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Black Caucus of the American Library Association

ASSOCIATE LIBRARY DIRECTOR

Black Caucus of the American Library Association, WI, United States

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Introduction

THIS POSITION IS EXEMPT FROM CIVIL SERVICE

Appointment and continued employment are at the pleasure of the Milwaukee Public Library Director.

The City of Milwaukee is proud to employ a diverse workforce that is committed to providing exemplary service to the City’s residents. If you have a passion for being a part of an inclusive team of public servants, please consider the following opportunity.

Purpose

Are you a visionary leader passionate about equitable access to knowledge, community engagement, and innovative public services? The Milwaukee Public Library (MPL) is looking for a new Associate Library Director of Patron Experience & Strategy. The ideal candidate will be a forward-thinking, people-focused trailblazer who’s excited to shape how public services are delivered across our 13 neighborhood libraries. If you're passionate about public libraries, thrive on collaboration, and have a talent for turning vision into action, we’d love to hear from you.

The Associate Library Director provides high-level community service operations and oversight that supports the extensive public-facing operations of Milwaukee Public Library. Additionally, the Associate Library Director provides ongoing leadership and direction to senior management for impactful decision-making, helping plan for the future while keeping services responsive, welcoming, and community-centered for people throughout the City of Milwaukee.

Essential Functions

Public Services and Strategic Initiatives:

  • Lead the Patron Experience & Strategy Unit which includes the Central Library, Branch Libraries, Programming & Events, Youth, Education, & Outreach Services, and the Wisconsin Talking Book and Braille Library.
  • Lead the development of service models to ensure outstanding customer experiences that are responsive to and meet the needs of the community.
  • Work with the Communications and Community Engagement Director on enhancing and elevating public service programs.
  • Work in partnership with the Library Director in developing the policies, programs, and long-range plans of the Library's Board of Trustees.
  • Work closely with the Library Director and the MPL leadership team to ensure organizational funding and budgets support the strategic organizational goals and the public facing service needs.
  • Assess and evaluate existing programs and services to determine public facing needs for the future seeking opportunities for streamlining and uses data and surveys to review impacts.
  • Analyze existing services in relationship to strategic and funding priorities to expand the library’s capacity to fulfill its mission and initiatives.
  • Lead and direct the internal committees and partners that support vital services.
  • Establish staffing patterns, goals, and objectives for the public services team.
  • Develop policies, procedures, and institutional benchmarks with peer public libraries.
  • Evaluate customer services and service delivery to maintain strong and consistent public facing interactions throughout the system.

Community and Strategic Partnerships Development:

  • Work closely with the Library Director, the MPL Foundation, and the MPL board to maximize financial and growth opportunities that support the mission via grants and collaborations.
  • Provide content and direction for new grants and privately funded projects and work with the Foundation and staff on crafting proposals for funding.
  • Work with internal teams in leading program design efforts for proposed projects including outcomes, measures, and evaluation plans.
  • Determine need for consultant support, identifies funding, creates scope of service and ensures accountability.
  • Assume responsibility under the Library Director (as needed) as an official MPL representative at other City of Milwaukee Committees and meetings.
  • Supervise the community public services partnerships in order that the approaches are consistent in all areas of MPL Public Services.
  • Act as a liaison for MPL with the Milwaukee County Federated Library System.
  • Serve as a contact with the State of Wisconsin through the Department of Public Instruction.

Performance Management and Customer Service Leadership:

  • Select, train, and evaluate management and reference personnel involved in Public Service arena.
  • Set standards and coach public service managers and supervisors on current trends and best practices in customer service and communication skills.
  • Receive, investigate, evaluate and act upon complex complaints and suggestions from residents and organizations pertaining to public services.
  • Apply and interpret Library Board and city policies in multifaceted public facing situations.
  • Keep current with and contributes to technical, professional, and relevant business literature.
  • Maintain liaison with other major urban libraries throughout the nation and serve as liaison with other special libraries and information agencies, community groups and local officials.

We welcome qualified individuals with disabilities who are interested in employment and will make reasonable accommodations during the hiring process in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, as amended by the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA) of 2008.

Conditions of Employment

  • Ability to work flexible work hours, some evening and weekend hours, in excess of 40 hours per week.
  • Ability to travel to all 13 Milwaukee Public Library locations on a regular bas
  • File a Statement of Economic Interests in accordance with the Milwaukee Code of Ordinances Chapter 303-Code of Ethics.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities & Other Characteristics

Technical:

  • Knowledge of modern public library goals, organization, practices, policies, goals, services, administration, and reference services.
  • Ability to learn the workings of the MPL system, including its policies, functions, relationships, and resources.
  • Ability to read and interpret a wide variety of job-related documents; broad knowledge of subject disciplines and wide-ranging reading interests.
  • Knowledge of computers, online catalogs, databases, networks, and their applications for library use; proficiency using word processing, spreadsheet, and database software.
  • Understanding of the social responsibilities of an urban public library in an era of information access and technological change.
  • Knowledge of research methods, development, and the preservation and organization of research and reference collections.
  • Ability to promote innovative programming and public service development.
  • Knowledge of budgeting processes to be able to assist with complex budget development and management.
  • Ability to acquire knowledge of building renovation planning and processes.

