The Pennsylvania Department of Education is seeking applicants for the position of Deputy Secretary for the Office of Commonwealth Libraries (Commissioner for Libraries and State Librarian) [State Librarian] in the Department of Education in Harrisburg. The State Librarian reports to the Executive Deputy Secretary of Education and oversees a budget of $64 million and a staff of 50, serving a statewide population of 12.7 million people and a network of more than 3,000 libraries. The State librarian provides leadership to and coordination of school, public, and academic libraries in support of the mission and goals of the Department of Education and to meet the information, education, and enrichment needs of residents statewide. The successful candidate will be a visionary leader with demonstrable ability to effect innovation and change.
Responsibilities: Major responsibilities include: managing the work of the Bureau of Library Development, including administration of Library Services and Technology Act funds, a state aid to public libraries subsidy, statewide access to online resources, a statewide multi-type online database, virtual reference, and a statewide school library program, among others; overseeing the work of the Bureau of State Library, including reference and research for all branches of state government, a statewide resource center, state-of-the-art preservation of rare collections, and a historic and current law library; administering state and federal library laws; strategic planning on an agency and statewide basis; and maintaining successful relationships with the library community.
The State Librarian provides advice and counsel to the Secretary of Education on pending legislation that could affect the state’s libraries and recommends new legislation or regulations to achieve statewide library program goals and objectives; works with agency personnel, library staffs and boards, library organizations, local and state officials; and represents Pennsylvania with national and regional library organizations. In addition, the State Librarian serves on various boards, including the Governor-appointed Advisory Council on Library Development, and represents the Secretary of Education at meetings with the legislature, Commonwealth agencies, and other entities.
For the detailed position description, see: http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/employment/8677/library/1118278.
Qualifications: Qualified candidates must have a Master’s Degree in Library Science from an ALA-accredited school or the ability to be certified as a professional librarian in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and at least five years of diversified and responsible managerial experience, including strategic planning, policy development and implementation, financial management, personnel management, excellent written and oral communication skills, presentation skills, and skills in the application of emerging technology.
Compensation: Salary and benefits information can be viewed in the Position Description.
Applicants should forward a resume and Personal Data Sheet (available at the link above) to:
Diana K. Hershey
333 Market Street
Bureau of Human Resources, 11th floor
Harrisburg, PA 17126-0333
Or email all materials to dihershey@pa.gov
By May 4, 2012 close of business.