Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Library Director


Waukesha Public Library, the Wisconsin 2011 Library of the Year, seeks a Library Director who will embrace and champion WPL’s service philosophy - “As Library staff, we provide courteous, responsive, quality service to our citizens. We believe in putting the customer first and that how we treat people is more important than anything else.”

Join the City of Waukesha, the Library Board, and the staff of this thriving municipal library as the Waukesha Public Library continues to play its pivotal role as library, community partner and arts center. Serving 93,237 people, WPL is a single 71,566 sq. ft. facility—stunningly renovated and centrally located in an inviting park setting.  With a team of 43 FTEs, a vital Friends group and a $3.6 million dollar budget, the Library circulates 1.35 million items annually to 59,000+ registered card holders. Challenges for the new Director include strategic planning, staffing challenges due to impending retirements, implementing a new ILS system, and developing alternative funding streams for library services and programs. Nestled in the southeast corner of Wisconsin, the City of Waukesha and the region offer cultural and recreational amenities in scenic Lake Country—providing ample opportunity for a delightful blend of outdoor sports and art activities. Waukesha is also centrally located with convenient access to three major urban areas—20  miles from Milwaukee, 60 miles from Madison and 90 miles from Chicago. For more information on the Library and the community, see Waukesha Links.

Responsibilities. The Library Director plans, organizes, directs, and controls all functions, operations, and activities of the Library, either directly or through senior management staff.  The Director reports to an 11-member Library Board of Trustees and serves as a City Department Head for the City of Waukesha. The Director, under general direction of and within the policies set by the Library Board, is responsible for developing and presenting an operating plan, budget, and policies necessary to provide optimal library service to community residents.  The Director is responsible for administering the programs of Library Service approved by the Library Board to accomplish the short and long-term goals established in its mission statement and strategic plan. For the detailed job description, see Library Director.

Minimum qualifications: a Master’s degree in Library Science from an ALA accredited graduate library school; eligibility for a Grade 1 Wisconsin Library Certificate; a minimum of five years successful public library and/or library system experience, which includes at least two years of staff supervision and administrative experience; or such alternative or additional qualifications as the Library Board of Trustees may find acceptable as listed in the job description. Essential attributes and skills include: vision, creativity, energy and enthusiasm; demonstrated success in effectively promoting library services to the community through partnerships; political acumen; working within a municipal budget and governance structure, collaborative and consensus-building skills; and a thorough knowledge of current trends and “best practices” for library service.  Proven success working effectively with a policy-making board is desirable.

Compensation. A starting salary range of $81,596 – 94,195 with an attractive benefits package.

For further information, contact Bradbury Associates/Gossage Sager Associates via email or call 816-531-2468.  Email DanBradbury@gossagesager.com  or JobethBradbury@gossagesager.com with a meaningful cover letter and your resume as Word or pdf attachments to start the application process.  The position closes March 16, 2012.

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