The Organization
The Georgia Historical Society (GHS) is the premier independent statewide institution responsible for collecting,
examining, and teaching Georgia history. GHS houses the oldest and most distinguished collection of materials
related exclusively to Georgia history in the nation. To learn more, go to www.georgiahistory.com.
Position Summary
The Reference Desk Manager is responsible for coordinating reference staffing, scheduling the day-to-day
operations of reference services, providing in person and remote reference services, and performing copy
cataloging and original cataloging of library and archival materials according to accepted national standards. This is
a full-time position based in Savannah, Georgia.
Duties and Responsibilities Include (incumbent may perform other duties as assigned):
Percentage of Role: 50%:
Manage reference desk associates, interns, and volunteers. Coordinate reference desk staffing and scheduling 30
days in advance and ensure communication with management. Establish goals and metrics, develop work plans, and
monitor productivity of reference desk associates. Effectively onboard and train staff following established policies
and procedures. Ensure all internal policies are adhered to and enforce compliance as needed. Handle staffing
issues in consultation with management and Human Resources. Responsible for working with management to
establish, maintain, and hold reference staff accountable to quality and productivity metrics. Responsible for
tracking and reporting reference project updates and other deliverables to management.
Percentage of Role: 35%:
Manage reference activities on a day-to-day basis by providing excellent customer service and effective inventory
management. Evaluate and manage resources; enforce currently defined reading room procedures with staff and
patrons; report resources for collection development; direct and assist others with updating forms and ready
reference resources as needed. Oversee the scheduling of research appointments and orientations; overall
responsibility for managing the Research Center calendar. Work with reference desk staff to respond to incoming
reference requests in a variety of formats (email, telephone, in-person, and mail) and ensure a timely turn-around
response by logging incoming requests, monitoring response times, and ensuring payment for research requests
are paid in full. Present instructional orientations of Research Center resources to groups and individuals;
participate in outreach activities, as necessary.
Percentage of Role: 15%:
Assist in collections management tasks for book and serial collections including shelf reading, inventorying, and
deaccessioning projects. Consistently ensure the Reading Room is clean, organized, and secure. Plan and execute
periodic facility and operational auditing to ensure processes, procedures, and facility maintenance are meeting the
needs of the institution and researchers.
Supervisory Responsibilities
Reference Desk Associates, interns, and volunteers.
Experience/Skills Required:
Knowledge, skills, and abilities: Must have prior experience and proven skill set to supervise others to include
scheduling, performance management, metrics creation, monitoring, and reporting, and impactful onboarding
and training of others. Demonstrated ability to work independently and as a part of a team, to organize, prioritize
work, and act with initiative and good judgment. Must be a self-starter with flexibility and a willingness to get the
