The Seattle Public Library
Join to apply for the
Assistant Managing Librarian
role at
The Seattle Public Library
Invitation to Compete #54-25: Assistant Managing Librarian
Reference and Reader Services , Central Library, 1000 4th Ave., Seattle 98104
Regular, FLSA-exempt, benefitted, full-time, 80 hours per pay period
Salary Range: $108,116.64 - $131,189.04 annually
The hours for this position may include weekdays, weekends and evening, including Tuesday evenings and every third weekend. A pay period is two weeks in length that starts on Wednesday and ends on Tuesday. The schedule is subject to change based on the Library’s current operational need. This classification is part of a bargaining unit represented by AFSCME.
This position is open to the public and to The Seattle Public Library’s employees.
Please read the How to Apply section of this bulletin for more information. Candidates are asked to submit their application materials in NEOGOV
by 5:00 p.m. on November 23, 2025 .
Overview The Seattle Public Library is Seattle’s center of information and knowledge and one of the most popular and valued services in the city. Library staff members are highly regarded by the public for their knowledge, quality of service and caring. Staff members are committed to the Library’s organizational values of respect, partnership, engagement, diversity, transparency and recognition. In particular, they demonstrate respect, engage in partnerships, and are transparent in their communications and intentions. A strategic priority of the Library is to foster an internal culture of innovation which focuses on creativity, engagement, learning and staff development.
The Central Library serves a broad patron base including children and teens, immigrants, students, researchers, readers, people experiencing homelessness, and others seeking information resources, enrichment, and technology support. Central Library Information Services includes the following public service departments: Reference and Reader Services, Children and Teen Services, and the Quick Information Center.
The Reference and Reader Services Department consists of several teams of librarians and library associates that provide direct public service, programs, outreach and collection support. This Assistant Managing Librarian (AML) position will oversee the Business, Science, and Technology (BST) unit and other work units as needed. It will also oversee the coordination of virtual services including the Library’s chat and email services. The position is part of a supervisory team that reports to the Information Services Manager and works collaboratively to execute operations, to support and direct staff in providing services, programs and outreach at the Central Library, and to support Information Services throughout the system. The ideal candidate will be an honest and open communicator who inspires trust and seeks and sparks creative contributions from others.
Job Responsibilities
Works with the Information Services Manager and colleagues to manage the activities of assigned work units, including developing regional, unit, and individual workplans, providing broad direction and advice to staff on collections, service delivery, programs, outreach, and systemwide priorities.
Provides daily supervision and direction for staff including assigning and monitoring work, providing training and facilitating communications within assigned units and the broader department. Provides feedback, coaching, and performance management. Facilitates unit and cross-department meetings and conducts 1:1 meetings with direct reports.
Supports systemwide information services by leading or stewarding projects to set reference standards, innovate reference services for adults, and train staff on information service delivery.
Oversees coordination of Virtual Services for the system.
Supports librarians in developing and maintaining community partnerships and offering small- and large-scale programming and outreach for adults.
Provides collection maintenance oversight and coordination with Technical and Collection Services.
Participates in short and long-range planning, staff development, resource allocation, and service delivery planning activities. Supports Central Library staff members in developing and delivering innovative programming and community engagement initiatives with the public.
Serves as the building lead for the Central Library coordinating with Security, Facilities, Circulation Services and others to ensure the smooth and safe operation of the Central Library.
Develops daily schedules and takes sick calls for Central Library Information Services.
Models exemplary customer service and works in coordination with security and other library staff to enforce the Library’s Community Use Agreement (CUA) and maintain a safe, welcoming library environment. Supports staff in their efforts to enforce the CUA through training and coaching.
Supports individual staff and units in developing and growing a racial equity practice that eliminates barriers to access and platforms the voices of individuals and communities experiencing marginalization.
Qualifications
MLIS degree from an ALA-accredited library school, or Washington State certification as a librarian.
Five (5) years of professional librarian experience; minimum 2 years in an urban public library.
Minimum one year supervisory experience in a public library setting.
Knowledge of supervisory/management practices and principles in a work or volunteer setting, and experience supervising staff or volunteers, including the ability to train and inspire professional and support staff or volunteers, and promote enthusiastic teamwork.
Project management experience including planning, coordinating resources, monitoring progress, evaluation, and developing reports and informational materials.
Working knowledge of trends and issues related to library services, reference/readers advisory, programming, outreach, collections, and virtual services.
