About this role
Company Description
Application Opening: October 29, 2026
Application Deadline: Applicants are encouraged to apply immediately as this recruitment may close at any time, but no earlier than 12AM on Friday, November 13, 2026.
About San Francisco Public Library
The San Francisco Public Library (SFPL) connects our diverse communities to learning, opportunities, and each other. The library system includes the architecturally significant Main Library, an anchor institution in the city's Civic Center, 27 neighborhood branch libraries that serve all neighborhoods throughout the city, two administrative buildings and four bookmobiles. With a collection of more than 5 million items, and circulation exceeding 14.5 million each year, SFPL serves more than 4.5 million visitors annually.
The library embraces its role as the most democratic of institutions, providing safe and welcoming facilities for all. Through a robust array of services and programs, the library is dedicated to advancing literacy and learning, serving as a cultural amplifier, acting as a catalyst for community engagement, guiding patrons as a thoughtful navigator, and providing essential resources to support healthy, equitable communities. For more information about SFPL, please visit www.sfpl.org .
SFPL Statement on Racial Equity:
SFPL must build a culture, space and workplace that is accessible and welcoming to all current and future employees and to actively build an environment in which all people regardless of background, identity, or ability, can be equal participants. In this way, our staff at all organizational levels can reflect the communities we serve. A safe, equitable public library is an actively anti-racist public library. Creating an inclusive public library means aligning with the lived realities of people of color. SFPL is committed to advancing racial equity for our workforce and community, and will actively engage in anti-racist practice programs, and collection development in carrying out the Library's mission.
Why work at SFPL?
Watch these videos where employees share personal stories and what they love about their work at San Francisco Public Library: Why I Work Here...SFPL
Learn more about career opportunities at Exploring Careers | San Francisco Public Library
Job Description
Position Overview
As a key member of the executive leadership team, the Chief of Collections and Technical Services (CTS) is responsible for providing strategic vision, leadership, and operational management for the San Francisco Public Library’s system-wide collections infrastructure and technical services. Under the general direction of the City Librarian and supervision of Chief of Public Services, the Chief of Collections and Technical Services oversees an annual division budget of $31.4 million, including a materials expenditure budget exceeding $20 million, and leads a team of 59 FTE across Acquisitions, Cataloging, Collection Development, Preservation, and Processing.
The Role
The Chief of Collections and Technical Services provides leadership and directs the operations of Collections and Technical Services which consists of 59 FTE and includes the functional areas of Acquisitions, Cataloging, Collection Development, Preservation and Processing. The Chief provides direct supervision to two 3634 Librarian III positions, and an 1842 Management Assistant, and works closely with the other division Chiefs in both public services and operations teams.
As a core member of the Public Services Team, the Chief of Collections and Technical Services directs the comprehensive operations of the Collections and Technical Services Division, which encompasses the critical functional areas of Acquisitions, Cataloging, Collection Development, Preservation, and Processing. This Chief position is responsible for formulating, monitoring, and evaluating the library system's collection policies and procedures to ensure exemplary customer service and optimal user experience. Key operational duties include managing the procurement, licensing, and public availability of print and digital assets, overseeing complex metadata and cataloging standards, and maintaining book conservation and historic preservation practices. Additionally, this position spearheads major circulation and collection infrastructure improvements, including the optimization of the Integrated Library System (ILS), Link+, and engages in data driven decision-making.
Essential functions of the position include: formulating, monitoring and evaluating the implementation and effectiveness of policies, practices and procedures related to Collections and Technical Services operations; ensuring that expenditures, policies and procedures provide the best possible user experience and service excellence for San Francisco’s diverse user base; fostering dialogue and feedback with other divisions and units of the Library, City departments, Library partners, and the public while building an understanding of the Collections and Technical Services Division; overseeing, planning and implementing systems and workflows relevant to collection development, acquisitions, cataloging, processing and preservation of library materials; performing other job-related duties.
Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate for the Chief of Collections and Technical Services is a visionary library executive who combines deep expertise in collections and technical services with exceptional leadership, financial stewardship, innovation, and a strong commitment to public service. This individual can look beyond daily operations to develop and implement a long-term strategic vision for library collections, access, and resource management. They understand how collection development, preservation, metadata, and technology advance the Library's mission and respond to the evolving needs of the community. The successful candidate is a highly collaborative leader who builds trust across diverse stakeholder groups and fosters strong partnerships throughout the organization and the broader community.
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications:
1. Possession of a Master's Degree in Library and Information Studies (MLS/MLIS) from a college or university accredited by the American Library Association. AND
2. Four (4) years of verifiable managerial experience in an urban library. (all of which must include supervisory)
Applicants must meet the minimum qualification requirement by the final filing date unless otherwise noted.
One (1) year full-time employment is equivalent to 2,000 hours (2,000 hours of qualifying work experience is based on a 40 hour work week). Any overtime hours that you work above 40 hours per week are not included in the calculation to determine full-time employment.
Desirable Qualifications: The stated desirable qualifications may be considered at the end of the selection process when candidates are referred for hiring.
