Watson Library Operations Manager
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Job Location:
Lawrence, KS - USA
Monthly Salary:
Not Disclosed
Posted on:
11 hours ago
Vacancies:
1 Vacancy
Job Summary
60% - Watson Library Public Services Management and Supervision:
- Providesoversight of circulationand publicservicesattheWatsonservicedesk.
- Overseesthe process of hiring training supervising and scheduling Watson Library service desk employees. Aspects of this oversight are delegated to staff asappropriateand for efficiency.
- Maintains high service quality standards andoverseesongoingpublic operationsassessment tasks and initiatives.
- Managesdailyoperationsoftheservicedesk:overseestheopeningandclosing processassures thatappropriateinformationservicesandreferralsarebeing providedandtakesresponsibilityfordifficult usersandcomplexsituations.
- Maintainsrecordsandpreparesstatisticalreportsrelatingtotheresponsibilitiesandoperationsoftheservicedesk.
- Coordinatescomplexprojectswithotherlibrarysectionsanddepartments.
- servicedeskandlibraryobjectives.
- Reviewsandnegotiatesrequestsforexceptionstopolicyfromlibraryusersforthelibraryunit.
- Plansschedulesandorganizesworkactivitiestomeetunitgoalsandobjectives.
- Maintains close connection with the Art & Architecture Library Operations Manager to provide them with backup staffing support as needed.
- Oversees stacks maintenance in coordination with the Stacks Maintenance Supervisor and KU Libraries Administration.
- Provides frontline technology troubleshooting support for Watson instruction and conference rooms. Trains staff to provide similar frontline support and delegates to IT staff as appropriate.
- Provides orientations to Watson instruction and conference rooms on setup and AV functionality. Oversees the setup of these rooms and the Watson 3 West Reading room for scheduled events.
- Assists Libraries Administration in the monitoring of maintenance repair and renovation issues in Watson Library.
- Meets with the Director of Public Operations Facilities Services staff and needed technicians to help coordinate installations and repairs. Submits and monitors work orders for repairs.
- Liaisons with supervisor and Campus Operations appropriate groups in addressing relevant building and security issues.
- Implements building and weather emergency responses and keeps KU Police library leadership library preservation and other library staff advised of situations as they arise.
- Aids other library units in the building with the implementation of safety procedures as needed.
5% - PublicTechnology Coordination:
- CollaborateswithcampusITtocoordinatetheplanningimplementingandmanagingofpubliccomputingandusercenteredtechnologyinWatsonLibrary.
5% - Other Duties Training Development & Projects:
Participatesin training opportunities for job-specific and developmental purposes. Participates in department/division meetings.
Disclaimer
The University of Kansas prohibits discrimination on the basis of race color ethnicity religion sex national origin age ancestry disability status as a veteran sexual orientation marital status parental status gender identity gender expression and genetic information in the universitys programs and activities. Retaliation is also prohibited by university policy. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies and is the Title IX coordinator for all KU and KUMC campuses: Associate Vice Chancellor for the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Room 1082 Dole Human Development Center 1000 Sunnyside Avenue Lawrence KSTTY.
Work Schedule
M-F 8-5
Contact Information to Applicants
Tonia Morgan
- Bachelors degree.
- Minimum of three years library or related experience.
- Minimum of two years supervisory experience.
- Three years of effective customer service experience.
- Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively within a community in a work and/or public service environment.
- Ability to pay attention to details with a commitment to creating and/or maintaining accurate records as evidenced by application.
- Experience coordinating schedules at one or more service points as evidenced by application.
- Experience performing basic maintenance on a variety of equipment commonly found in libraries as evidenced by application.
- Experience implementing building security open/close procedures and emergency procedures as evidenced by application.
- Ability to work as part of a team as well as independently in a continuously changing environment as evidenced by application.
- Ability to work under pressure and handle work-related stress as evidenced by application.
- Demonstrated knowledge of or experience with common classroom technology and hardware/software often utilized in Makerspaces as evidenced by application.
Position Overview
The Watson Library Operations Manager position oversees circulation services and frontline public services including direct supervision of Watson Access Services staff (Night & Weekend Supervisor Library Assistant Circulation Business Specialist Stacks Maintenance Supervisor) and student employees. This position fosters and maintains quality customer service and reliable staffing and operations in Watson Library.
The Operations Manager coordinates facilities and repair activities oversees stacks management public technology implementation and supplies conference room setup and frontline tech support and provides day-to-day coordination with other KU Libraries employees as their projects intersect with public services in the building. This dynamic user-focused position reports to the Director of Public Operations and collaborates with many people and units to support programs and space needs along with staff across the KU Libraries and other University departments.
Additional Candidate Instruction
In addition to the online application the following documents are required to be considered for this position:
- A cover letter addressing how required and preferred qualifications are met.
- Resume or curriculum vitae.
- Contact information for three (3) professional references.
Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Application review begins Monday 5/18/2026 and will continue until a qualified pool of applicants is identified.
Required Experience:
Manager
About Company
Thank you for your interest in employment with the University of Kansas. If you need assistance with the application process please contact Human Resources at [email protected] or 785-864-4946.
