Davenport, IA Supervisor of Adult Services

Why work for The Davenport Public Library? 

We're not just about books—we’re a community hub where imagination, learning, and connection thrive. If you are enthusiastic about making a positive impact in your community and providing public service, we invite you to join us in our mission to connect a diverse community to resources that educate, enrich, and entertain. Ready to turn the page on a new adventure? Come be part of our team!

Definition
This position is responsible for planning, organizing, managing, and evaluating the day-to-day operation of the Information Services department; trains, supervises, and evaluates assigned employees; works with patrons of all ages and diverse backgrounds; interprets and enforces policy; problem solves and exercises good judgement; selects and evaluates materials in various formats and subject areas; acts as person in charge of building(s) and operations as needed; maintains a knowledge of current library practices; actively serves as a member of The Library leadership team and works cooperatively with administration and supervisors to advance the goals and mission of the organization; and performs various other duties as assigned.

This position may require scheduling at any library facility as well as off-site locations during days, nights, and weekends. 

Examples of Duties

• Creates a welcoming environment by providing excellent customer service and 
maintaining the appearance of public areas.
• Demonstrates commitment to The Library’s mission and vision by actively promoting 
services and resources.
• Communicates effectively with colleagues, patrons, stakeholders, and the community 
by responding to queries in a timely manner.
• Communicates organizational priorities, decisions, and policies to employees in a 
timely manner and ensures compliance.
• Actively participates as a member of the leadership team by sharing ideas that help to 
make needed organizational change.
• Demonstrates effective leadership by supporting and promoting the mission and vision 
of The Library by recognizing issues and taking the initiative to make changes.
• Establishes and maintains positive working relationships with colleagues through open 
communication and offering expertise to improve processes, systems, and The Library 
as a whole.
• Maintains confidentiality and manages employee performance through effective use of 
goal setting, performance feedback, evaluation, and coaching.
• Assists in the interviewing and selection process as appropriate.
• Manages the workflow of others, creating team schedules and delegating tasks.
• Prepares and manages department documentation, procedures, and training manuals.
• Represents library at consortium and statewide meetings as related to job duties.
• Maintains public relations though the promotion of materials, events, services, and 
public appearance and presentations as needed. 
• Compiles reference and collection statistics and contributes to reports as needed. 
• Creates programming for adults to meet educational needs within budget. 
• Supervises the development of tools such as displays, blog posts, and LibGuides to 
increase access to materials and information.
• Determines services to provide to patrons and the community.
• Provides reference services and researches patron information requests and uses 
standard library resources to provide answers.
• Oversees the makerspace and provides maintenance and makes decisions on additions 
to services.
• Selects and evaluates adult library materials.

Qualifications
Master’s Degree in Library Science from an ALA-accredited college or university. Minimum of three (3) years of professional library experience with two (2) years supervisory experience. Public library experience preferred. Certification with the State Library of Iowa required upon employment and retained throughout employment.

Knowledge and Skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively with colleagues and 
diverse groups.
• Ability to provide positive, inspiring, and motivating leadership.
• Supervisory experience with training, coaching, and evaluating employees.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks, troubleshoot, and problem-solve beyond routine issues.
• Knowledge of reference services and materials selection.
• Knowledge of community needs for library materials and services.
• Knowledge of techniques to effectively supervise employees in multiple locations.

More Information & To Apply