Director of Library Services, Berkeley Public Library, Berkeley CA
Posted June 13, 2014
A spirited library seeking a spirited director! The Berkeley Public Library (http://www.berkeleypubliclibrary.org/) Board of Trustees seeks a creative and thoughtful Director of Library Services to lead a team of talented professionals continuing to position the Library as a prominent player in Berkeley’s continuum of learning and inspiration. Through traditional formats and growing digital collections, the Library serves as a local resource contributing to local creativity, preserving the community’s collective history, nourishing the arts, supporting small businesses and job seekers, and welcoming its citizens and enriching their lives. The City of Berkeley has always put public libraries at the center of city life. A highly skilled and creative staff (113 FTE) at the Central Library and four branches welcomed 1.4 million visitors in 2013 and loaned 1.9 million items. With a dedicated funding source (annual budget-$16 million) and a quality collection of 600,000 items, Berkeley Public Library leads the state in per capita use. A five-member Board of Trustees, appointed by the City Council, governs the Library. The Berkeley Public Library Foundation, established in 1997, recently raised $3 million dollars supporting the Branch Library renovation program. Additional support comes from the vital Friends of the Berkeley Public Library through strong fundraising and advocacy efforts.
The City of Berkeley (http://www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/Home.aspx), “the city with a small population and a big reputation,” is located on the eastern shore of the San Francisco Bay. With more than 120,000 residents, Berkeley is a welcoming and diverse community–proud of their heritage as a center of academic achievement (University of California, Berkeley), scientific exploration, free speech, and the arts. People come for the culture and stay for the food – Berkeley is a cultural and culinary destination where residents and visitors find a dynamic city with an international flavor. Attractions include two arts districts, the Berkeley Marina, state-of-the-art pedestrian and bicycle paths, stunning outdoor recreational opportunities, farmers markets, and unlimited senior activities. Oakland, San Francisco, and the rolling hills of wine country are all within close proximity of Berkeley and offer additional cultural and recreational amenities. For more information on the Library, Berkeley and the Bay Area, visit Berkeley Links (http://www.gossagesager.com/BPLlinks.htm).
Responsibilities. The Director of Library Services serves as administrative head of the Library and reports to a Library Board of Trustees, serves as staff to the Board, and is responsible for implementing policy, developing goals and objectives, supervising staff, administering the library budget and directing day to day operations. Although reporting to the Library Board, the Director serves as part of the City’s management team. Major responsibilities include: developing and recommending service policy to the Board of Library Trustees; planning and directing the implementation of goals, objectives, policies, procedures, and service standards for the Library; evaluating the effectiveness of library services and programs in meeting community needs; maintaining effective relations with other city departments and a variety of community and support organizations, groups, and other individuals; directing the preparation and administration of the library’s budget; recommending applications for public and private funds for library programs; and supervising and evaluating the activities of professional staff. Please visit (http://agency.governmentjobs.com/berkeley/default.cfm?action=viewclassspec&classSpecID=104809&agency=1568&viewOnly=yes) for the complete job description.
Qualifications. A Master’s degree in Library Science or a closely related field (or equivalent) and eight (8) FTE years of management, supervisory or administrative experience including a minimum of four (4) FTE years of administration of library programs and services and four (4) FTE years of supervising professional staff through subordinate supervisors. Progressively responsible related experience may be substituted for the college coursework on a year-for-year basis. Preferred qualifications include: demonstrated knowledge of administrative principles and methods, including goal setting, program and budget development; broad experience in working with new library technologies; meeting service delivery, programmatic, and administrative challenges with innovative solutions; keeps staff and public aware of current issues, events and plans; thinks both creatively and pragmatically and is flexible and attentive to staff and community concerns; has proven ability in labor relations with success in negotiating and communicating with union leadership.
Compensation. The salary range is $137,772-$189,396 (with placement dependent upon experience and qualifications) with an attractive benefits package (http://www.gossagesager.com/berkeleybenefits.pdf).
For further information, contact Bradbury Associates/Gossage Sager Associates (http://www.gossagesager.com) via email or phone. To start the application process, send a meaningful cover letter and your résumé as Word or pdf attachments to Karen Miller, [email protected], or Jobeth Bradbury, [email protected], on or before the closing date of July 27, 2014.