Senior Librarian – Bilingual Language Skills Preferred

About the role

Proud to consistently be named one of the top-rated libraries in the nation, we are champions of learning, sharing, and exploration of open minds, new ideas, and bright futures. It is our mission and our passion to strengthen our community by creating an inclusive sense of place and an environment for learning.

Responsibilities

• Dedicated to enhancing access to library collections, ensuring that our library's acquisitions are both relevant and easily accessible, while promoting equity in our community.
• Play a pivotal role in streamlining operational processes, expanding our library's cardholder base, and increasing library engagement, all while guiding and mentoring a close-knit team of staff members.
• Dedicated to strengthening community connections, helping ensure that our library is a trusted resource for everyone. Through excellent programming, public service, outreach, and partnerships, you will help create an inclusive environment where all community members feel welcome and supported.

Requirements

• Education: Master's of Library Science or recognized equivalent degree, from an American Library Association-accredited college or university.
• Experience: Two to three years of experience as a librarian, or a combination of library and supervision experience.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of: Principles of functional supervision including organizing and coordinating activities. Principles of staff supervision including work planning, scheduling, evaluation, employee training, and performance coaching. Best practices in assessing the diverse composition of communities and their needs. Principles of customer service. Library values, ethics, and purposes. Best practices in library programming, services, outreach, organization, and procedures. Principles of library materials selection and current knowledge of adult, teen, and/or children's literature, film, and/or music. Technology related to library and general office functions, as well as best practices for troubleshooting.
• Skill/Ability to: Establish and maintain positive and effective working relationships with staff, the public, and community organizations. Provide excellent customer service. Analyze library problems and implement their solutions. Lead efforts for improvement and change. Plan and develop services and programs. Plan and supervise the work of staff, and provide training as needed. Develop library programs/projects. Communicate effectively orally and in writing. Conduct needs assessments. Work with a variety of library and general office technologies and assist in the implementation of new technologies. Learn and grow in a changing environment.

Skills

• Passionate about the library’s vision and enthusiastic about inspiring a team to apply it to daily operations and goal setting.
• Engaged and skilled in every aspect of public libraries, able to juggle many tasks and model excellence in library operations.
• Excited about new projects and challenges and energized by working in a rapidly changing environment.
• A creative problem solver who has great ideas to share with others.
• A positive, enthusiastic librarian with strong interpersonal and advanced technological skills.
• Skilled at promoting library services to the community through education and outreach.
• A relationship builder who is skilled at creating impactful community partnerships with diverse groups.
• Skilled at recruiting, supervising, and retaining a diverse and talented team of staff.
• An excellent communicator, able to adjust communication styles for a variety of audiences and stakeholders.
• Passionate and creative about marketing and able to advocate for clear campaigns with measurable goals to provide the greatest level of service to our community members.
• Able to foster a welcoming and inclusive library environment through user-centered and equitable patron service practices and consistent staff development.
• Passionate and creative about marketing and able to advocate for clear campaigns with measurable goals to provide the greatest level of service to our community members.
• Able to collect and rigorously interpret data related to library performance and submit statistical reports regularly.
• An advocate for the American Library Association's Library Bill of Rights, Freedom to Read Statement, and Freedom to View Statement, recognizing that freedom of access is a fundamental tenet of a public library.

Benefits

Library staff are required to work weekends and evenings.

Pay

Commensurate with experience.

Schedule

Varies based on departmental needs.

About The County

The County of San Mateo is a Joint Powers Authority composed of the cities of Atherton, Belmont, Brisbane, East Palo Alto, Foster City, Half Moon Bay, Millbrae, Pacifica, Portola Valley, San Carlos, Woodside, and the unincorporated areas of San Mateo County. We serve approximately 280,000 residents and cover a service area of 351 square miles. Our 13 community libraries are open 7 days per week and are vibrant hubs for learning, creativity, connection, and exploration. Our mission is simple and powerful: Together, we build meaningful connections and inspire lifelong curiosity. From book clubs to bike clinics, video game design to resume workshops, Mid-Autumn Festivals to salsa tastings—our libraries offer a rich mix of programs and events that reflect and celebrate the diversity of the people we serve. Whether you're seeking inspiration, information, or a sense of belonging, San Mateo County Libraries is where community comes to thrive. To learn more about who we are and what we do, visit www.smcl.org.