ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
POSITION DESCRIPTION
Employee Name:
Branch/Department:
Job Title:
Collection Development Librarian
Grade: 18MA
FLSA: Exempt
Reporting Relationships: Reports to the Head, Materials Management. Contacts normally
include Library administrative staff, Branch Managers and branch staffs, staff in the Materials
Management departments of other Maryland libraries, print, media, database, and other vendors,
and others as related to the management of the Library’s collections.
Supervisory Responsibility: One PBS Assistant
Overall Purpose of Job: This is responsible, professional work which involves significant
responsibilities in planning and carrying out activities related to system-wide materials selection
and to the overall management of the system’s print and media collections. Responsibilities also
extend to administrative work of the Materials Management Office such as reporting and
recordkeeping, participating in formulating and executing goals and objectives, and participating
in tasks and projects with other members of the Public Services Department.
Minimum Qualifications: Possession of a Master’s Degree in Library Science from an
American Library Association-accredited program plus three years professional-level library
experience in collection development including one year supervisory responsibility.
Necessary Special Requirement: Ability to secure certification as a Professional Public
Librarian in the State of Maryland within 120 days of appointment; ability to meet recertification requirement by completing 90 hours of training every 5 years.
Essential Duties: Examples are illustrative of this class of work; they are not intended to
include all of the essential duties of all positions in this class. Certain conditions, e.g. economic
constraints, staffing patterns, changes in system/branch goals and objectives, etc., may
necessitate changes to the duties described in this job description.
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A. Management
 Assists with the comprehensive management of the library system’s collections;
recommends policies and procedures governing these collections; represents the
Library with vendors.
 Selects books and other print materials for the adult, young adult or juvenile
collections as assigned
 Selects media, databases, reference sources, electronic media for the collection as
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assigned
 Recommends strategies for providing and improving services and procedures
 Assists in planning and implementing materials management goals, objectives, and
strategies
 Maintains appropriate records
 Analyses circulation and other management reports to anticipate public interest and
demand and determine best allocation of materials among branches, e.g., numbers of
copies, distribution of categories (fiction, non-fiction, etc.)
 Keeps abreast of trends in book publishing and media production
 Keeps abreast of new technological developments and makes recommendations for
application to the library collections
 Keeps abreast of county citizen interests at the community level by staying in close
communication with branch managers and professional staff
 Participates as part of the Library’s management team.
 In concert with the Head, Materials Management, provides leadership to Materials
Management staff in setting goals and objectives for fulfilling the library’s mission
and meeting the goals of the strategic plan
 Contributes to system-wide planning, policy and procedure development, and
problem solving
 Attends and participates in the Public Services Department meetings. Serves as a
representative of Materials Management at the Services and Management meeting.
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B. Supervision
 Instructs and guides staff in the objectives, policies and procedures of AACPL and in
accordance with its vision/mission and goals
 Plans, assigns/delegates and sets work priorities for staff as appropriate
 Schedules regular meetings with staff and communicates updates regarding
branch/department and/or system changes
 Observes, coaches, evaluates and documents performance and recognizes staff
contributions in accordance with AACPL policies
 Assess, identify and coordinate staff training and development needs
 Provides counsel and support to staff in acquiring resources, resolving complaints and
meeting their department/branch and personal development objectives
 Consults with immediate supervisor or Branch Manager/ Department Head and/or
Human Resources regarding personnel concerns
 May collaborate with staff in planning branch/department objectives and goals
 Maintains a working knowledge of duties, policies and processes in order to fill in for
or assist staff when needed
 Demonstrates and acts in accordance with library core values and serving as a role
model and mentor for staff
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C. Planning and Development
 Assists in investigating and identifying the best-use new information technologies to
satisfy public demands and preferences for the “format” in which they use the
library’s collection. Keeps abreast of developments
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Collaborates with other Public Services staff, the Chief of Information Technology,
and Technical Services staff in developing ways to improve how the library selects,
processes, and delivers its collection to the public
Maintains professional librarian skills and knowledge.
Reviews professional literature
Learns new technology as necessary
Updates skills by participating in training and other learning opportunities
D. Communication/Networking
 Contributes professional and technical expertise to the library through membership on
committees, task forces, etc.
