City of Los Angeles, CA
DIVISION LIBRARIAN Job at City of Los Angeles, CA in Los Angeles
City of Los Angeles, CA, Los Angeles, CA, US, 90079
Salary: $153,948.00 - $225,086.00 Annually
Location : CITY OF LOS ANGELES, CA
Job Type: FULL-TIME
Job Number: 6157 OP 2025/12/05 R
Department: Library
Opening Date: 12/05/2025
Closing Date: 12/18/2025 11:59 PM Pacific
DUTIES
ANNUAL SALARY
$153,948 to $225,086
NOTE:
Annual salary is at the start of the pay range. The current salary range is subject to change. Please confirm the starting salary with the hiring department before accepting a job offer.
A Division Librarian plans, organizes, and directs the work of professional and support library personnel who are providing library services to the public or facilitate library services in a major division of the Los Angeles Public Library; heads a major library division such as Central Library Services, Branch Library Services, Emerging Technologies and Collections, or Engagement and Learning; assists with budget and financial reporting; assists with strategic planning activities; may represent the Library Department before elected officials, municipal agencies, and other public and private organizations; applies sound supervisory and management principles and techniques in building and maintaining an effective work force; and fulfills equal employment opportunity responsibilities.
REQUIREMENT(S)/MINIMUM QUALIFICATION(S)
Applications will only be accepted on-line. When you are viewing the on-line job bulletin of your choice, simply scroll to the top of the page and select the "Apply" icon. On-line job bulletins are also available at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/lacity.
NOTE:
Applicants are urged to apply early to ensure you have time to resolve any technical issues you may encounter.
Applications must be received by THURSDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2025
In accordance with Civil Service Rule 4.2, all applicants who apply may not be tested in this examination. To meet anticipated hiring needs, only a limited number of qualified applicants will be invited to participate in the selection process in the following order: 1) Los Angeles City Promotional applicants who meet the minimum requirements. You must have received a regular appointment to a City position or be on a reserve list to apply for this position as a promotional candidate; 2) Applicants currently employed by the City of Los Angeles on a part-time or exempt basis who meet the minimum requirements; 3) Remaining applicants who meet the minimum requirements in sufficient numbers to meet hiring needs based on a random sampling of those qualified candidates. Applications submitted during the filing period may be kept on file in the event that additional applicants need to be tested to meet hiring needs.
SELECTION PROCESS
Examination Weights:
Interview - 100%
The examination score will be based entirely on the interview. In the interview, emphasis may be placed on the candidate's experience, training, and professional development as they have provided the knowledge of: mission, goals, and services of public libraries; administrative and professional issues within the library profession and strategies for addressing them; principles and procedures of library organization and administration, including policy formulation, budget preparation, employee selection, development, and coordination of activities and services; design, construction, and planning for library buildings; general project management principles; collection development, maintenance, access, and acquisition policies, principles, and practices of Public Libraries; best practices, traditional and emerging technology, and innovation in public libraries; the value of diversity in a workforce, library programs, and communities; effective safety and security principles and practices; fundamental principles and practices of supervision, including directing, assigning, motivating, training, counseling, disciplining, commending, and evaluating the work of subordinates; pertinent City and Personnel Department rules, policies and procedures, including Equal Employment Opportunity responsibilities; and the ability to: use appropriate techniques for conflict resolution; use independent judgment to analyze and effectively solve problems and plan for the future; address and resolve employee issues and grievances; plan, organize, and direct the activities of a major library division; establish and maintain a work environment to enhance employee morale, adaptability, and effectiveness; plan and develop approaches for leadership development, staff empowerment, and training; speak effectively before groups; deal tactfully and effectively with other library managers, City department heads, elected officials and their staff, Library Commission members, subordinate supervisors and employees, media, the public, and other stakeholders; work, coordinate, and function with a diverse workforce; develop, communicate vision, and build consensus for library initiatives; prepare and edit correspondence reports in an accurate and complete manner using principles of proper English usage, punctuation, spelling, and grammar; and other necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities.
