Library - Director

Sam T Wilson Public Library is hiring their next Library Director in Arlington, TN! 

The Library - Director I supports the LS&S mission, vision, and values through exceptional leadership and dedicated customer focus. The Library - Director I is responsible for ensuring contract requirements are met in a single-location library system. The Director will lead a team of library staff members who are committed to creating a thriving library in the heart of their community. The Library - Director I will be responsible for building a strong partnership with their local official(s) and managing the customer relationship. 

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITES

An individual must be able to perform each essential duty and responsibility satisfactorily.

• Manages with integrity, honesty, and knowledge to promote the culture, values, and mission of LS&S and creates thriving libraries in the heart of our communities
• Evaluate library environments and key operational indicators to identify problems, concerns, and opportunities for improvement
• Reports regularly to the VP of Library Operations and meets weekly with VP via ZOOM on a set schedule
• Coaches’ library staff to help achieve operational goals
• Monitors and manages staffing levels
• Develops the library team to deliver excellent customer service and patron experiences
• Evaluates and supports the performance of library staff
• Implements action plans that meet operational and organizational objectives
• Keeps current with library trends, issues, and technology as well as political, economic, and demographic issues that may affect library services and advanced programming
• Plans and executes local, regional, and company initiatives to achieve both operational excellence and business results; follows up consistently to ensure accountability to plans
• Utilizes existing tools and best practices to ensure effective library operations
• Utilizes and helps Library staff utilize management information tools and analyzes financial reports and other library-related data (usage, demographics, trends, etc.) to identify and address library system trends and issues
• Oversee the selection, acquisition, and processing of library materials to meet public needs within the structure of library selection policies and budgetary limitations
• Responsible for the local management of the customer relationship (city/county officials, governing boards, library boards)
• Regularly solicit client, other stakeholder, and patron feedback to understand client needs and the needs of the local community
• Establish a positive, healthy, and safe work environment in accordance with all appropriate legislation and regulations
• Oversee the implementation of the human resources policies, procedures, and practices
• Know, understand, and administer the American Library Association’s Library Bill of Rights, Freedom to Read Statement, and Freedom to View Statement, recognizing that freedom of access is a fundamental tenet of a public library. In addition to these freedoms, support client discretion of materials available at your local library(ies)
• Follow all legal and policy requirements related to patron privacy and custodianship of patron records
• Other duties as assigned

An individual should possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities listed and meet the amount of education, training, and/or work experience required.

• MLIS degree is required
• One to three years of supervisory experience preferred
• Experience analyzing and applying financial reports and library-related data (usage, demographics, trends, etc.)
• Basic knowledge of programming and financial management
• Experience in a role that requires frequent interaction with patrons, fulfilling the requests of patrons, and responsibility for addressing patron issues, questions, and suggestions
• The Library Director should demonstrate competence in all of the following:
• Adaptability: Demonstrate a willingness to be flexible, versatile, and/or tolerant in a changing work environment while maintaining effectiveness and efficiency
• Behave Ethically: Understand ethical behavior and business practices, and ensure that own behavior and the behavior of others are consistent with these standards and align with the values of the organization
• Build Relationships: Establish and maintain positive working relationships with others, both internally and externally, to achieve the goals of the organization
• Communicate Effectively: Speak, listen, and write in a clear, thorough, and timely manner using appropriate and effective communication tools and techniques
• Creativity/Innovation: Develop new and unique ways to improve the operations of the library and to create new opportunities
• Focus on Client Needs: Anticipate, understand, and respond to the needs of internal and external clients to meet or exceed their expectations within the organizational parameters
• Foster Teamwork: Work cooperatively and effectively with others to set goals, resolve problems, and make decisions that enhance organizational effectiveness
• Lead: Positively influence others to achieve results that are in the best interest of the organization
• Make Decisions: Assess situations to determine the importance, urgency, and risks, and make clear decisions that are timely and in the best interests of the organization
• Organize: Set priorities, develop a work schedule, monitor progress toward goals, and track details, data, information, and activities
• Plan: Determine strategies to move the organization forward, set goals, create and implement actions plans, and evaluate the process and results
• Solve Problems: Assess problem situations to identify causes, gather and process relevant information, generate possible solutions, and make recommendations and/or resolve the problem
• Think Strategically: Assesses options and actions based on trends and conditions in the environment and the vision and values of the organization
• Resilience – the ability to pivot in response to challenges, maintain flexibility, and regulate emotions to remain focused and effective in one’s work.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to sit for long periods of time and to maintain focus on projects such as computer screens or detailed paperwork.
• Occasionally lifting of items weighing up to twenty-five (25) pounds such as files, books, and other materials.

Benefits

• Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)
• Tuition Assistance
• Retirement Plan (401k)
• Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary & AD&D)
• Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick & Public Holidays)
• Short Term & Long-Term Disability
• Training & Development
• Wellness Resources
• Salary range - $70,000