I’m pleased to share this invitation to join the Office of Commonwealth Libraries (OCL) as our new Library Development Advisor for School-Age Services.

This is a new position for the Bureau of Library Development (BLD).  Under Sue Banks’ leadership as the new BLD Director, we have decided that we need two advisors who will focus on youth services in Pennsylvania’s public and school libraries.

As many of you know, Susan Pannebaker currently serves as our Library Development Advisor for Youth Services.  She will continue in this role, but will focus her extraordinary energy and expertise on the improvement of library services from birth to school-age.  We are adding a new Library Development Advisor position who will focus on services and programs for school-age children and teens in both public and school libraries.

We believe that this new approach underscores the importance of youth services in libraries and will help us broaden our work to deliver excellent and equitable library services for every young Pennsylvanian.

Since we want to begin this work as soon as possible, we are moving quickly to identify potential candidates.  The closing date for applications is just a few weeks away on Tuesday, September 3, 2019.  Given the short application timeframe for this civil service position, here is a copy of the position description for your expeditious review and consideration.  Please note that you will need to provide copies of your academic transcripts as part of the online application process.

Position Responsibilities

The primary responsibilities of the Library Development Advisor for School-Age Services are to:

• Provide statewide leadership for the development of programs and services for children and teens ages eight through eighteen and the librarians who serve them in school and public libraries.
• Develop and coordinate special programs and grant projects, including convening advisory committees, coordinating training sessions, and managing contracts.
• Serve as liaison to assigned District Library Centers and Systems and provide advisory services to public and school libraries.

The best candidates will have a strong public-service ethic, successful experience as a youth services librarian, knowledge of the modern public and school libraries’ services for school-age children, a willingness to travel throughout Pennsylvania, and a keen interest in improving youth library services in libraries of all sizes.

Required Credentials

The position’s required credentials include:

• ALA-accredited MLS.
• Four years of professional experience in public or state library development work; or
• Five years of professional library experience in public, college, university or institutional library work. (Graduate coursework in Library Science or Library Services beyond the MLS may be substituted for professional library experience on a year for year basis.)

The position requires PA residency.  There are a variety of ways in which one can qualify.  Learn more at the Commonwealth’s Employment – Additional Info website.

Salary

$ 56,059 to $85,125 annually based on experience, plus benefits.

How to Apply

To apply, visit the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Job Opportunities website and search for “Library Development Advisor.”  After clicking on the job title link, you’ll find application instructions.  Please note that the instructions refer to an examination.  In this instance, the ‘exam’ consists of about 7 questions about your qualifications for the position.

Deadline

The application closing date is Tuesday, September 3, 2019.

Background

BLD’s mission is to strengthen and expand the role of all types of libraries to connect Pennsylvanians with the information and resources they need for education, enrichment, and advancement.  Currently, BLD employs 8 full-time professional librarians, 3 program-related staff, and 1 clerk.  It manages $71.5 million in state and federal funds which provide critical support for:

• Library advisory services and continuing education for library workers and board members;
• Basic operating costs at more than 600 public libraries;
• Access to online resources as well as means for sharing print and digital resources;
• Services for those who are visually impaired or with other physical limitations; and
• Support for innovative programs such as open educational resources, digitization, early learning, open source integrated library systems, library technologies, etc.

The Future

We are in the midst of building a dynamic, forward-facing team here at OCL – one that will carry us well into the future.  If you are the right person for this job, I hope you will give serious consideration and apply for this statewide leadership opportunity; Or, if you know of a potentially strong candidate, please share this opportunity with them.  I encourage Pennsylvania’s librarians to consider if this might be the next step ahead for your career.

Glenn

Glenn R. Miller | Deputy Secretary & Commissioner for Libraries
Pennsylvania Department of Education | Office of Commonwealth Libraries
333 Market St., 11^th Floor | Harrisburg, PA  17101-2210
Phone: 717-783-2466 | www.statelibrary.pa.gov
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This communication is issued on the Deputy Secretary’s behalf by Jonelle Darr, Executive Assistant (jodarr@pa.gov; 717-783-5725).