LIBRARY ADMINISTRATOR FOR BLIND AND HANDICAPPED SERVICES

This is administrative library work directing a regional library program for the provision of services to people who are blind or who have visual impairments, physical handicaps, or reading disabilities. The employee in this class manages a state funded contract to provide direct mail library services to eligible patrons using braille, large print, and recorded reading materials. The employee manages a moderate size staff of librarians, clerical workers, store personnel and technical employees through subordinate supervisors. Interaction with governmental and private funding resource agencies, and consultation with library administrators regarding the development and implementation of service programs are significant aspects of the work. The employee reports to the Chief of the Access Services Division.

ALLOCATING FACTORS: (The following conditions must be met for a position to be allocated to this class.)

Plans, develops, and implements a program of library service to all eligible people who are blind or who have visual impairments, physical handicaps, or reading disabilities residing in eastern Pennsylvania and of braille service to all eligible persons in Pennsylvania and by contract to eligible persons in other states; confers with other library administrators, the Division Chief, and subordinate librarian staff on program development and implementation; revises nature and scope of services offered in view of national guidelines and state standards.

Manages, through subordinate supervisors, the operations of a library for people who are blind or who have visual impairments, physical handicaps, or reading disabilities; reviews and revises operational procedures and policies to better accomplish program goals and objectives; supervises, through a subordinate librarian, acquisition, collection development, cataloging, book selection, and reader service activities; supervises the periodic weeding of damaged or obsolete material and the repair of useful damaged items; supervises a field service operation for the delivery, pick up, and repair of tape and digital machines; directs through a subordinate supervisor the receiving, storing, shipping, and mailing of books and magazines; supervises the operation of an integrated library system; confers with software vendors and contracted systems personnel to establish and maintain updated system operations; supervises, through subordinates, the activities of a large volunteer service force including Braille transcribers who produce braille volumes, volunteers who voice tape and digital books and magazines, and technicians who repair tape and digital recorders, the activities of a large volunteer service force including braille transcribers who produce braille volumes, volunteers who voice tape and digital books and magazines, and technicians who repair tape and digital players and machines.

Participates in contract negotiations with state agencies for funding of the library program; prepares agency budget statements for approval; prepares city budget statements and justification for budget presentation; reviews and participates in negotiating contracts with the Library of Congress for the acquisition of books, magazines, equipment, promotional material, and catalogs; writes specifications for and participates in negotiating service contracts for such items as leasing of building space and maintenance of computer equipment; leads the research, development, and implementation of grant proposals for special projects funded by foundations, corporations, and governmental agencies.

Maintains liaison with library administrators and volunteer agencies for people who are blind or who have visual impairments, physical handicaps, or reading disabilities on a regional and state level; discusses the needs of people who are blind or who have visual impairments, physical handicaps, or reading disabilities blind readers and other persons prevented by illness or disability from reading in a normal manner; recommends the revision or adoption of programs and services to be supported by state and federal funds.

Directs, through subordinate staff the continued and expanded use of available services by appropriate institutions and agencies; visits schools, hospitals, convalescent homes and other sources of potential patrons; explains to administrators and health professionals the library's program for people who are blind or who have visual impairments, physical handicaps, or reading disabilities; requests agency cooperation in providing book depositories or mail service for use by eligible persons; supervises the development and distribution of publicity materials relevant to services offered.

Attends meetings and conferences pertaining to library administration; serves on boards and committees of agencies and bodies serving the blind.

KNOWLEDGE OF:

Principles, practices, and techniques of library organization and management, particularly as they apply to services to for people who are blind or who have visual impairments, physical handicaps, or reading disabilities.
The principles and practices of library services, collections, and programs, specifically to target audiences.
Effective methods of promotion of library services, collections and programs in the community.
Assistive technology, adaptive software and equipment, and web accessibility
Public and private funding available for library services for people who are blind or who have visual impairments, physical handicaps, or reading disabilities.
Administrative functions of project management, including budgets, resource allocation, data collection, and outcome evaluation.
Modern concepts of building planning, library design, space utilization, and evaluation of equipment need for the utilization of library materials by people who are blind or who have visual impairments, physical handicaps, or reading disabilities.
Methods and practices for development and training of staff in providing specialized library services.
Utilization of computers and web-based technology to address library applications.
Principles and regulations of the ADA (1990 and revisions 2009) and other relevant laws, such as Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act (1973) and Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act (2000).
Issues and requirements of relevant policies of the American Library Association (ALA) such as the Policy on Serving People with Disabilities (2001), on Library Website Accessibility (2009), and on Purchasing of Accessible Electronic Resources (2009).
Supervisory methods and techniques.

ABILITY TO:

Conduct needs assessment in regard to library services to people who are blind or who have visual impairments, physical handicaps, or reading disabilities.
Analyze, implement and evaluate library services based on expressed community needs.
Present ideas effectively, both orally and in writing.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with administrative personnel, associates, consortia, associations of consumers, service-providing organizations, library staff recipients of library service, and all levels of government: local, state, federal.

Possession of a fifth year degree from an accredited school of library science.

Five years of librarian experience providing public service, which has included:

at least two years providing library services for people who are blind or who have visual impairments, physical handicaps, or reading disabilities including providing accessible technology for people who are blind or who have visual impairments, physical handicaps, or reading disabilities and
at least two years in a second supervisory level in a large public library.

Preferred: Ability to read braille.

PHYSICAL AND MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS
Ability to physically perform the duties and to work in the environmental conditions required of a position in this class.

PAY RANGE: EP24

Class Established: 8/66

Spec. Revision: 9/88

Latest Spec. Revision:
CSC: 12/09, Ad Board: 1/10

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9B23LIBRARY ADMINISTRATOR FOR BLIND AND HANDICAPPED SERVICES

9B23
LIBRARY ADMINISTRATOR FOR BLIND AND HANDICAPPED SERVICES