Principal Librarian – 4180 – Page 3
County of Alameda 4180
PRINCIPAL LIBRARIAN
DEFINITION
Under the general direction of a Deputy County Librarian, is responsible for the operation of the Main Library, the branch libraries, the Library's Technical Services or a combination of these.
DISTINGUISHING FEATURES
The incumbents of this class direct the implementation of plans and programs for the Public Services or the Technical Services of the Alameda County Library System, as determined by the Library Administration and in consultation with the Program Coordinators. Incumbents in the class of Principal Librarian are distinguished from incumbents in the class of Librarian IV by having responsibility for the full range of public service programs, as well as supervisory responsibility for the complex operation of the Main Library, Technical Services or the branch libraries.
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES
NOTE: The following are the duties performed by employees in this classification. However, employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level. Each individual in the classification does not necessarily perform all duties listed.
1. Trains, supervises, and advises Branch Managers, Main Library Managers, or Technical Services Supervising Librarian managers; provides direction in establishing and maintaining community contacts; assumes responsibility for major community contacts for the Main Library; evaluates managers' performance.
2. Reviews requests of Branch Managers or Main Library or Technical Services unit heads for staff, equipment, materials and program budget needs, and makes recommendations to Library Administration.
3. Participates as a member of the administrative management team of the County Library.
4. Participates in the personnel selection process; advises on personnel operations and staff development within the branch or unit.
5. Prepares evaluation reports on Main Library or Technical Services or branch library operations, as needed, for Library Administration.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Either I
The equivalent of three years’ full-time experience as a Supervising Librarian I, or the equivalent of two years’ full-time experience as a Supervising Librarian II in the Alameda County classified service. (Non-classified includes District Attorney’s Office, Hospital Authority, and the Consolidated Courts.)
Possession of a master's degree in Library Science is preferred.
Or II
Possession of a master's degree in Library Science awarded by an ALA accredited college or university,
And
The equivalent of four years’ full-time, responsible professional experience, including the equivalent of two years’ full-time supervisory responsibilities.
NOTE: The Civil Service Commission may modify the above Minimum Qualifications in the announcement of an examination.
KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES
NOTE: The level and scope of the following knowledge and abilities are related to duties listed under the "Examples of Duties" section of this specification.
Knowledge of:
· Principles and practices of librarianship, including bibliographic entry, reference work, children's services, cataloging, library automation.
· Public library programs and their relationship to community needs.
· Principles of supervision and management.
· Books, periodicals, and audiovisual formats in general use.
· Library automation applications and practices.
· Printed and automated reference resources.
· Library business methods, procedures, and practices.
· Budgeting principles and practices.
· Current technical services trends and practices.
Abilities:
· Implementing system-wide policies, procedures and services.
· Planning and organizing operations of a large, complex organization.
· Problem solving and analyzing.
· Making decisions, exercise judgment.
KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES - Continued
Abilities: - Continued
· Providing management control.
· Demonstrating leadership.
· Exercising interpersonal sensitivity.
· Communicate effectively, orally and in writing.
· Using personal computer hardware and software.
· Making presentations on library services and materials to the public.
· Preparing written reports.
· Giving general direction to subordinate managers and help them improve their managerial skills.
· Understanding and interpreting developments within a community and the County as a whole in relationship to the Library system.
HC:sle
Revised: 11/79
JGS:mad
Updated: 11/87
JGS:pb
Revised: 12/92
Old document: 0389h
New document: Jobspecs/4180
ys/5/01
CSC Date: 12/16/92