Library Branch Manager - White Marsh Job at Baltimore County Public Library in W

At BCPL, staff members have the opportunity to enrich individual lives and build strong communities by delivering exceptional customer experiences, establishing meaningful partnerships, and creating innovative learning spaces. BCPL circulates over 10 million items and provides library services through its 19 branches, 4 mobile library vehicles, and an extensive outreach network. If you are forward‑thinking and passionate about public service, consider joining BCPL in this position.

Schedule

This is a full‑time position working 40 hours per week. All library branch staff will be required to work evenings, Saturdays, and Sundays throughout the year as part of the normal work schedule.

Job Summary

Under the general direction of the Regional Customer Experience Manager, the Library Branch Manager is responsible for the overall leadership and daily operations of a public library branch. This includes oversight of circulation, collection development, information services, programming, and community outreach. The Library Branch Manager oversees branch operations by setting goals, implementing policies, and evaluating outcomes to improve performance. They ensure compliance with regulations, recommend process improvements, and contribute to system‑wide planning as a confidential member of the management team. The Library Branch Manager leads and supports a diverse team, ensuring staff are engaged, trained, and aligned with the library system’s values and service priorities. They will direct and approve the planning, prioritizing, assigning, supervising, training, and reviewing the work of a diverse workforce. They act as a resource and provide direction, guidance, and leadership to staff and will advise on complex and sensitive concerns. They may select, direct, and manage the work of contractors and consultants. The Library Branch Manager fosters a welcoming, inclusive, high‑performing branch culture that reflects community needs and advances system‑wide goals. They serve as the primary point of contact for resolving customer, staff, and facility issues and represent the branch in leadership groups and cross‑functional initiatives. Through strategic planning, collaboration, and a strong customer service orientation, the Library Branch Manager ensures high‑quality library experiences that support learning, connection, and equitable access for all community members.

Core Competencies and Key Responsibilities

• Cultivates a culture of curiosity, innovation, collaboration, accountability, and belonging across the organization.
• Models and upholds standards for internal and external customer service excellence.
• Leads through collaboration, team building, and consultation; mentors, coaches, and models these behaviors for others.
• Inspires resilience, strategic thinking, and solution‑focused approaches among staff.
• Creates a work environment that fosters continuous improvement, values teamwork, and supports strong employee morale.
• Collaborates with branch and department managers and administration to provide overall system leadership.
• Models continuous learning through seminars, workshops, professional affiliations, and other means to stay current with emerging trends.
• Champions diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility initiatives within the branch and broader library system.
• Fosters a positive and inclusive workplace culture by engaging in labor relations efforts, such as participating in collective bargaining negotiations and/or serving on the Labor Management Committee.
• Serves as a Change Agent, showing adaptability and creative thinking in managing change, resolving challenges, and improving services.

Staff Management & Development

• Leads and supports a diverse team of direct and indirect reports, fostering collaboration and high performance.
• Hires, trains, supervises, mentors, coaches, and holds management staff accountable to performance expectations and recommends discipline and terminations. Oversees recruitment, onboarding, training, development, supervision, and evaluation of all branch staff. Encourages and supports continuous staff development.
• Sets and monitors performance expectations and customer service goals collaboratively with branch management and system leadership.
• Evaluates management staff performance, develops Performance Improvement Plans (PIPs), determines merit salary increases, fosters professional growth, and initiates corrective actions when necessary.
• May serve as BCPL’s representative in mediations and arbitrations. Addresses and resolves staff concerns and grievances promptly and effectively.
• Facilitates regular one‑on‑one and group staff meetings to communicate priorities, gather feedback, and promote team cohesion.
• Develops and maintains comprehensive knowledge of library policies and procedures, serving as a resource and guide to staff and customers.

Operations & Facility Management

• Oversees and is responsible for all daily branch operations.
• Manages building issues, security incidents, customer concerns, and staff emergencies.
• Ensures delivery of high‑quality library services and resources that meet community needs through collaboration with staff and external partners.
• Performs essential customer service, librarian and circulation functions as needed.
• Develops, administers, assists, and monitors budgets; develops justifications for budgetary recommendations and/or adjustments; participates in forecasting additional funds for staffing and resources; identifies, obtains, and manages funding from grants and community partners; participates in the interpretation, negotiation, management, and enforcement of contracts; coordinates the finalization of budgets to ensure timely submissions of the department budget.
• Manages branch facilities, ensuring cleanliness, safety, and functionality, and coordinates maintenance and repair requests.
• Partners with Chief Operating Officer to identify short‑term and long‑term capital priorities, offering strategic input on design and implementation.
• Ensures compliance with all health, safety, and security regulations and library system policies.

Programming & Community Engagement

• Collaborates with branch management and community organizations to ensure library services reflect and meet community interests and needs.
• Collaborates with the Chief External Affairs Officer to develop partnerships with schools, local agencies, and community groups to promote library services and programs.
• In collaboration with the Senior Manager of Partnerships and Public Programs, conducts community needs assessments to guide program development and resource allocation.
• Advocates for the library at public forums and community events.

Job Requirements

• Minimum Qualifications
  • Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college.
  • Comprehensive knowledge of library or customer service operations acquired through six (6) years of progressively responsible work experience in a public library or customer service setting.
  • Three (3) years of supervisory experience.
  • For non‑MLS/MLIS candidates: Successful completion of the Library Associates Training Institute (LATI) within two (2) years of date of hire, or 90 hours toward MLS from an ALA accredited college within two (2) years of date of hire with completion of MLS within three (3) years of date of hire.
  • MLS, MLIS or similar degree from an ALA accredited college will be accepted in lieu of two (2) years of experience and must have or be able to secure Maryland State Department of Education Professional Librarian Certification.
• Physical Requirements
  • Sit, stand, and walk for extended periods of time (up to 2 hours at a time).
  • Lift and carry materials weighing up to 25 pounds.
  • Push or pull materials on a wheeled cart weighing up to 100 pounds.
  • Bend, reach, stoop, and climb short step stools or ladders to access library materials and equipment.
  • Operate standard office equipment, computers, and library technology with accuracy and efficiency.
  • Communicate effectively in person, by telephone, and electronically.
  • Concentrate on detailed tasks for 30 minutes or more at a time.
  • Receive detailed information through oral communication.
  • Exhibit or exchange ideas by means of the spoken word, including the ability to convey detailed or important spoken instruction to other workers accurately and concisely.
  • Have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing, viewing a computer terminal; and/or extensive reading.
• Benefits

  The Library offers an excellent benefits package that includes pay holidays, 20 vacation days, 15 sick days, and seven personal days per year. In addition the Library also offers health, dental, vision, life, voluntary long‑term disability, pension, deferred compensation, an employee assistance program, flex spending, and Commuter Choice parking and transit accounts.