Coordinator Of The Public Libraries Of Beirut

About Assabil:

Assabil is a non-governmental organization founded in 1997 to promote reading and free access to culture. By creating public libraries as non-sectarian and open spaces for cultural exchange and providing access to information and reading, Assabil filled a void in postwar Lebanon.

The 1998 municipal elections prompted Assabil to organize a national conference the following year to lobby for public reading and the creation of libraries in municipalities all over Lebanon – and to launch an effort to create a network of public libraries in the country.

In cooperation with Ile-de-France Region, Assabil reached a historic agreement with the Municipality of Beirut to establish a network of municipal public libraries. The first municipal public library of Beirut opened its doors in 2000 in Bachoura. It is surrounded by approximately 20 public schools that are located within a 10-minute walking distance. Assabil has also opened libraries in Geitawi (2004) and Monot (2008) and launched a mobile library in 2008 to serve primarily public schools and non-formal education centers in remote areas.

What We Do

We welcome people of all ages, religions, and socio-economic and educational backgrounds to enjoy our services that include:

• Free access to the three municipal public libraries of Beirut
• A network of 20 public libraries all around Lebanon
• Community outreach through a mobile library that visits public schools and NGOs serving underprivileged children
• Regular cultural and educational activities in Beirut
• Resource material and activity toolkits targeting librarians and educators
• A Resource and Training Center for professionals in public libraries, schools, cultural centers, and community-based organizations 
• Consultancy services for individuals and entities interested in establishing libraries

We also seek partnerships with municipalities across Lebanon to establish and operate public libraries.

Job Summary:

In order to contribute to the promotion culture for all, the Libraries Coordinator, in coordination with the Executive Coordinator and library staff, will be entrusted with implementing the Assabil Association's mission and vision in the public libraries of Beirut and the mobile library or “Kotobus”. They will ensure the management of the Beirut public libraries, develop libraries’ services and organizing the activities in the libraries for a wide range of audiences.

They will report directly to the Executive Coordinator on the overall progress of the libraries. The Libraries Coordinator will be working closes with Assabil librarians and Kotobus animators, and the main office staff. Additionally, the Libraries Coordinator is expected to regularly interact with booksellers, publishers and authors, schools and universities, cultural institutions in Lebanon, the Ministry of Culture, Ministry of Education and Ministry of Social Affairs, public libraries across Lebanon and local civil society organizations.

This is a full-time position and requires 40 working hours weekly.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Define the libraries’ services policy, in accordance with ASSABIL’s mission and objectives
• Define the annual action plan and develop the medium-term action plans for the libraries in coordination with the EC and in accordance with the financial resources available. These action plans are to be approved by the Administrative committee. 
• Defines the libraries assessments plans and tools in coordination with the librarians
• Defines indicators to evaluate the libraries’ services and activities; prepares templates for libraries’ reports
• Analyzes the statistical reports and evaluates the services
• Makes the necessary recommendations for the development of the libraries and their services.  
• Participates in Assabil’s consultations on the creation of new libraries
• Initiates local partnerships to improve library services and programs
• Supervises the definition of collections development policy the acquisition process, and the management of book donations
• Supervises the plan for collecting, managing, integrating and promoting digital resources in Assabil collections, with respect of copyrights.  Negotiate with the vendor for the licenses
• Supervises the organization of the libraries’ collections and the services in order to ensure easy access and usage. Defines internal rules on library usage and code of conduct in coordination with the librarians
• Conducts libraries assessments, analyzes them in coordination with the librarians, and develops innovative action plans; presents synthetically reports and plans to the AC, in coordination with the Executive Coordinator.   
• Leads the cultural activities programming committee; suggests and initiates programs to promotes the libraries as lively cultural spaces for all;  supervises the activities at the libraries to ensure their smooth running; -manage activity scheduling at libraries; evaluates their impact and ensures that they meet the needs of users; cooperates with associations and various cultural institutions for the implementation of activities.
• Supervises the regular service of the Kotobus
• Supervises the collaboration with school and the school support program Coordinates on programs with the Ministry of Education
• Develops volunteering programs to be implemented in ASSABIL’s libraries; coordinates with institutions and organizations to organize community services in the libraries for their students or employees or members.  
• Defines clear working rules and methodologies with the librarians; ensures the proper distribution of tasks within the team, supervises the work, organizes schedules and ensures compliance. Decisions on changes in responsibilities will be made with the approval of the Executive Coordinator as well as proposals for the creation of new positions, which will require the agreement of the Administrative Committee.
• Ensures regular evaluations of the librarians and develops capacity building plans; contributes to their training and makes sure that the libraries’ team is on the required level.  
• Manages libraries’ equipment (including overseeing the maintenance of computers and electronic equipment). Defines number and technical specifications of new equipment if needed to be purchased by the Executive office.

Supervises the smooth functioning of the library system and the development of the database, follows up with the provider and the maintenance company for technical problems and software updates and recommends the addition of modules if necessary, ensures that his/her team is well trained on new updates of the system

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Library Management, Information Science, Cultural Mediation or any related fields.
• At least 3 years of experience in the management of cultural spaces and library management systems.

Skills

• Excellent spoken and written skills in Arabic & English & French
• Strong leadership, communication and conflict resolution skills.
• Ability to work in a diverse environment, with tolerance and respect for cultural diversity.
• Team player, with a high level of self-motivation, ability to manage workloads; a strong ability to prioritize and provide the necessary support in time-sensitive tasks.
• Creativity, drive, initiative, organizational skills, attention to detail, and managements skills 
• Excellent computer skills

If you are qualified and interested please submit your CV and a cover letter detailing your interest in the position to Assabil Executive Coordinator [email protected] with the subject “Coordinator of the public Libraries of Beirut”.

Application deadline: 15 November 2020

Salary Range: depending on experience