Candidates will be notified by e-mail of the date, time, and location of the interview, which may be held in the City of Los Angeles or online. It is anticipated that interviews will begin during the period of MONDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2026 to FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2026.
NOTES:
Notice:
If you receive and accept an offer of employment to a regular position with the City of Los Angeles, your employee benefit coverage (including health and dental coverage, as well as life insurance) will commence approximately six weeks after your original appointment. Not all positions in the City receive benefit coverage; you should inquire regarding the availability of employee benefits prior to accepting a position. All City employees are required to be Disaster Service Workers.
THIS EXAMINATION IS TO BE GIVEN BOTH ON AN
INTERDEPARTMENTAL PROMOTIONAL AND OPEN COMPETITIVE BASIS
The City of Los Angeles does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, creed, color, ancestry, medical condition (cancer), or Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome.
AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
For additional information and FAQs regarding the City's hiring process, please go to: https://personnel.lacity.gov/faqs/employment-testing-process.html
There are many things to consider in a new employer. Visit the following webpage to view benefits the City of Los Angeles offers its employees:
01
To be PROPERLY AND PROMPTLY notified of the status of my application, I UNDERSTAND that I MUST provide on my City application, the following information:
-Working E-mail address
-Telephone Number
-Official social security number
I UNDERSTAND that I MUST provide a working email address on my application where I will receive notifications regarding the status of my application and the selection process.
I UNDERSTAND that important information regarding the status of my application and the selection process will only be sent via E-MAIL to the email address I provided.
I UNDERSTAND that it is MY RESPONSIBILITY to ensure that the email address I provided is a working email and that I will check my email regularly to ensure I receive any communication as it relates to the examination promptly.
I UNDERSTAND that the City of Los Angeles Personnel Department is NOT RESPONSIBLE for any lost or redirected emails and that it is MY RESPONSIBILITY to add info@governmentjobs.com to my email contact list to avoid email notifications related to this examination from being classified as "spam" or "junk" mail.
I UNDERSTAND that I am required to describe, IN DETAIL, my appropriate qualifying experience in the Work Experience Section of my application.
I UNDERSTAND that, if qualifying with my City experience, that I MUST indicate my appropriate job classification in my work history and NOT ANY WORKING TITLE that I believe is designated to me.
I UNDERSTAND that if I attach a resume and/or cover letter IN LIEU of completing the Work Experience Section, my application is INCOMPLETE and WILL NOT be considered for this examination, and my application WILL NOT be further processed.
In addition to including my qualifying experience, I UNDERSTAND that I should list ALL jobs, regardless of duration, including part-time jobs, military service and any periods of unemployment during my entire work history.
03
I am currently:
04
REQUIREMENT #1
QUESTION 1 of 1
I have the following amount of full-time paid professional experience as a Principal Librarian with the City of Los Angeles:
NOTE: You MUST provide detailed information of this experience in the Work History Section of your application. Failure to provide this information may result in your disqualification from this examination.
05
REQUIREMENT #2
QUESTION 1 of 5
I have a master's degree in Library Science or Library and Information Science from a school accredited by the American Library Association.
NOTE: Qualifying education must be from a college or university accredited by the American Library Association. A list of approved institutions can be found at https://www.ala.org/educationcareers/accreditedprograms/directory.
06
REQUIREMENT #2
QUESTION 2 of 5
For the education that you are claiming in the previous question, enter your school name accredited by the American Library Association, the location, type of degree earned, major, and graduation date.
Example: University of Southern California - Los Angeles, CA - Master of Management - Library and Information Science - May 2019
If you are applying under a different requirement, enter "N/A."
