LIBRARY SERVICES MANAGER - PROGRAMS

Join Durham County Government
Durham County Government is home to over 2,000 dedicated professionals working together to deliver essential services that strengthen and support our vibrant, diverse community. As the heart of a fast-growing region, we offer meaningful careers across a wide range of fields—giving you the opportunity to make a real impact where you live, work, grow, and play. Learn more at www.dconc.gov.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

This position provides strategic leadership for system-wide library programming and events, ensuring high-quality, inclusive, and community-responsive initiatives across all locations. It directs planning, evaluation, partnerships, and staff coordination to advance organizational priorities and strengthen community engagement.

Work is performed under general supervision reporting to the Director of Library Services.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Develop and oversee a comprehensive, system-wide programming framework that establishes policies, standards, and procedures while ensuring programs are inclusive, responsive, and accessible to patrons of all ages and backgrounds.
• Create short-, mid-, and long-term programming goals aligned with the library’s strategic priorities and evolving community needs.
• Coordinate with location and unit managers to ensure programming aligns with organizational priorities, reflects local community interests, and avoids scheduling conflicts.
• Supervise the Humanities Coordinator in support of community centered initiatives and collaborative partnerships.
• Lead the planning, development, and implementation of annual and seasonal programming initiatives, including major system-wide events such as Summer Reading.
• Collaborate with the Library Marketing Division to develop programming calendars, promotional materials, and production timelines.
• Establish performance measures. Establish and measure outcome-based standards to assess program effectiveness.
• Oversee the collection and analysis of quantitative and qualitative data, including performance metrics, participant feedback, and impact stories.
• Serve as a sponsor of one or more library committees by serving as the primary point of contact between the committee and library leadership, advocating for committee needs, progress, and recommendations, and responsible for communicating committee updates to library leadership and sharing library leadership priorities back to the committees.
• Prepare comprehensive reports for library leadership, staff, partners, and other stakeholders.
• Serve as the primary liaison to the Friends of the Durham Library and work closely with the Durham Library Foundation.
• Build and sustain strategic partnerships with community organizations to expand program reach, strengthen community engagement, and support the library’s mission.
• Assist in the development and management of programming and grant budgets, ensuring responsible fiscal oversight and alignment with organizational priorities.
• Supervise the Library Grant Writer by providing leadership in prospect research, proposal development, compliance, reporting, and program evaluation.
• Provide strategic leadership, guidance, and coaching to programming staff across all library locations in partnership with location managers and unit managers.
• Monitor trends and emerging best practices in public librarianship and community engagement, recommend innovating approaches, technologies, and process improvements that enhance programming quality and operational effectiveness.
• Provide excellent internal customer service in a team-based environment
• Perform related tasks as required or requested

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of the principles, practices, and emerging trends in public librarianship, community programming, and community engagement.
• Expertise in strategic program planning, design, implementation, evaluation, and outcome-based performance measurement.
• Knowledge of budget development, fiscal management, grant administration, compliance, and reporting requirements.
• Knowledge of data collection methodologies, performance metrics, statistical analysis, and evidence-based reporting practices.
• Expertise in leadership principles, organizational development, project management, facilitation techniques, and continuous improvement practices.
• Proficiency in library technologies, library management systems, Microsoft Office applications, communication platforms, and project management software.
• Skill in planning, coordinating, implementing, and evaluating complex, system-wide programming initiatives that align with organizational priorities and evolving community needs.
• Skill in designing innovative, inclusive, and community-responsive programs that support strategic goals and enhance patron engagement.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including report writing, public speaking, presentations, stakeholder engagement, and executive-level reporting.
• Proficiency in analyzing and interpreting quantitative and qualitative data to evaluate program outcomes, communicate findings, and support data-informed decision-making.
• Demonstrated ability to build and sustain collaborative relationships with internal departments, community organizations, educational institutions, government agencies, funding partners, and other stakeholders.
• Ability to establish and maintain policies, standards, procedures, and workflows that promote consistency, quality, operational excellence, and continuous improvement.
• Ability to lead, motivate, coach, and influence staff, committees, and cross-functional teams while fostering judgment, diplomacy, discretion, organization, and attention to detail.
• Ability to adapt to changing organizational priorities, identify innovative solutions, and foster an inclusive, collaborative, customer-focused culture that promotes equity, innovation, and excellence in public library services.

MINIMUM EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

• Master’s degree in library science and information studies (MSIS), library science (MLS), or a closely related refiled from accredited college or university.
• Five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in library programming, event management, or public services leadership and two (2) years of supervisory experience directing the work of professional and/or support staff.

SPECIAL CERTIFICATIONS AND LICENSES:

Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license issued by the State of North Carolina with an acceptable driving record.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Performs sedentary work involving prolonged sitting, standing, walking, and frequent use of computers and standard office equipment. May occasionally lift and carry materials weighing up to 20 pounds.

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT COMPLIANCE:

Durham County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. ADA requires Durham County to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. Prospective and current employees are encouraged to discuss ADA accommodations with management. 

BACKGROUND CHECK STATEMENT:

This position may be subject to a background check, which could include, but is not limited to, criminal history (employment-related and/or SBI fingerprint-based), credit history, motor vehicle records, educational verification, and checks of the sexual offender registry, depending on the specific requirements of the role. A conviction record does not automatically disqualify an applicant from employment consideration, unless otherwise required by applicable state law.