Main Library Manager (0923) - San Francisco Public Library (153927)

This is a Position-Based Test conducted in accordance with CSC Rule 111A.

Application Opening – March 3, 2025
Application Deadline – The application filing will be opened continuously at least through Friday, March 14, 2025, and may close any time thereafter.
Compensation Range: $141,700 - $180,856 Annually (Range A)
Appointment Type: Permanent Civil Service
Recruitment ID: PBT-0923-153927; RTF0153926-01134433

The San Francisco Public Library (SFPL) is dedicated to connecting our diverse communities to learning, opportunities and each other. The library system includes the architecturally significant Main Library, an anchor institution in the City’s Civic Center, 27 neighborhood branch libraries that serve all neighborhoods throughout the City, two administrative buildings and four bookmobiles. With a collection of more than 3.7 million items, and circulation exceeding 14 million each year, SFPL serves more than 4 million visitors annually. The library embraces its role as the most democratic of institutions, providing safe and welcoming facilities for all. Through a robust array of services and programs, the library places an emphasis on literacy and learning, digital inclusion, social justice, equity, and healthy communities. For more information about SFPL, please visit www.sfpl.org.

The San Francisco Public Library (SFPL) must build a culture, space, and workplace that is accessible and welcoming to all current and future employees, and to actively build an environment in which all people, regardless of background, identity, or ability, can be equal participants. In this way, our staff at all organizational levels can reflect the communities we serve. A safe, equitable public library is an actively anti-racist public library. Creating an inclusive public library means aligning with the lived realities of people of color. The San Francisco Public Library is committed to advancing racial equity for our workforce and community. SFPL will actively engage in anti-racist practice, programs, and collection development in carrying out the Library’s mission.

Under the direction of the Chief of Public Services, the Main Library Manager provides leadership and oversight for all operations, staff, and services at the Main Library. This role is responsible for implementing departmental policies and procedures, managing budgets, and ensuring high-quality public service delivery.

The Main Library Manager leads system-wide cultural programs and outreach through the library’s Affinity Centers, including the African American Center, Chinese Center, Filipino Center, Stegner Environmental Center, Hormel LGBTQIA+ Center, and the new Latinx Affinity Center. Additionally, this position oversees Access Services, including the Talking Books and Braille Center (TBBC) and Deaf Services Center.

Serving as the primary liaison to city agencies, nonprofit organizations, and community partners, the Main Library Manager represents the San Francisco Public Library (SFPL) externally and coordinates high-profile tours and special initiatives with municipal, state, and federal officials. This role also supports staff in developing innovative programs and services aligned with the Vision 2030 Strategic Plan, evaluates service effectiveness, and manages data collection and reporting on public use of the Main Library.

Essential duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to: 

• Manages budget planning, preparation, and monitoring; directs annual work plans for all public-facing Main Library managers; oversees reference services, materials paging, circulation, system-wide text/chat services, the Telephone Information Program, and specialized resource centers (e.g., African American Center, Chinese Center, Children’s Center, Filipino American Center). Handles procurement of equipment and supplies.
• Develops and implements new programs and services, assesses their effectiveness, and reports on library performance. Manages data collection and analysis of public usage trends. Optimizes staffing levels to align with strategic priorities.
• Coordinates cross-division collaboration for major initiatives such as Night of Ideas, the annual Pride Parade, and cultural celebrations. Leads high-profile events in partnership with the Mayor’s Office, municipal agencies, and state and federal officials.
• Establishes priorities for Affinity Center teams to enhance outreach to underserved communities.
• Supervises Access Services, including the Talking Books and Braille Center and Deaf Services Center, to improve services for patrons with disabilities.
• Other duties as assigned

Every application is reviewed to ensure that you meet the minimum qualifications as listed in the job announcement. Please review our articles on Employment Application and Minimum Qualifications and Verification of Experience and/or Education for considerations taken when reviewing applications. 