07
REQUIREMENT #2
QUESTION 3 of 5
I have the following amount of full-time paid professional librarian experience, at the level of Principal Librarian, working in areas such as:
- Coordinating and developing library services, establishing library operating policies and procedures, and effectively utilizing library personnel to ensure full public services throughout a library system or region;
- Administering the maintenance and development of a library materials collection throughout a library system, region, or in a central library subject department;
- Administering cooperative programs with schools, community groups, and businesses to define appropriate library services throughout a library system or region.
NOTES:
*To be considered "professional," qualifying experience must be gained in positions requiring a master's degree in Library Science or Library and Information Science.
*You MUST provide detailed information of this experience in the Work History Section of your application. Failure to provide this information may result in your disqualification from this examination.
08
REQUIREMENT #2
QUESTION 4 of 5
In the text box below, enter your qualifying job title(s) and employer(s) which you are claiming professional librarian experience in the previous question at the level of Principal Librarian.
Example: Principal Librarian - ABC Library
If you are applying under a different requirement, enter "N/A."
09
REQUIREMENT #2
QUESTION 5 of 5
For the job title(s) that you listed in the previous question, please describe your professional librarian experience working in areas such as:
- Coordinating and developing library services, establishing library operating policies and procedures, and effectively utilizing library personnel to ensure full public services throughout a library system or region;
- Administering the maintenance and development of a library materials collection throughout a library system, region, or in a central library subject department;
- Administering cooperative programs with schools, community groups, and businesses to define appropriate library services throughout a library system or region.
If you are applying under a different requirement, enter "N/A."
10
IMPORTANT NOTE:I have read the above questions carefully and answered each one accurately. I understand that if I do not provide correct information that my application will be disqualified and will not be considered further for this examination.
I understand that if I submit more than one application, my newest application will be considered and all others will be considered duplicates and will not be reviewed.
You should include in the work experience section of your application any jobs you wish to be considered as you will be unable to add or change your information after submission.
Required Question
Location : CITY OF LOS ANGELES, CA
Job Type: FULL-TIME
Job Number: 6157 OP 2025/12/05 R
Department: Library
Opening Date: 12/05/2025
Closing Date: 12/18/2025 11:59 PM Pacific
DUTIES
ANNUAL SALARY
$153,948 to $225,086
NOTE:
Annual salary is at the start of the pay range. The current salary range is subject to change. Please confirm the starting salary with the hiring department before accepting a job offer.
A Division Librarian plans, organizes, and directs the work of professional and support library personnel who are providing library services to the public or facilitate library services in a major division of the Los Angeles Public Library; heads a major library division such as Central Library Services, Branch Library Services, Emerging Technologies and Collections, or Engagement and Learning; assists with budget and financial reporting; assists with strategic planning activities; may represent the Library Department before elected officials, municipal agencies, and other public and private organizations; applies sound supervisory and management principles and techniques in building and maintaining an effective work force; and fulfills equal employment opportunity responsibilities.
REQUIREMENT(S)/MINIMUM QUALIFICATION(S)
- Two years of full-time paid professional experience as a Principal Librarian with the City of Los Angeles; or
- A master's degree in Library Science or Library and Information Science from a school accredited by the American Library Association and two years of full-time paid professional librarian experience, at the level of Principal Librarian, working in areas such as:
- Coordinating and developing library services, establishing library operating policies and procedures, and effectively utilizing library personnel to ensure full public services throughout a library system or region;
- Administering the maintenance and development of a library materials collection throughout a library system, region, or in a central library subject department;
- Administering cooperative programs with schools, community groups, and businesses to define appropriate library services throughout a library system or region.
- Applicants who lack six months or less of the required experience at the time of filing may file for this examination. However, they cannot be appointed until the full experience requirement is met.
- In Requirement #2, the term "professional librarian experience" applies to positions that require possession of a master's degree in Library Science or Library and Information Science from a school accredited by the American Library Association in order to obtain that position. Therefore, to be considered "professional," qualifying experience must be gained in positions requiring such a degree.
