Research Library Manager

The Kentucky Historical Society is searching for a skilled and dynamic leader to manage the daily operations of the Martin F. Schmidt Research Library. This library is home to extensive holdings of Kentucky history and genealogy and is an essential resource for scholars, family history researchers, students, and anyone interested in deepening their understanding of Kentucky history.

This position holds crucial leadership and managerial role within KHS’s Research and Publications team. The Research Library Manager collaborates with colleagues and patrons to align library activities with KHS priorities and annual program plans to confidently advance the Kentucky Historical Society’s mission, values, and strategic priorities.

The Research Library Manager oversees the daily operations of the library, manages reference resources, administers the award-winning Kentucky Ancestors suite of services, and contributes to the development of library collections. The KHS research library caters to thousands of patrons and researchers annually through various modes, including onsite visitation, outreach, public presentations, mail, email correspondence, phone inquiries, and online visits. The Research Library Manager is pivotal in establishing and implementing a vision to create a modern research environment that provides easy access to Kentucky’s historical information.

The KHS campus has three sites in historic downtown Frankfort:  the Old State Capitol; the Kentucky Military History Museum; and the Thomas D. Clark Center for Kentucky History serving as KHS headquarters with a signature museum, exhibits, library, research facilities, object & archival collections, museum store, and more. KHS is a Smithsonian Affiliate and has full American Alliance of Museums accreditation.

For more information about KHS, please visit history.ky.gov.

Key Responsibilities:

• Manages the day-to-day operations of KHS’s Martin F. Schmidt Research Library, including the training, scheduling, and supervision of staff, interns, and volunteers involved in research services.
• Serves on the Research and Publications management team. Helps set team priorities and works to ensure good organizational communication.
• Oversees the conceptualization, development, implementation, and evaluation of services and programs that address patron needs on subjects including genealogy, primary sources, and local history.
• Ensures the research library staff are prepared to provide excellent service and continuously evaluates the overall patron research experience.
• Ensures the team follows established policies and procedures, modeling best practices for research library operations. Maintains a healthy and safe environment for staff and patrons.
• Monitors and evaluates the efficiency and effectiveness of the operations and makes appropriate adjustments. Establishes and reports metrics and statistics of the library’s operation.
• Provides financial stewardship of the library’s activities, which includes working with agency leadership to establish a team budget, procure products and services, and meet revenue projections.
• Ensures the upkeep of the library’s digital assets, including hardware, software, and subscription services.
• Proactively seeks new collecting opportunities to enhance KHS library collection.  Monitors collections development needs based on patron usage and current trends.
• Supervises the KHS Genealogy Librarian to implement genealogy and family history programs, including Kentucky Ancestors Online, the Kentucky Ancestors television show (which appears statewide on eight television networks), genealogy-related social media, public programs, and more.

For a complete position description, please visit history.ky.gov/about/careers and click on the job posting.

Qualifications:

• Education/Experience: Seeking a well-rounded professional with experience managing a library or library system. Minimum of three years’ experience in a library and a Master’s degree in Library and Information Science from an ALA accredited program or another related field is required. Preference will be given to candidates with a knowledge of history and genealogy. Candidate must possess excellent customer service and interpersonal skills and be comfortable speaking in front of groups large and small in both formal and informal settings. Attention to detail, accuracy, timeliness, and project management experience required. This position works Tuesday through Saturday, with some occasional evenings and some travel.
• Computer Skills:  Must be proficient in Microsoft Office, online databases, web publishing software, social media tools, and websites.

Working Conditions:

• Work Environment - Ability to organize files and projects and complete them on time.  Must be able to manage multiple projects from concept to completion. Must be willing to work some evenings, and occasionally travel.
• Probationary Period:     This job has an initial probationary period of six (6) months.

This is a full-time, Tuesday through Saturday position located in Frankfort, Kentucky, that reports to the Director of Research and Publications.  This is an unclassified (non-merit) state government position pursuant to KRS 18A.115(1)(u). The annual salary for this position is $46,059.12. Benefits include health and life insurance, optional dental and vision insurance, vacation and sick leave, holiday pay, 401(k), and optional deferred compensation plans.  Interested applicants should submit a cover letter and current resume via email to khshr@ky.gov. No telephone calls will be accepted. The deadline for submissions is March 8, 2024. Late and incomplete applications will not be considered. 

Questions concerning this job opportunity should be addressed to KHSHR@ky.gov.

KHS is an Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D.