Education: Possession of a Master's Degree in Library and Information Studies (MLS/MLIS) from a college or university accredited by the American Library Association; AND

Experience: Five (5) years of professional experience coordinating public programs, outreach, and implementing library services

Desirable Qualifications:
The listed desirable qualifications may be considered at the end of the selection process when applicants are referred for hiring.

• Proven ability to lead teams, build consensus, and foster collaboration in a diverse environment. Skilled in staff development, mentoring, and aligning teams with strategic goals while recognizing and valuing contributions.
• Extensive experience in public library management, including service delivery, budget oversight, and emerging trends. Strong analytical skills to evaluate services, optimize staffing, and enhance public impact.
• Expertise in working with internal and external partners, including government agencies, businesses, and community organizations. Committed to providing culturally responsive services and expanding outreach to underserved populations.
• Keen political acumen with the ability to navigate complex structures, identify challenges as opportunities, and drive positive change. Passionate advocate for public libraries and their mission.
• Strong public speaking and presentation skills to engage diverse audiences. Comfortable with technology and operating in a fast-paced, evolving environment.

One year of full-time employment is equivalent to 2000 hours. (2000 hours of qualifying work experience is based on a 40-hour work week.) Any overtime hours that you work above forty (40) hours per week are not included in the calculation to determine full-time employment.

Important Note: Please make sure it is absolutely clear in your application exactly how you meet the minimum qualifications listed above. Applications that do not appear to meet the minimum qualifications will not move forward in the recruitment process.

Verification:
Applicants may be required to submit verification of qualifying education and experience at any point during the recruitment and selection process. If education verification is required, information on how to verify education requirements, including verifying foreign education credits or degree equivalency, can be found at https://sfdhr.org/how-verify-education-requirements.

Note: Falsifying one’s education, training, or work experience or attempted deception on the application may result in disqualification for this and future job opportunities with the City and County of San Francisco.

All work experience, education, training and other information substantiating how you meet the minimum qualifications must be included on your application by the filing deadline. Information submitted after the filing deadline will not be considered in determining whether you meet the minimum qualifications.

Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed City and County of San Francisco application.

Applications completed improperly may be cause for ineligibility, disqualification or may lead to lower scores.

Selection Procedures:
After application submission, candidates deemed qualified must complete all subsequent steps to advance in this selection process, which includes the following: 

Supplemental Questionnaire (Weight: 100%):  
Supplemental Questionnaire (SQ) is designed to measure the knowledge, skills, and abilities in supervisory competencies as well as job-related areas which may include but not be limited to: critical thinking, decision making, professional & technical expertise, using technology, action & results focused, adaptability, attention to detail, innovative problem solving, listening, oral communication, writing, building & maintaining relationships, customer focus, handling & resolving conflict, coaching & developing others, delegating, managing performance, allocating resources, managing & facilitating change and supervision skills.

Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications will be emailed the supplemental questionnaire to the address listed on the candidates’ online application. Candidates will be required to respond to the supplemental questionnaire in the time frame indicated and must submit the completed questionnaire as directed in order to have it evaluated. Responses cannot be changed once submitted. Candidates will be evaluated based on their supplemental questionnaire responses. Candidates must achieve a passing score on the supplemental questionnaire in order to continue in the selection process and will be placed on the confidential eligible list in rank order according to their final score. After the confidential eligible list is adopted the department may administer additional selection procedures to make a final hiring decision. 

Additional selection processes may be conducted by the hiring department prior to making final hiring decisions.

Certification
The certification rule for the eligible list resulting from this examination will be the Rule of the List.

Eligible List/Score Report: 
A confidential eligible list of applicant names that have passed the civil service examination process will be created, and used for certification purposes only. An examination score report will be established, so applicants can view the ranks, final scores and number of eligible candidates. Applicant information, including names of applicants on the eligible list, shall not be made public unless required by law. However, an eligible list shall be made available for public inspection, upon request, once the eligible list is exhausted or expired and referrals resolved. The eligible list/score report resulting from this civil service examination process is subject to change after adoption (e.g., as a result of appeals), as directed by the Human Resources Director or the Civil Service Commission. 