- Experience working in a diverse community and supervising a minimum staff of 50 is especially desired.
- Please note that qualifying education must be from a college or university accredited by the American Library Association. A list of approved institutions can be found at https://www.ala.org/educationcareers/accreditedprograms/directory.
- Candidates completing the examination process and qualifying under Requirement #2 will be contacted by the Personnel Department to provide required proof of qualifying degree. Applicants who wish to expedite this process may attach a copy of their qualifying degree to their on-line application at the time of filling in the Attachments section.
Applications will only be accepted on-line. When you are viewing the on-line job bulletin of your choice, simply scroll to the top of the page and select the "Apply" icon. On-line job bulletins are also available at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/lacity.
NOTE:
Applicants are urged to apply early to ensure you have time to resolve any technical issues you may encounter.
Applications must be received by THURSDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2025
In accordance with Civil Service Rule 4.2, all applicants who apply may not be tested in this examination. To meet anticipated hiring needs, only a limited number of qualified applicants will be invited to participate in the selection process in the following order: 1) Los Angeles City Promotional applicants who meet the minimum requirements. You must have received a regular appointment to a City position or be on a reserve list to apply for this position as a promotional candidate; 2) Applicants currently employed by the City of Los Angeles on a part-time or exempt basis who meet the minimum requirements; 3) Remaining applicants who meet the minimum requirements in sufficient numbers to meet hiring needs based on a random sampling of those qualified candidates. Applications submitted during the filing period may be kept on file in the event that additional applicants need to be tested to meet hiring needs.
SELECTION PROCESS
Examination Weights:
Interview - 100%
The examination score will be based entirely on the interview. In the interview, emphasis may be placed on the candidate's experience, training, and professional development as they have provided the knowledge of: mission, goals, and services of public libraries; administrative and professional issues within the library profession and strategies for addressing them; principles and procedures of library organization and administration, including policy formulation, budget preparation, employee selection, development, and coordination of activities and services; design, construction, and planning for library buildings; general project management principles; collection development, maintenance, access, and acquisition policies, principles, and practices of Public Libraries; best practices, traditional and emerging technology, and innovation in public libraries; the value of diversity in a workforce, library programs, and communities; effective safety and security principles and practices; fundamental principles and practices of supervision, including directing, assigning, motivating, training, counseling, disciplining, commending, and evaluating the work of subordinates; pertinent City and Personnel Department rules, policies and procedures, including Equal Employment Opportunity responsibilities; and the ability to: use appropriate techniques for conflict resolution; use independent judgment to analyze and effectively solve problems and plan for the future; address and resolve employee issues and grievances; plan, organize, and direct the activities of a major library division; establish and maintain a work environment to enhance employee morale, adaptability, and effectiveness; plan and develop approaches for leadership development, staff empowerment, and training; speak effectively before groups; deal tactfully and effectively with other library managers, City department heads, elected officials and their staff, Library Commission members, subordinate supervisors and employees, media, the public, and other stakeholders; work, coordinate, and function with a diverse workforce; develop, communicate vision, and build consensus for library initiatives; prepare and edit correspondence reports in an accurate and complete manner using principles of proper English usage, punctuation, spelling, and grammar; and other necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities.
Candidates will be notified by e-mail of the date, time, and location of the interview, which may be held in the City of Los Angeles or online. It is anticipated that interviews will begin during the period of MONDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2026 to FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2026.
NOTES:
- This examination is based on a validation study.
- Applications accepted are subject to review to ensure that minimum qualifications are met. Candidates may be disqualified at any time if it is determined that they do not possess the minimum qualifications stated on this bulletin.
- As a covered entity under the Fair Employment and Housing Act and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City of Los Angeles does not discriminate on the basis of disability and upon request, will provide reasonable accommodations to ensure equal access to its programs, services, and activities. To request a disability accommodation, please complete the Disability Accommodation Form within 14 calendar days of the submittal of the City application. The Disability Accommodation Form can be obtained at http://per.lacity.org/exams/verify_disability.pdf.
