Network Bulletin No. 02-37

Date: December 6, 20032



Subject: Staff, Network

Index term:  Vacancy Washington



NLS has been asked to publicize a vacancy in the position of
director, Washington Talking Book & Braille Library.  A copy
of the Invitation to Compete is attached.


For further information contact:

Carolyn Hoover Sung
Chief, Network Division



Attachment
____________________________________________________________


Invitation to Compete #60

Classification Title:            Director

Pay Range:      $67,933 - $101,920

Hours:         Full-Time

Department:        Washington Talking Book & Braille Library

Application Deadline:         Opens Monday, November 18, 2002;
closes 5:00 p.m., Friday, January 10, 2003.


__Position Overview__

The Director of Washington Talking Book & Braille Library
reports to the City Librarian and is a member of the Library
Leadership Team.  The Director of Washington Talking Book &
Braille Library provides leadership to ensure that the best
possible library resources and services are being provided
to the state's blind, deaf-blind, visually impaired,
physically disabled, and learning disabled communities.  The
Director also plays a key role in system-wide strategic
planning and directs the activities of approximately 22
staff and approximately 400 community volunteers.

The Washington Talking Book & Braille Library (WTBBL) is
part of the National Library Service for the Blind &
Physically Handicapped (NLS) network of the Library of
Congress.  NLS provides books and materials in cassette and
braille formats and subsidizes free mailings, while the
State of Washington provides operating costs through a
biennial appropriation.  The Washington State library
contracts with the Seattle Public Library to administer and
deliver a number of services.

With an annual operating budget of approximately $1.3
million, WTBBL circulates braille, cassette, large print
books and materials.  Over 11,000 patrons receive more than
one-half million books each year.  The braille and taping
service transcribes materials for users.  Staff provides
library information and reference services to patrons in-
person and by phone and WTBBL provides on-line access to its
collection.  The Radio Reading Service broadcasts
newspapers, regional materials and information of interest
to print disabled listeners.  WTBBL is a community leader in
making adaptive equipment available to its patrons.

WTBBL operates as a division of the Seattle Public Library.
The Division has strong ties and working relationships with
community volunteer organizations at local and regional
levels and with federal, state and local funding agencies.
WTBBL develops independent philanthropic support to augment
appropriations. __

__Essential duties and functions

 --  Library administration. Oversee the development and
expenditure of operating budgets and resources.  Allocate
resources.  Coordinate budgets, expenditures and resources
with multiple federal, state and local reporting
requirements and appropriation cycles.  Plan for and
implement the enhancement of WTBBL services through
philanthropic endeavors.  Conduct studies and reports and
oversee general administrative functions for the Division.
Ensure compliance with laws and regulations relating to
library services and to WTBBL's constituent users.

 -- Service development.  Set goals and standards for
WTBBL services.  Evaluate services, programs, collections,
materials, and technologies and lead the development of
improvement, new services and new service delivery methods.
Analyze user service and WTBBL resource needs.  Develop
goals and objectives to meet those needs.

 -- Outreach.  Lead outreach to government and volunteer
organizations representing WTBBL users and potential users.
Represent WTBBL to community groups, government agencies and
funding sources.  Ensure the effective flow of information
to and from constituents.  Develop effective partnerships
and collaborative working relationships with government and
community groups.  Evaluate and represent the needs of users
to the library administration and to sources of service
support.

 -- Legislative relations.  Represent WTBBL to the
Washington State Library and to legislative and regulatory
interests that affect WTBBL appropriations and other
resources and support.  Develop effective communications
with user groups and the public.  Ensure compliance with
laws and regulations regarding public sector relationships
with legislative and regulatory processes.

 -- Staff and volunteer administration.  Oversee the
selection, training, development, evaluation, motivation and
recognition of library staff.  Oversee performance
management and discipline.  Administer the library's labor
agreement.  Oversee the development, training, motivation
and recognition of approximately 400 volunteers who assist
with the delivery of services.