Demonstrated skill at coordinating projects across departments and divisions.
Commitment to developing and growing a racial equity practice; including but not limited to understanding the impacts of race and intersectionality in our larger systems, library policy, programs and services, and fostering that understanding within the team.
Excellent written and oral communication skills.
Demonstrated interpersonal communication, problem solving, customer relations and teamwork skills; a sense of humor; and the ability to demonstrate a positive and enthusiastic commitment to public service.
Working knowledge of PCs, online databases, Internet searching methods, and information resources.
A commitment to intellectual freedom and the Library’s missions and goals. Assume responsibility for how the Library is perceived by staff and the public. Respond to patron questions and concerns about collection development, public internet use, and patron confidentiality.
Preferred Qualification
Experience providing library services or engaging community in one or more of the content areas overseen by this position (business, science, technology).
How To Apply Candidates who meet the qualifications are asked to submit an online application in NEOGOV by
5:00 p.m. on November 23, 2025
to be considered for this position. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Complete online application including full responses to all supplemental questions.
A cover letter that describes how your experience and skills align with the stated job responsibilities and qualifications. Please let us know why you are interested in this position. 1 page maximum.
Current resume that summarizes relevant education, professional experience, training and skills. No page limit.
Applicants will be screened for competitiveness, completeness, and written communication skills. Initial screening will be based on a review of application materials. The employment history detailed in your application materials must validate/support your responses to the supplemental questions. If your responses cannot be validated, you will not proceed to the next steps of the review/selection process. The most competitive candidates will be invited to participate in a series of one or more interviews.
Benefits And Salary Information The full salary range for this position is $108,116.64 - $131,189.04 annually.
The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents. More information about employee benefits is available on the City’s website at: https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits/employees-and-covered-family-members/most-employees-plans
Information about retirement plans can be found at: https://www.seattle.gov/retirement
Additional Information If you have questions regarding this bulletin or employment at The Seattle Public Library, please send an email to job.applications@spl.org. The Library promotes diversity and inclusion in employment. If accommodations are needed during the selection process, please contact us.
Please keep in mind that job offers are contingent on a review of criminal history as well as verification of information provided by the applicant as part of the application process.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Assistant Managing Librarian
role at
The Seattle Public Library
Invitation to Compete #54-25: Assistant Managing Librarian
Reference and Reader Services , Central Library, 1000 4th Ave., Seattle 98104
Regular, FLSA-exempt, benefitted, full-time, 80 hours per pay period
Salary Range: $108,116.64 - $131,189.04 annually
The hours for this position may include weekdays, weekends and evening, including Tuesday evenings and every third weekend. A pay period is two weeks in length that starts on Wednesday and ends on Tuesday. The schedule is subject to change based on the Library’s current operational need. This classification is part of a bargaining unit represented by AFSCME.
This position is open to the public and to The Seattle Public Library’s employees.
Please read the How to Apply section of this bulletin for more information. Candidates are asked to submit their application materials in NEOGOV
by 5:00 p.m. on November 23, 2025 .
Overview The Seattle Public Library is Seattle’s center of information and knowledge and one of the most popular and valued services in the city. Library staff members are highly regarded by the public for their knowledge, quality of service and caring. Staff members are committed to the Library’s organizational values of respect, partnership, engagement, diversity, transparency and recognition. In particular, they demonstrate respect, engage in partnerships, and are transparent in their communications and intentions. A strategic priority of the Library is to foster an internal culture of innovation which focuses on creativity, engagement, learning and staff development.
The Central Library serves a broad patron base including children and teens, immigrants, students, researchers, readers, people experiencing homelessness, and others seeking information resources, enrichment, and technology support. Central Library Information Services includes the following public service departments: Reference and Reader Services, Children and Teen Services, and the Quick Information Center.
The Reference and Reader Services Department consists of several teams of librarians and library associates that provide direct public service, programs, outreach and collection support. This Assistant Managing Librarian (AML) position will oversee the Business, Science, and Technology (BST) unit and other work units as needed. It will also oversee the coordination of virtual services including the Library’s chat and email services. The position is part of a supervisory team that reports to the Information Services Manager and works collaboratively to execute operations, to support and direct staff in providing services, programs and outreach at the Central Library, and to support Information Services throughout the system. The ideal candidate will be an honest and open communicator who inspires trust and seeks and sparks creative contributions from others.