- A final average score of 70% or higher on the interview portion of the examination is required to be placed on the eligible list.
- Appointment to this class is subject to a one-year probationary period under the provisions of the Los Angeles Charter Section 1011.
- In conjunction with Civil Service Rules, applicants who have received a regular appointment to a City position or are on a reserve list will be considered Promotional candidates while all other applicants will be considered Open candidates.
- Candidates will accrue seniority credit at the rate of 0.10 of a point for each year of service in those City classes which provide qualifying experience for this position. A maximum of one point will be added to the score of the candidate.
- The promotional list will ordinarily be used ahead of the open competitive list. However, if open competitive candidates receive a higher score, without military credits, than the highest available promotional candidate, after adding seniority credit, the Civil Service Commission, upon request of the appointing authority, may approve certification of such open candidates ahead of the promotional candidates.
- If in accordance with the Rule of Three Whole Scores all applicants are eligible for appointment consideration, the examination will consist entirely of an evaluation of the candidates' City applications by Personnel Department staff to ensure that the minimum qualifications have been met.
- In accordance with Civil Service Rule, Sec. 4.24, review periods may be combined. Candidates in the examination process may file protests as provided in Sec. 4.20, 4.22, 4.23 as applicable and within the required time frame; however, the Personnel Department may respond to and resolve protests prior to the establishment of the eligible list.
Notice:
If you receive and accept an offer of employment to a regular position with the City of Los Angeles, your employee benefit coverage (including health and dental coverage, as well as life insurance) will commence approximately six weeks after your original appointment. Not all positions in the City receive benefit coverage; you should inquire regarding the availability of employee benefits prior to accepting a position. All City employees are required to be Disaster Service Workers.
THIS EXAMINATION IS TO BE GIVEN BOTH ON AN
INTERDEPARTMENTAL PROMOTIONAL AND OPEN COMPETITIVE BASIS
The City of Los Angeles does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, creed, color, ancestry, medical condition (cancer), or Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome.
AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
For additional information and FAQs regarding the City's hiring process, please go to: https://personnel.lacity.gov/faqs/employment-testing-process.html
There are many things to consider in a new employer. Visit the following webpage to view benefits the City of Los Angeles offers its employees:
01
To be PROPERLY AND PROMPTLY notified of the status of my application, I UNDERSTAND that I MUST provide on my City application, the following information:
-Working E-mail address
-Telephone Number
-Official social security number
I UNDERSTAND that I MUST provide a working email address on my application where I will receive notifications regarding the status of my application and the selection process.
I UNDERSTAND that important information regarding the status of my application and the selection process will only be sent via E-MAIL to the email address I provided.
I UNDERSTAND that it is MY RESPONSIBILITY to ensure that the email address I provided is a working email and that I will check my email regularly to ensure I receive any communication as it relates to the examination promptly.
I UNDERSTAND that the City of Los Angeles Personnel Department is NOT RESPONSIBLE for any lost or redirected emails and that it is MY RESPONSIBILITY to add info@governmentjobs.com to my email contact list to avoid email notifications related to this examination from being classified as "spam" or "junk" mail.
- I have read these statements to their fullest and will provide a working e-mail address on my application in order to receive status of my application regarding this examination.
I UNDERSTAND that I am required to describe, IN DETAIL, my appropriate qualifying experience in the Work Experience Section of my application.
I UNDERSTAND that, if qualifying with my City experience, that I MUST indicate my appropriate job classification in my work history and NOT ANY WORKING TITLE that I believe is designated to me.
I UNDERSTAND that if I attach a resume and/or cover letter IN LIEU of completing the Work Experience Section, my application is INCOMPLETE and WILL NOT be considered for this examination, and my application WILL NOT be further processed.