Leadership and Supervisory:

  • Flexibility and skill in encouraging staff to solve problems in the interest of providing the highest quality public service.
  • Ability to execute the full spectrum of management duties, including ability to interview, onboard, train, coach, motivate, discipline, and evaluate staff.
  • Ability to foster an environment of inclusion wherein all employees are treated respectfully, are valued for their strengths, and feel that they can safely express themselves.
  • Ability to represent the library consistent with MPL's vision, mission, and strategic plan.

Communication and Interpersonal:

  • Skill in tactfully and respectfully addressing sensitive situations with patrons who may be experiencing difficult personal issues.
  • Community outreach skills to build relationships with community partners.
  • Customer service knowledge and skill.
  • Ability to work effectively with multilevel, multicultural managers and staff, elected officials, board members, other City employees, vendors, community groups, and patrons from all socioeconomic, educational, literacy, and cultural backgrounds.
  • Verbal communication and presentation skills to share information in a clear and concise manner to various audiences, both formal and informal.
  • Written communication skills to be able to write clear reports, correspondence, policies, procedures, and publication-ready articles.

Judgment and Critical Thinking:

  • Critical thinking skills to be able to creatively solve challenging, multifaceted problems, make sound decisions, and marshal library system resources for the benefit of the community.
  • Organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet frequent deadlines.
  • Skill in performing detailed, independent work with a high degree of accuracy.
  • Situational awareness and observational skills to be able to mitigate potential safety incidents.
  • Professionalism, honesty, integrity, ability to maintain confidentiality, and responsible stewardship of City resources.
  • Intellectual curiosity as well as a commitment to staying apprised of developments in library management.

Current Salary

The current salary range (Pay Range 1OX) is$119,080-$164,445annually, and the current resident incentive salary range for City of Milwaukee residents is$122,652-$169,378annually.Appointment above the minimum is possible based upon the level of experience and other qualifications and is subject to approval.

BENEFITS

The City of Milwaukee provides a comprehensive benefit program which includes:

  • Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) Defined Benefit Pension Plan
  • 457 Deferred Compensation Plan
  • Health and Dental Insurance
  • Paid Parental Leave
  • Comprehensive Wellness Program
  • Onsite Clinic Services
  • Onsite Employee Assistance Program
  • Alternative Work Schedules
  • Long Term Disability Insurance
  • Group Life Insurance
  • Tuition Benefits
  • Paid Vacation
  • 12 Paid Holidays
  • Paid Sick Leave and other paid leaves
  • Flexible Spending Arrangement
  • Commuter Value Pass

For full details of the benefits offered by the City of Milwaukee, please visithttps://city.milwaukee.gov/der/benefits.

Selection Process

THE SELECTION PROCESS

  • Screening for this position will be based on an evaluation of each applicant’s education, experience, and professional accomplishments, which must be detailed in a cover letter and resume.
  • Cover letter and resume must be sent via email to MPLJobs@milwaukee.gov by11:59 pm, Friday,August 22, 2025.
  • Please indicate “Associate Library Director” in the subject line of the email message.
  • The City of Milwaukee reserves the right to invite only the most qualified applicants to participate in the selection process.

INITIAL FILING DATE –

  • The selection process will be conducted as soon as practical after the deadline listed above.
  • Receipt of application materials may be discontinued at any time after this date without prior notice. However, recruitment may continue until the needs of the City have been met. The applicant is responsible for attending all phases of the job selection process at the time and place designated by the City of Milwaukee.

Additional Information

Inquiries regarding the selection process may be directed to Danielle Wrobleski by calling 414-286-3077 or via email at MPLJobs@milwaukee.gov

Conclusion

EEO Code 101

The City of Milwaukee values and encourages diversity and is an equal opportunity employer.

Minimum Requirements

  1. Master’s degree in library and information science from an ALA-accredited library information program.
  2. Four years of post MLIS library management experience as an administrator of a major library division, an independent municipal library, a central library in an urban setting, an administrator of a public service operation in a neighborhood library unit, or as coordinator in a major subject area.
  3. Valid Driver’s License at the time of appointment and throughout employment. Private automobile allowance may be paid pursuant to Section 350-183 of the Milwaukee Code.
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