Job Responsibilities
Works with the Information Services Manager and colleagues to manage the activities of assigned work units, including developing regional, unit, and individual workplans, providing broad direction and advice to staff on collections, service delivery, programs, outreach, and systemwide priorities.
Provides daily supervision and direction for staff including assigning and monitoring work, providing training and facilitating communications within assigned units and the broader department. Provides feedback, coaching, and performance management. Facilitates unit and cross-department meetings and conducts 1:1 meetings with direct reports.
Supports systemwide information services by leading or stewarding projects to set reference standards, innovate reference services for adults, and train staff on information service delivery.
Oversees coordination of Virtual Services for the system.
Supports librarians in developing and maintaining community partnerships and offering small- and large-scale programming and outreach for adults.
Provides collection maintenance oversight and coordination with Technical and Collection Services.
Participates in short and long-range planning, staff development, resource allocation, and service delivery planning activities. Supports Central Library staff members in developing and delivering innovative programming and community engagement initiatives with the public.
Serves as the building lead for the Central Library coordinating with Security, Facilities, Circulation Services and others to ensure the smooth and safe operation of the Central Library.
Develops daily schedules and takes sick calls for Central Library Information Services.
Models exemplary customer service and works in coordination with security and other library staff to enforce the Library’s Community Use Agreement (CUA) and maintain a safe, welcoming library environment. Supports staff in their efforts to enforce the CUA through training and coaching.
Supports individual staff and units in developing and growing a racial equity practice that eliminates barriers to access and platforms the voices of individuals and communities experiencing marginalization.
Qualifications
MLIS degree from an ALA-accredited library school, or Washington State certification as a librarian.
Five (5) years of professional librarian experience; minimum 2 years in an urban public library.
Minimum one year supervisory experience in a public library setting.
Knowledge of supervisory/management practices and principles in a work or volunteer setting, and experience supervising staff or volunteers, including the ability to train and inspire professional and support staff or volunteers, and promote enthusiastic teamwork.
Project management experience including planning, coordinating resources, monitoring progress, evaluation, and developing reports and informational materials.
Working knowledge of trends and issues related to library services, reference/readers advisory, programming, outreach, collections, and virtual services.
Demonstrated skill at coordinating projects across departments and divisions.
Commitment to developing and growing a racial equity practice; including but not limited to understanding the impacts of race and intersectionality in our larger systems, library policy, programs and services, and fostering that understanding within the team.
Excellent written and oral communication skills.
Demonstrated interpersonal communication, problem solving, customer relations and teamwork skills; a sense of humor; and the ability to demonstrate a positive and enthusiastic commitment to public service.
Working knowledge of PCs, online databases, Internet searching methods, and information resources.
A commitment to intellectual freedom and the Library’s missions and goals. Assume responsibility for how the Library is perceived by staff and the public. Respond to patron questions and concerns about collection development, public internet use, and patron confidentiality.
Preferred Qualification
Experience providing library services or engaging community in one or more of the content areas overseen by this position (business, science, technology).
How To Apply Candidates who meet the qualifications are asked to submit an online application in NEOGOV by
5:00 p.m. on November 23, 2025
to be considered for this position. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Complete online application including full responses to all supplemental questions.
A cover letter that describes how your experience and skills align with the stated job responsibilities and qualifications. Please let us know why you are interested in this position. 1 page maximum.
Current resume that summarizes relevant education, professional experience, training and skills. No page limit.
Applicants will be screened for competitiveness, completeness, and written communication skills. Initial screening will be based on a review of application materials. The employment history detailed in your application materials must validate/support your responses to the supplemental questions. If your responses cannot be validated, you will not proceed to the next steps of the review/selection process. The most competitive candidates will be invited to participate in a series of one or more interviews.
Benefits And Salary Information The full salary range for this position is $108,116.64 - $131,189.04 annually.
The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents. More information about employee benefits is available on the City’s website at: https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits/employees-and-covered-family-members/most-employees-plans
Information about retirement plans can be found at: https://www.seattle.gov/retirement
Additional Information If you have questions regarding this bulletin or employment at The Seattle Public Library, please send an email to job.applications@spl.org. The Library promotes diversity and inclusion in employment. If accommodations are needed during the selection process, please contact us.
Please keep in mind that job offers are contingent on a review of criminal history as well as verification of information provided by the applicant as part of the application process.
#J-18808-Ljbffr