ASSISTANT LIBRARY DIRECTOR

JOB ANNOUNCEMENT

ASSISTANT LIBRARY DIRECTOR

CHICAGO PUBLIC LIBRARY

{Library Operations and Patron Experience}

Number of Positions: 1

(Additional vacancies possible pending budget approval)

Starting Salary: $97,332

Applications for this position will be accepted until 11:59pm CDT on 03/03/2026

Reporting to the District Chief, this position functions at the managerial level, directing the operations and strategy for the Chicago Public Library's new Obama Branch within the Obama Presidential Center. Directs all library services, programs, and operations for the branch, ensuring alignment with CPL's mission and systemwide priorities. Leads the implementation of an innovative service model that enhances patron experience and positions the branch as a hub for civic engagement, linking visitors to broader cultural and community networks. Serves as the primary liaison with key partners to ensure collaborative programming and community engagement. The position guides staff in delivering exceptional customer service and fostering collaboration, manages performance and development of branch personnel, ensures operational efficiency and fiscal stewardship, and drives innovation in library services and programs to meet evolving community needs. The role monitors and reports on service outcomes and community impact while building and sustaining partnerships with community organizations, cultural institutions, and civic partners to strengthen connections across Chicago. Performs related duties as required.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Develops teams engaged in providing information services to patrons, providing reference assistance to patrons, developing collections, planning and coordinating programs, events and exhibitions and/or circulating a variety of library materials.
• Manages a portfolio of branches with a focus on equitable access, local relevance, and excellence in program delivery, collections, and space activation.
• Leads evidence-based programming that anticipates community needs and drives lifelong learning.
• Monitors and evaluates the performance of programs and services to ensure continuous improvement.
• Drives service innovation and maintains community-centered operations by creating policies and practices that reflect department values.
• Participates in long-range planning and in the development and interpretation of library policies and procedures.
• Identifies and directs the preparation of grant proposals to develop, promote or expand library programs and services.
• Directs and evaluates programs and policies for the use of special collections and archival materials and services to ensure maximum patron usage.
• Develops and implements public information programs to increase patrons' awareness and utilization of library resources, collections and programs.
• Directs and supports personnel administration activities, including participating in the interviewing and selection of staff, preparing evaluations, administering disciplinary actions when required, and approving staff time off requests.
• Promotes a culture of learning, mentorship, and continuous improvement that supports growth, inclusion, and excellence.
• Prepares annual operations and personnel budgets and monitors expenditures ensuring fiscal responsibility.
• Interprets library policies and procedures to staff members and the general public.
• Oversees security operations and building management activities of a library facility.
• Serves as a visible civic leader forging partnerships with schools, nonprofits, city agencies, and cultural organizations to expand access and amplify the department's role in community life.
• May serve on department-wide leadership and planning teams, guiding the development of inclusive policies and promotion of system-wide coherence.
• May oversee the circulation of materials and establishes policies for the lending of special collections.
• Supports strategic vendor relationships in collaboration with central departments to ensure equitable, relevant, and high-quality resources across the library.
• May conduct collection maintenance activities including shelving and purging library materials.

Additional duties may be required for this position.

Location: Obama Branch 6021 S. Stony Island Avenue

Days: Monday thru Friday, on call

Hours: 9am to 5pm

THIS POSITION IS EXEMPT FROM CAREER SERVICE

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Graduation from an accredited American Library Association (ALA) accredited Master's degree program in Library Science or Library and Information Science or Information Studies or an approved foreign credential evaluation, PLUS five (5) years of professional library experience, of which three (3) years are in a supervisory role related to the responsibilities of the position.

NOTE:

SELECTION REQUIREMENTS:

This position requires applicants to complete an interview. The interviewed candidate(s) possessing the qualifications best suited to fulfill the responsibilities of the position, based on the oral parts of the interview will be selected.

For Information on our employees benefits please visit our benefits website at:

https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/fin/benefits-office.html

For Information on our salary and title structure visit our classifications website at:

https://www.chicago.gov/content/dam/city/depts/dhr/supp_info/JobClassification/2025_Classification_and_Pay_Plan.pdf

APPLICATION EVALUATION: Initial evaluation will be based on information provided on the application and the documents submitted. Department of Human Resource staff will review applications after the final posting date. Staff will follow any and all required Employment/Hiring Plan provisions, federal, state and local laws, and Collective Bargaining Agreements when applicable. Staff will apply hiring preferences as required by the municipal code. Placement on an eligibility list is not an offer or guarantee of an interview nor employment with the City of Chicago.

COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY: To further our commitment to hiring applicants with diverse experience the City of Chicago has adopted the following ordinances 2-74-020 and 2-74-075. The ordinances provide a preference to applicants who meet minimum qualifications and who are veterans of the Armed Forces, and/or residents of Socio-Economically Disadvantaged Areas (SEDA) and/or Chicago Public School (CPS) high school graduates to be referred to departments for consideration. These hiring preferences do not apply to bidders, as Collective Bargaining Agreements define the hiring process for bidders. For positions covered by a collective bargaining agreement, bidders will be considered before external candidates. To learn more about our hiring practices click here.

ALL REFERENCES TO POLITICAL SPONSORSHIP OR RECOMMENDATION MUST BE OMITTED FROM ALL APPLICATION MATERIALS SUBMITTED FOR CITY EMPLOYMENT.

The City of Chicago in an Equal Employment Opportunity, Military Friendly, and Fair Chance Employer.

City of Chicago

Brandon Johnson, Mayor