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Neighborhood Library & Olneyville Partnership Supervisor, Olneyville Library (Providence, RI)

Posted July 22, 2026


*This position is a managerial and confidential non-bargaining unit position, under the supervision of the Systems Coordinator.


CLPVD is seeking someone to fulfill a new staff position, Neighborhood Library & Olneyville Partnership Supervisor, at a new, co-located Olneyville Library in the Joslin Recreation Center. Partner organizations include Joslin Recreation and the Olneyville Resilience Hub (City of Providence). The William D’Abate Elementary School is also located on site, as well as a large public park that includes a basketball court, water park, and playground. The new Olneyville Supervisor will be excited, flexible, and innovative in order to collaborate successfully with partner organizations to develop a thriving neighborhood hub in a densely populated residential neighborhood.

Position Description:

The Neighborhood Library Supervisor is responsible for supporting, energizing, and leading staff to provide relevant library service to the Providence neighborhoods surrounding their library. The Neighborhood Library Supervisor is expected to carry out the mission and vision of the library, participate on committees to develop programs, services, and policies/procedures, and to plan for the future of the Community Libraries of Providence. This position is a managerial and confidential non-bargaining unit position, under the supervision of the Systems Coordinator.

The Neighborhood Library Supervisor, with other administrators, ensures that essential library functions are being implemented by qualified staff. Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to work successfully with culturally diverse patrons of all ages and a diverse staff and team of volunteers are essential. This position requires dedication to connect the library with its immediate community. 

Neighborhood Library Supervisors supervise the library staff and are responsible for the creation and maintenance of a professional and productive team-oriented working environment in the library as well as an open, inviting atmosphere for library users. They are expected to respond to last minute coverage issues outside of traditional working hours, and may occasionally have to handle emergent issues with the support of other administrative staff.

The Neighborhood Library Supervisor will serve as a public services librarian, in addition to their supervisory responsibilities. They will serve patrons–youth or teen/adults depending on their area of expertise–and will coordinate and offer programming to meet the interests and needs of the community. 

The Olneyville Partnership Supervisor will be responsible for piloting the first true co-location of a CLPVD library; in this pilot collaboration, the library will be located in the same building as the Joslin Recreation Center. The library spaces include a Cyber Lobby with privacy pods, a small meeting room, and a computer lab; a traditional library with collections and programming space; and a makerspace lab. The Supervisor will collaborate with the Olneyville Resilience Hub staff, Community Resilience Committee, and Joslin Recreation staff on a coordinating committee to design, plan, and market programs to serve the community and fulfill state grant requirements to offer programs in health monitoring, education, and workforce development. The Supervisor will ensure compliance with the City of Providence’s contract. William D’Abate School is in the same complex; through the Connected Libraries initiative, collaboration with the School Librarian and teaching staff will be an important component of programming.

Essential Job Functions:

Librarian, Teen & Adult:

  • Provides services for either youth or teens & adults, depending on expertise & experience. 
  • Offers programs and outreach in the community.
  • Provides reference and research support for people of all ages.
  • Oversees collection development and management, delegating selection to professional staff.

Olneyville Partnership Supervisor: 

  • Ensure compliance with the City of Providence contract regarding statistics, evaluation, and programs.
  • Participate effectively and enthusiastically with the programming committee, including Joslin Recreation, Olneyville Resilience Hub staff, and the Community Resilience Committee.
  • Support and mentor staff in their new, collaborative roles as part of the shared library & recreation center.
  • Create and pilot new programming and service initiatives that respond to the requirements of a shared community space.
  • Communicate respectfully and promptly with the City of Providence and CLPVD staff regarding any issues that need to be addressed (e.g., maintenance and repairs, conflicts among partners, programming issues, staffing coverage challenges, etc.).
  • Supervise meaningful and purposeful use of the resources in the Cyber-Lobby by supporting and collaborating with the Digital Services Specialist, Digital Services and IT Coordinator, and IT Manager.