The duration of the eligible list resulting from this examination process will be six (6) months and may be extended with the approval of the Human Resources Director.

Applicants must be guided solely by the provisions of this announcement, including requirements, time periods and other particulars, except when superseded by federal, state or local laws, rules or regulations.  [Note: The correction of clerical errors in an announcement may be posted on the Department of Human Resources website at https://careers.smartrecruiters.com/CityAndCountyOfSanFrancisco1/.

The terms of this announcement may be appealed under Civil Service Rule 110.4.  Such appeals must be submitted in writing to the Department of Human Resources, 1 S Van Ness Avenue, 4th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94103-5413 by close of business on the 5th business day following the issuance date of this examination announcement.  Information concerning other Civil Service Commission Rules involving announcements, applications and examination policies, including applicant appeal rights, can be found on the Civil Service Commission website at http://sfgov.org/civilservice/rules. 

Terms of Announcement and Appeal Rights:
Applicants must be guided solely by the provisions of this announcement, including requirements, time periods and other particulars, except when superseded by federal, state or local laws, rules or regulations. Clerical errors may be corrected by the posting the correction on the Department of Human Resources website at https://careers.smartrecruiters.com/CityAndCountyOfSanFrancisco1/.

The terms of this announcement may be appealed under Civil Service Rule 111A.35.1. The standard for the review of such appeals is ‘abuse of discretion’ or ‘no rational basis’ for establishing the position description, the minimum qualifications and/or the certification rule. Appeals must include a written statement of the item(s) being contested and the specific reason(s) why the cited item(s) constitute(s) abuse of discretion by the Human Resources Director. Appeals must be submitted directly to the Executive Officer of the Civil Service Commission within five business days of the announcement issuance date.

Additional Information Regarding Employment with the City and County of San Francisco

Information About The Hiring Process
Conviction History
Employee Benefits Overview
Equal Employment Opportunity
Disaster Service Worker
ADA Accommodation
Veterans Preference
Seniority Credit in Promotional Exams
Right to Work
Copies of Application Documents
Diversity Statement

HOW TO APPLY
Applications for City and County of San Francisco jobs are only accepted through an online process. Visit https://careers.smartrecruiters.com/CityAndCountyOfSanFrancisco1/ and begin the application process.
 
• Select the “I’m Interested” button and follow instructions on the screen.

Applicants may be contacted by email about this recruitment and, therefore, it is their responsibility to ensure that their registered email address is accurate and kept up-to-date. Also, applicants must ensure that email from CCSF is not blocked on their computer by a spam filter. To prevent blocking, applicants should set up their email to accept CCSF mail from the following addresses (@sfgov.org, @sfdpw.org, @sfport.com, @flysfo.com, @sfwater.org, @sfdph.org, @asianart.org, @sfmta.com, @sfpl.org, @dcyf.org, @first5sf.org, @famsf.org, @ccsf.edu, @smartalerts.info, and @smartrecruiters.com).

Applicants will receive a confirmation email that their online application has been received in response to every announcement for which they file. Applicants should retain this confirmation email for their records. Failure to receive this email means that the online application was not submitted or received.

If you have any questions regarding this recruitment or application process, please contact the Senior Human Resources Analyst, Raymond Wang, via email: [email protected].

The City and County of San Francisco encourages women, minorities and persons with disabilities to apply. Applicants will be considered regardless of their sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition (associated with cancer, a history of cancer, or genetic characteristics), HIV/AIDS status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran status, or other protected category under the law.

The City and County of San Francisco encourages women, minorities and persons with disabilities to apply. Applicants will be considered regardless of their sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition (associated with cancer, a history of cancer, or genetic characteristics), HIV/AIDS status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran status, or other protected category under the law.