 -- Policies and planning.  Contribute to the development
of Library policies and procedures and oversee the effective
implementation of Library policies.  Represent those
policies to the staff, public and user groups.  Assist the
City Librarian with long-range and short-term strategic
planning for the Library.

 -- Leadership and values.  Lead the achievement of the
Library's mission, organizational values and goals.  Chief
among these are a commitment to intellectual freedom in the
delivery of library services, collaborative and open working
relationships, team approaches to problem solving,
creativity and innovation.  Assume responsibility for how
staff, the public and users perceive the Library and for
leading constructive and positive communications.  Lead by
example and by mentoring.

__Qualifications __

The IDEAL CANDIDATE will be innovative, flexible,
responsive, collaborative, self-directed and committed to
intellectual freedom; an honest and open communicator who
inspires trust; and one who seeks and sparks creative
contributions from others.

__Additionally, qualified candidates will possess:


__A Master's level degree in Library Sciences from an
American Library Association accredited library school, or
Washington State Library Board certification as a librarian
IS REQUIRED.

__ A minimum of three years of relevant library management
experience of comparable size and complexity.__  The three
years of related experience must demonstrate knowledge of
library collections, library service delivery technologies,
service evaluation, budget and fiscal administration, staff
supervision and administration, and knowledge of laws,
regulations and principles of library management.

__NLS, LBPH, State Library and related experience.
Demonstrated experience working with laws and regulations,
public and private funding sources and legislative and
appropriation processes.  Knowledge of and experience with
NLS funded collections and services, or with a related
organization such as Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic.
Experience with a regional or sub-regional LBPH library a
definite asset.

__User expertise.  Demonstrated knowledge of collections and
information resources needs, materials and equipment needs,
program needs and emerging service issues relevant to WTBBL
users and potential users.  Able to represent those issues
effectively to staff, the public, government and legislative
agencies and constituents.

__Outreach expertise.  Experience developing effective
working relationships with community and government groups,
identifying unmet service needs and potential constituent
groups, and developing effective collaborative efforts with
individuals, groups, agencies and institutions.

__Communication skills.  Must have excellent written and
interpersonal communications skills, including public
speaking.

__Leadership and staff management skills.  Experience should
demonstrate effective leadership in the development of staff
and in the achievement of desired organizational goals and
values.  Examples of such experience can include the
implementation of new service and service delivery methods,
development and supervision of project teams, taking action
to achieve optimal staff morale and motivation, conflict
management, experience working with community and
professional groups on issues of intellectual freedom, etc.

__Availability.  Able to work varied schedules, including
evenings and weekends, and to attend meetings and
participate in community activities throughout the City of
Seattle and the State of Washington when needed.

__How to apply:__

The following application materials are due January 10,
2003:

 __ Cover letter describing how your qualifications and
experience meet those required for this position

__ Resume

SPL applications are not required for the initial screening
process but will be required of candidates invited to
interview.  Local residents may pick up a complete
application package from their nearest Seattle Public
Library.  Application packets also may be requested by
calling 206-386-4121.  Application materials also are
available at: <http://www.spl.org/libraryjobs/forms.html>

Send application materials to:

Seattle Public Library
Human Resources Department
800 Pike Street
Seattle, WA  98101

Posted:  November 15, 2002.

THE SEATTLE PUBLIC LIBRARY PROUDLY PROMOTES DIVERSITY IN
EMPLOYMENT.

If you need accommodation during the employment process,
please contact Human Resources.


__About Seattle Public Library:__

Seattle Public Library is Seattle's center of information
and knowledge and one of the most popular and valued public
services in the city.  Approximately 5.5 million materials
are checked out each year and some 90,000 people attend
literary programs.  The committed and well-trained staff
supports all city residents from newborns to seniors.  By
providing books, technology and other materials, the Library
works to assist personal enjoyment, vocational success, and
social and cultural growth from the broadest possible
spectrum of users.

Seattle Public Library was founded in 1891 and includes the
Central Library, 22 branch libraries, Mobile Services and
the Washington Talking Book & Braille Library.   The City
Librarian.