In addition to including my qualifying experience, I UNDERSTAND that I should list ALL jobs, regardless of duration, including part-time jobs, military service and any periods of unemployment during my entire work history.
- I have read these statements to their entirety and understand them completely and to their fullest.
03
I am currently:
- A City of Los Angeles employee having received a regular appointment.
- An exempt or emergency City of Los Angeles employee, but have civil service status.
- An exempt or emergency City of Los Angeles employee, without receiving civil service status.
- A City of Los Angeles employee in a temporary training position.
- A City of Los Angeles employee on a part-time basis.
- On a regular reserve list for the City of Los Angeles.
- Not employed with the City of Los Angeles.
04
REQUIREMENT #1
QUESTION 1 of 1
I have the following amount of full-time paid professional experience as a Principal Librarian with the City of Los Angeles:
NOTE: You MUST provide detailed information of this experience in the Work History Section of your application. Failure to provide this information may result in your disqualification from this examination.
- Between 1 month and 17 months
- Between 18 months and 23 months
- 24 months or more
- NONE OF THE ABOVE
05
REQUIREMENT #2
QUESTION 1 of 5
I have a master's degree in Library Science or Library and Information Science from a school accredited by the American Library Association.
NOTE: Qualifying education must be from a college or university accredited by the American Library Association. A list of approved institutions can be found at https://www.ala.org/educationcareers/accreditedprograms/directory.
- Yes
- No
06
REQUIREMENT #2
QUESTION 2 of 5
For the education that you are claiming in the previous question, enter your school name accredited by the American Library Association, the location, type of degree earned, major, and graduation date.
Example: University of Southern California - Los Angeles, CA - Master of Management - Library and Information Science - May 2019
If you are applying under a different requirement, enter "N/A."
07
REQUIREMENT #2
QUESTION 3 of 5
I have the following amount of full-time paid professional librarian experience, at the level of Principal Librarian, working in areas such as:
- Coordinating and developing library services, establishing library operating policies and procedures, and effectively utilizing library personnel to ensure full public services throughout a library system or region;
- Administering the maintenance and development of a library materials collection throughout a library system, region, or in a central library subject department;
- Administering cooperative programs with schools, community groups, and businesses to define appropriate library services throughout a library system or region.
NOTES:
*To be considered "professional," qualifying experience must be gained in positions requiring a master's degree in Library Science or Library and Information Science.
*You MUST provide detailed information of this experience in the Work History Section of your application. Failure to provide this information may result in your disqualification from this examination.
- Between 1 month and 17 months
- Between 18 months and 23 months
- 24 months or more
- NONE OF THE ABOVE
08
REQUIREMENT #2
QUESTION 4 of 5
In the text box below, enter your qualifying job title(s) and employer(s) which you are claiming professional librarian experience in the previous question at the level of Principal Librarian.
Example: Principal Librarian - ABC Library
If you are applying under a different requirement, enter "N/A."
09
REQUIREMENT #2
QUESTION 5 of 5
For the job title(s) that you listed in the previous question, please describe your professional librarian experience working in areas such as:
- Coordinating and developing library services, establishing library operating policies and procedures, and effectively utilizing library personnel to ensure full public services throughout a library system or region;
- Administering the maintenance and development of a library materials collection throughout a library system, region, or in a central library subject department;
- Administering cooperative programs with schools, community groups, and businesses to define appropriate library services throughout a library system or region.
If you are applying under a different requirement, enter "N/A."
10
IMPORTANT NOTE:I have read the above questions carefully and answered each one accurately. I understand that if I do not provide correct information that my application will be disqualified and will not be considered further for this examination.
I understand that if I submit more than one application, my newest application will be considered and all others will be considered duplicates and will not be reviewed.
You should include in the work experience section of your application any jobs you wish to be considered as you will be unable to add or change your information after submission.
- Yes, I have read the above statements carefully and understand them to their fullest.
Required Question