Staff Support:

  • Supports all library staff in their roles, independently and with Systems Coordinator support; initiates mentoring, professional development, and/or corrective action as needed. 
  • Will perform or coordinate staff evaluations for staff in their building. 
  • Manages the day-to-day activities of the library staff, including librarian(s), clerk(s), Specialist(s), safety personnel, and volunteers/work study students. Approves bi-weekly timesheets and schedules temporary staff as needed.
  • Actively supports teamwork. Conducts meetings as needed to keep staff up to date on policies, procedures and other library developments.
  • Models exemplary customer service that creates an inclusive, positive, and welcoming environment in the library. 
  • Participates in hiring new staff. Supports and orientates new hires; coordinates training on CLPVD policies and procedures.
  • Performs monthly probationary assessments, initiates mentoring and professional development as needed. At the end of the probationary period, makes recommendations about continued employment at CLPVD. 
  • Performs supervisory duties, including:
  • Reviews and responds to step 1 grievances.
  • Meet with staff and document conversations over issues that arise.
  • Consults with HR Manager and Systems Coordinators regarding the need for coaching or discipline.
  • Coaching session – conduct coaching session, monitor goals and timeline, OR
  • Discipline process – provide documentation to HR; lead verbal and written disciplines, with HR Manager, up to and including termination. 
  • Participates in creation of proposals for collective bargaining negotiations; may join the negotiating team. 
  • Assists with circulation and other services as necessary. Provides coverage in other libraries as required. 

Leadership:

  • Works with Systems Coordinator, Supervisors, Executive Director, Olneyville Resilience Hub staff, Community Resilience Committee, and Joslin Recreation Center staff to analyze, plan, and implement neighborhood library services utilizing the CLPVD strategic plan and state grant.
  • Coordinates and supports development of a menu of programs that meets the community needs for education and entertainment, always referencing the state grant requirements for programs in health monitoring, workforce development, and education.
  • Markets library collections, programs, services and resources in cooperation with Joslin Recreation Center and the Olneyville Resilience Hub.
  • Serves as liaison to the library’s Friends Group. 
  • Collects, maintains and analyzes library statistics.
  • Responsible for monitoring and reporting security, maintenance, and custodial issues. Maintains close communication with the facilities department and City of Providence staff as required.
  • Handles and trains staff to work together to defuse challenging patron interactions to minimize disruption and to keep everyone safe. Keeps records and files incident reports.
  • Responsible for modeling and enforcing CLPVD workplace cleanliness rules.
  • Maintains professional development, including ongoing supervisory training, through workshops and professional affiliations.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

  •  Ability to maintain effective working relationships with library staff and users.
  • Ability to demonstrate successful management of a staff team.
  • Eager to work in a collaborative environment with other administrative staff.
  • Working knowledge of library computer systems and applications including circulation software, internet, online databases, office software, and email. 
  • Working knowledge of the policies, procedures of the Community Libraries of Providence, including mission and vision statements and the ability to implement and articulate them to staff and patrons.
  • Ability to plan, implement, and follow through on independent projects, consistent with the goals and objectives of the Community Libraries of Providence. 
  • Ability to analyze complex problems and develop solutions.
  • Ability to evaluate current services and make recommendations to improve and/or innovate.
  • Ability to speak in public and to make presentations.
  • Ability to communicate clearly both orally and in writing.
  • Ability to interact with diverse patrons including different ages, languages and cultures.
  • Demonstrated ability to de-escalate challenging patron behaviors and to create a safe space for all members of the community, including staff.
  • Bilingual in English/Spanish a plus.
  • Ability to work a flexible schedule when required for coverage and/or emergency situations. 

Benefits:

  • Health benefits include competitive medical and dental coverage.
  • Paid sick leave, paid parental leave, 3 days paid personal leave, 17 paid holidays, and 22 paid vacation days. There is a 6-month waiting period for vacation and a 3-month waiting period for sick leave and personal day usage.
  • Financial benefits include 401(k) investment options with matching employer contributions, and employer-paid life and long-term disability insurance.

Experience and Training:

MLIS degree from an ALA accredited institution with a minimum of three years of relevant professional experience is required; supervisory/managerial experience is preferred.

Hours and Compensation:

  • Salary: $65,000 annual
  • Hours:  40 hours per week w/Benefits
  • Posted:  June 8, 2026
  • Deadline: Applications accepted until the position is filled.

How to Apply

Send resume, cover letter, and three references to: Maria Melvin, HR Manager, [email protected], (401) 467-2700 x.1606

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