Senior Librarian, Head of Reference

Overview

Location:Cape Coral-Lee County Public Library - 921 S.W. 39th Terrace, Cape Coral, FL 33914

At the Lee County Library System, we do more than lend books — we build community. With 13 active branches, innovative resources, and impactful programs, we empower people of all ages to explore, learn, and connect.

If you’re passionate about public service, creativity, and helping others thrive, this is your opportunity to grow your career and make a real difference.

• Be part of a team that values innovation, collaboration, and community engagement
• Work in a 13-branch system serving a diverse and growing population
• Deliver programs, services, and resources that inspire learning and lifelong curiosity
• Support access to books, technology, and opportunity—for everyone in our community

Located in beautiful Southwest Florida, Lee County is a growing region known for its white-sand beaches, active lifestyle, and welcoming communities. Home to over 800,000 residents, it’s a great place to live, work, and grow your career. With excellent schools, recreational opportunities, and a high quality of life, Lee County offers the perfect blend of work and play.

As the Senior Librarian, Head of Reference, you will lead Adult and Reference Services at a regional library, providing high-level public service while supervising staff, coordinating workflow, and ensuring exceptional service delivery. This role requires considerable independent judgment, initiative, and a strong commitment to fostering a welcoming, inclusive, and service-oriented environment for patrons and staff alike.

• Supervise, train, coach, schedule, and evaluate staff and volunteers to ensure effective workflow and high-quality public service.
• Use sound professional judgment and established policies to maintain a competent, customer-focused team.
• Provide stellar customer service to patrons of all ages, offering assistance with computers, electronic resources, reference services, and readers’ advisory.
• Demonstrate strong proficiency in readers’ advisory across all age groups.
• Oversee ongoing collection maintenance and development for Adult/Reference Services, including selection, weeding, and the creation of engaging displays.
• Coordinate and monitor adult programming at the branch, including planning, presenting, and evaluating programs both in the library and at outreach locations.
• Present tours and programs for school and community groups visiting the library.
• Provide technology training and support to both staff and patrons.
• Serve as the person-in-charge for designated days or shifts, acting as primary backup for branch operations in the absence of the location manager.
• Explain, interpret, and administer library policies and procedures with professionalism and tact.
• Actively pursue professional development opportunities and stay current with emerging technologies and library trends.
• Communicate effectively and work collaboratively with co-workers, administration, technical services, and staff from other branches.
• Coordinate programming and activities that encourage positive use of the library by children and teens.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with the Library Friends group and other community organizations to promote library services.
• Relate positively to a diverse population and communicate clearly in both oral and written forms as an active member of the public service team.
• Address facility management needs as appropriate and assist with all patron services throughout the branch.
• Provide prompt, courteous, and inclusive service to patrons of all ages and backgrounds.

To succeed in this role, you’ll need strong communication skills, the ability to work collaboratively with a team, and a commitment to providing inclusive service to a diverse community. You should be comfortable engaging with patrons of all ages, including children, teens, and those who speak languages other than English. Initiative, creativity, and flexibility are key—along with a willingness to grow and learn.

Spanish language skills are a plus.

• Requires any combination of…