The Enoch Pratt Free Library has an opening for the Director of Neighborhood Library Services (NLS). The Director will oversee the library’s 21 neighborhood branches and the mobile services unit, ensuring exceptional public service, operational consistency, and equitable access across Baltimore City communities.
This leader will provide strategic and operational oversight for branch and mobile services, circulation and service standards, and branch staffing. The Director will supervise the Deputy Directors of Neighborhood Library Services and NLS administrative staff, and report directly to the Executive Director of Libraries & Education.
This position requires occasional evenings and weekends.
Department: Neighborhood Library Services
Location: 400 Cathedral Street Baltimore, MD 21201
Salary: $95,494 to 124,107 per year
Job Type: On-site Full-Time, Benefits Included
Summary of Duties:
Strategic Leadership & Branch Operations
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Provide strategic leadership and operational oversight for the library’s 21 neighborhood branches and mobile services department, including staffing, circulation, outreach and customer service standards.
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Assist the Executive Director of Libraries & Education in developing and implementing strategic goals for the Neighborhood Library Services division.
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Ensure consistent, high-quality, and equitable library service delivery across all neighborhood library locations.
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Develop, implement, and evaluate branch service policies, procedures, standards, and operational expectations aligned with the library’s mission and strategic priorities.
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Analyze branch performance, usage trends, staff and customer feedback, and service metrics, along with in-person visits and evaluations, to inform decision-making, improve operations, and enhance the customer experience.
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Collaborate with the Director of Programs to ensure branch programming aligns with systemwide standards and priorities while supporting local implementation by branch staff.
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Collaborate with the Director of Collections to ensure that physical and digital collections reflect, anticipate, and meet the needs of Baltimore’s communities.
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Develop and manage departmental budgets, staffing strategies, and operational resources to ensure sustainable and effective branch operations.
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Serve as the primary liaison between neighborhood branches, mobile services, and other library divisions to ensure coordinated service delivery and organizational alignment.
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Expand access to library services through responsive outreach and mobile service strategies tailored to Baltimore neighborhoods.
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Develop responsive service models to meet the evolving needs of Baltimore’s neighborhoods.
Personnel Management
Oversee personnel management across neighborhood branches, including recruitment, onboarding, performance evaluation, employee relations, conflict resolution, and disciplinary actions, ensuring fair and consistent application of library policies.
Foster a culture of collaboration, inclusion, innovation and accountability throughout the Neighborhood Library Services division.
Ensure compliance with library policies, safety procedures, city regulations, and applicable labor agreements.
Collaboration & Community Engagement
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Collaborate with Facilities, Public Safety, IT Systems, and other operational departments to address branch needs, service concerns, and facility improvements.
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Represent Neighborhood Library Services in community meetings, public events, and internal leadership discussions outside of the library.
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Build and maintain collaborative relationships with community organizations, neighborhood stakeholders, and civic partners to strengthen library visibility, responsiveness, and impact.
Minimum Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
Seven years of experience in a multi-branch library system or in higher learning.
Two years of supervisory experience.
Authorized to operate a motor vehicle in the city of Baltimore, and have access to reliable transportation to travel between multiple work locations.
Physical Requirements: Physical exertion such as standing; or recurring activities such as bending, crouching, reaching; pushing loaded book trucks; or recurring lifting of moderately heavy items such as boxes of books or journals.
Preferred Qualifications:
Masters in Library Science (MLS or MLIS) from an American Library Association (ALA) accredited college or university.
Experience working in a multi-branch public library system, museum, nonprofit, educational institution, or similarly complex environment
Experience managing and working in a union environment.
Experience managing and developing departmental budgets.
Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Knowledge of/experience in the principles of library organization and management, especially concerning multi-branch library systems.
Knowledge of budgeting, resource allocation, and operational planning in a multi-branch library environment and the ability to develop and monitor a budget.
Ability and proven experience in developing and managing extension service policies, programs, and staff.
Knowledge of data analysis, performance measurement, and assessment methods used to evaluate service effectiveness and operational outcomes.
Experience in developing and implementing strategic plans.
Staff supervision and administrative experience.
Demonstrated leadership qualities of public speaking, policy formulation, and program and staff management.
Additional Notes:
Position of Trust: Those under final consideration for appointment will be required to authorize the release of and successfully complete a criminal conviction check.
Financial Disclosure: This position is required to complete a Financial Disclosure pursuant to Sections 7-7, 7-8, and 7-9 of the City Ethics Law.
Please Attach Your Resume To Be Considered.