• Passion for the role of the public library, able to advocate and articulate the Library’s mission.
• Current knowledge of public library trends and forward-thinking vision for library services.
• Demonstrated ability to manage diverse teams and foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, continuous improvement, and respect across the organization.
• Experience in designing and implementing new initiatives; ability to lead and engage staff to embrace change for positive organizational development.
• Excellent management skills and keen political acumen. Strong analytical ability for evaluating library services.
• Experience providing strategic leadership for collections, technical services, or related library operations in a large, complex library system.
• Experience in overseeing or supporting book and digital conservation and preservation for library collections and materials.
• Experience administering or optimizing Integrated Library System (ILS), i.e. Sierra or comparable library platforms.
• Knowledge of the library vendor landscape for collections in all formats, with proficiency in eBook, eMedia and eLearning platforms.
• Effective communicator, both oral and written communications, with expertise in delivering presentations to internal and external stakeholders.
• Strong computing skills and experience creating, implementing and/or using budget management tools.
• Commitment to public service and delivering exemplary customer service.
Verification of Education and Experience:
Every application is reviewed to ensure that you meet the minimum qualifications as listed in the job ad. Review SF Careers Employment Applications for considerations taken when reviewing applications.
Applicants may be required to submit verification of qualifying education and experience at any point during the recruitment and selection process. If education or experience verification is required, information on how to verify education and experience requirements, including verifying foreign education credits or degree equivalency, can be found at https://careers.sf.gov/knowledge/experience-education/ .
Note : Falsifying one’s education, training, or work experience or attempted deception on the application may result in disqualification for this and future job opportunities with the City and County of San Francisco.
Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed City and County of San Francisco application.
Applications completed improperly may be cause for ineligibility, disqualification or may lead to lower scores.
Selection Procedure:
The selection process will include evaluation of applications in relation to minimum requirements. Depending on the number of applicants, the department may establish and implement additional screening mechanisms to comparatively evaluate the qualifications of candidates. San Francisco Public Library may administer additional position-specific selection procedures to make final hiring decision for this position. Only those candidates whose qualifications most closely meet the needs of the department will continue in the departmental selection process, which may consist of an oral interview, and/or performance exercise.
Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed to advance through all of the steps in the selection process.
Additional Information
Application Opening: October 29, 2026
Application Deadline: Applicants are encouraged to apply immediately as this recruitment may close at any time, but no earlier than 12AM on Friday, November 13, 2026.
Compensation and Benefits:
The normal annual salary range is $161,382 and $205,972. Appointment above the maximum of the normal range may be considered based on documented and substantiated recruitment and retention issues or exceptional skills. A special approval process is necessary for appointment above the normal salary range.
In addition, the City and County of San Francisco (City) offers comprehensive benefit programs which include:
• Medical, Vision, Dental, and Life insurance
• Long-term disability plan; Flexible Spending Accounts
• Pension Plan; Retiree Healthcare; Deferred Compensation Program
• Paid Management Training Program; Wellness Program
• Paid Vacation, Holidays, Sick Leave; Management Leave
Additional information about the City’s Management Benefits .
Additional Information Regarding Employment with the City and County of San Francisco:
- Information About the Hiring Process (https://careers.sf.gov/knowledge/process/)
- Conviction History (http://sfdhr.org/conviction-history-faq)
- Employee Benefits Overview (https://sfdhr.org/benefits-overview)
- Equal Employment Opportunity (https://sfdhr.org/equal-employment-opportunity)
- Disaster Service Worker (https://careers.sf.gov/knowledge/#:~:text=a%20later%20date.-,Disaster%20Service%20Workers,-By%20State%20law)
- ADA Accommodation (https://careers.sf.gov/accommodations/)
- Right to Work (https://careers.sf.gov/knowledge/#:~:text=Identification/Right%20to%20Work)
- Copies of Application Documents (https://careers.sf.gov/knowledge/#:~:text=Copies%20of%20Application%20Documents)
- Diversity Statement (https://sfdhr.org/recruitment-details#diversitystatement)
Where to Apply
All job applications for the City and County of San Francisco must be submitted through our online portal. Please visit https://careers.sf.gov/ to begin your application process.
Computers are available for the public (9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday) to file online applications in the lobby of the Dept. of Human Resources at 1 South Van Ness Avenue, 4th Floor and at the City Career Center at City Hall , 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, Room 110.
Ensure your application information is accurate, as changes may not be possible after submission. Your first and last name must match your legal ID for verification, and preferred names can be included in parentheses. Use your personal email address, not a shared or work email, to avoid unfixable issues.
Applicants will receive a confirmation email from [email protected] that their online application has been received in response to every announcement for which they file. Applicants should retain this confirmation email for their records. Failure to receive this email means that the online application was not submitted or received.
If you have any questions, you may contact Meiyi Ouyang at [email protected] .
Recruitment ID: RTF0166302-01114341
The City and County of San Francisco encourages women, minorities and persons with disabilities to apply. Applicants will be considered regardless of their sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition (associated with cancer, a history of cancer, or genetic characteristics), HIV/AIDS status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran status, or other protected category under the law.