 Coordinates appropriate meetings
 Sets goals and objectives for committee as appropriate
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Assigns tasks to committee members as appropriate
Adjusts committee's work strategies and assignments as necessary for it to
accomplish its charge and meet its deadlines
Participates on committees and task forces related to job responsibilities such as
collection development, etc.
Serves as consultant to Library in areas of assigned responsibility.
Networks with outside groups sponsored by Maryland Library Association, Division
of Library Development and Services, and other professional associations that are
related to position's responsibilities -- e.g., training/staff development, volunteers, etc.
Serves as representative of the Library
Participates in activities as appropriate
Reports to Administration on activities as appropriate
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E.
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Administrative Activities
Assists Head, Materials Management with administrative responsibilities.
Collaborates on budget request preparation
Monitors budget expenditures as assigned
Assists with selection of outside vendors for cataloguing, processing, etc.
Participates in vendor administration and monitors vendor performance
Prepares reports according to established procedures and timetables.
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F. Other Duties as Assigned
 Willingly and cooperatively performs tasks and duties which may not be specifically
listed in the position description, but which are within the general occupational
category and responsibility level typically associated with the employee’s class of
work.
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G. Work Effectiveness Skills
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Consistently meets the standards of the work effectiveness skills required for this
position.
Accountabilities: (Include, but are not limited to the following)
1. Meets system objectives for maintaining a collection based on popular demand that is wellused by the public.
2. Meets development objectives as established by supervisor.
3. Maintains good working relations with administration, branch, and system staff, vendors
and other outside contacts.
4. Represents Library to other library systems, County agencies, community organizations,
vendors, other groups.
5. Updates skills- management, librarian, technical - by participating in training and other
learning opportunities
6. Maintains and develops expertise in appropriate new technology and applications.
7. Maintains awareness of current events.
8. Contributes ideas that improve assigned work areas, increase efficiencies, and otherwise
advance the development of the Library System.
9. Performs work in keeping with the standards of the library and training professions and
the policies and procedures of the Library System.
Working Conditions:
1. Physical Demands: Job involves a moderate amount of movement and activity. Work
routinely involves lifting or handling material weighing up to 15 lbs., pushing booktrucks,
etc.; occasional travel to other work locations. Regular use of computer monitor, mouse and
keyboard.
2. Emotional Demands: Some stress related to public contact. Some pressure related to
sustained periods of high-volume activity and multiple deadlines.
3. Social Environment: Always people to talk to/work with.
4. Physical Environment: Typical office/library environment. Some fluctuations in building
temperature related to HVAC problems can cause some periods of uncomfortable heat or
cold.
5. Mental Demands: This is high-level professional and managerial work requiring
sophisticated reasoning and independent judgment. Work is performed with minimal
supervision and allows for significant discretion and variance in work routine.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
1. Knowledge of modern principles, practices, techniques and trends of contemporary library
science and management, particularly those related to collection development and
management in a public library setting.
2. Knowledge of or the ability to learn the reading and information interests of the county’s
citizens.
3. Knowledge of or the ability to learn the characteristics and political environment of the
library’s service area.
4. A wide, general reading background and knowledge; the habit of keeping up with current
events.
5. Excellent English writing and speaking skills.
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Knowledge and skills necessary to oversee, guide, and evaluate the work of staff and to train
and otherwise assist with their professional and individual development.
Knowledge of standard public library resources (including those in electronic formats),
services, techniques, principles and practices.
Basic knowledge of and ability to use computers in the performance of job responsibilities.
Ability to organize, plan, and execute work and to set and reach goals with minimal direct
supervision.
Ability to work effectively and calmly under pressure.
Knowledge and skills necessary to work effectively as part of a team toward the
achievement of common goals and objectives.
Skills and abilities necessary to provide leadership in the designated areas of responsibility.
Demonstrated ability to complete work accurately and with attention to detail, as part of a
team or independently; work well under pressure to meet deadlines
Ability to communicate effectively with departments, branches, and vendors
AACPL employees work in a diverse environment and are expected to demonstrate respect for and
relate to co-workers and customers from many different backgrounds and cultures. The Anne
Arundel County Public Library is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with the
Americans with Disabilities Act. The Library’s policy is to treat all applicants and employees
equally without regard to race, color, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, or
disability.
The contents of this job description have been reviewed and discussed. The signatures appearing
below acknowledge an understanding of the major tasks and duties required in this position.
Employee Signature
Date
Supervisor Signature
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Date