Buncombe County

This job posting expires at 11:59PM on June 29, 2025. No applications can be submitted after 11:59PM on June 29, 2025.

Job Title: Library Branch Manager

Department: Libraries

External Hiring Range: $71,604.23 - $88,013.57

Compensation Grade: 3007

Pay Range: $71,604.23 - $110,986.56

Posted Internally and Externally

The Buncombe County Public Library System has 11 branch libraries and a central branch in downtown Asheville.

This position is for the Branch Manager of the Enka-Candler Library, located just west of Asheville. The community is known for its friendly atmosphere, local businesses, and outdoor recreation (close proximity to the Buncombe County Sports Park).

Enka-Candler Library is one of our mid-size branches and is known for its dynamic and award-winning youth and adult programming and community collaborations. It offers a large meeting room and an active Friends of the Library organization.

This library is open:

• Tuesday 10am - 8pm
• Wednesday 10am - 6pm
• Thursday 10am - 6pm
• Friday 10am - 6pm
• Saturday 10am - 5pm

The Enka-Candler Library Branch Manager supervises a team of 5 staff members (3 full time and 2 part time), and is responsible for overseeing the daily operations at the branch. Branch Managers serve as members of the BCPL management team and participate in department-wide projects.

We are looking for someone with strong customer service skills, a passion for team building, a knowledge of literature and library trends, and a deep understanding of leadership and middle management.

Purpose of the position:

The purpose of this position is to provide leadership and oversight of the general operation and library services for a County Library branch, including managing the overall service plan and operation of the branch and performing professional library work requiring the application of specialized library techniques.

Minimum Education, Training and/or Experience (required at time of hire): Master’s degree in library science, information sciences, or a related field and three (3) years of experience as a Library Specialist or Librarian; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Essential Functions of the position:

• Plan, coordinate, and supervises all aspects of the operation of a branch library, including the supervision and training of subordinate library paraprofessional personnel, the selection and purchasing of library materials based on needs of the library and community relative to budgetary limitations; the planning, organizing and implementation of programs within a specialized area; the recruitment, selection, and evaluation of branch personnel.
• Provide professional reference assistance and readers advisory to patrons; introduces patrons to reference books, aids and materials and aids them in the use of the online catalog and online databases; answers specific reference questions for individuals in person, by telephone, and by mail or email; aids patrons in the selection of books and other materials on special subjects; advises groups seeking professional information for surveys and special projects; assists patrons using the library’s computers, wireless internet access, and online collections.
• Checks materials in and out, maintains files of materials in circulation, maintains reserve lists and hold notices, and notifies patrons when materials are available for pickup.
• Maintain assigned subject area or special clientele collections; review and selects books and other materials for the collection; organize and maintain specialized reference materials and information files; compile bibliographies and assemble materials on special subjects; examine materials for repair, replacement, or discard.
• Perform public relation duties, including community outreach, developing local partnerships, writing copy, press releases, and public service announcements.
• Monitor and follow through on building maintenance or safety issues and issues with computers and other equipment and supplies.
• Reconcile cash register receipts, generate cash reports, and deposit money; collect programming and other statistics and send to library administration.
• Supervise assistants or clerical personnel in a library branch or department setting.
• Attend professional meetings and participates in activities of these meetings.
• Perform various personnel management duties which include interviewing applicants and recommending for hire, granting vacation, sick leave, and time off, completing performance evaluations for subordinate employees, and preparing staff schedules.
• Assist with circulation desk maintenance.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Knowledge of Professional library principles, practices, and techniques.
• Knowledge of reader interest levels, books, authors, and online resources.
• Knowledge of library information resources and familiarity with common consumer digital services.
• Knowledge of current literature, trends, and developments in the field of library science appropriate to the areas of assignment.
• Knowledge of computers, software, library computer and research programs, and online databases.
• Ability to express ideas and communicate effectively both orally and in writing to a variety of library constituents.
• Ability to prepare clear and concise reports.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships as necessary by work assignments.
• Ability to supervise and plan activities for subordinate employees.

In order to uphold internal pay parity and equity, salaries are non-negotiable for new and current Buncombe County employees. All new employees are paid according to their years of relevant education and experience above minimum requirements for the position and employees have the opportunity to obtain pay increases via cost of living increases and promotions.

Buncombe County Government realizes the importance of a diverse professional workforce and the need to foster a responsive and innovative organizational culture, one that fully engages all of our employees, honoring and building on each employee's unique experiences, opinions, and perspective.

It is the policy of Buncombe County to provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all persons regardless of race, natural hair or hairstyles, ethnicity, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin or ancestry, marital or familial status, pregnancy, veteran status, religious belief or non-belief, age, or disability or any other legally protected class under federal or NC State law. EEO practices and employment decisions regarding recruitment, hiring, assignment, promotion and compensation shall not be based on any of these protected classes. In addition, the County expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment or discrimination.