Library Director, Petoskey District Library, Petoskey MI
Posted August 10, 2014
Petoskey, Michigan has been a destination for generations. Make it your destination, too! The Petoskey District Library’s (http://www.petoskeylibrary.org/) new Library Director will be a critical contributor to the Petoskey arts and cultural community. The successful candidate will lead a committed, talented staff and active, vital Friends of the Library bringing innovation and creativity in generating new and effective library programs and services for the 14,568 residents of the City of Petoskey, Bear Creek Township, and Resort Township. Building on a new strategic plan outlining core values, the Director, with a five-member Board of Trustees, a $1.2 million budget, and a stunning, new Library (2004), will work to implement goals including, but not limited to, building relationships with surrounding townships, expanding library hours, and developing the talents of a dedicated team of library staff.
Petoskey, MI, known for the famous “Petoskey stone” and being the home to Ernest Hemingway for many years, overlooks the shores of Lake Michigan’s Little Traverse Bay in the Lower Peninsula. It’s a resort community of unmatched beauty and charm with all of the amenities of a larger city. In addition to the arts and stellar public schools, Petoskey is the county seat and offers outdoor recreation opportunities including bike trails, boating, fishing and the Midwest’s best downhill skiing. Emmet County, organized in 1853, was known for years as L’Arbre Croche (Crooked Tree)–so named by early French fur traders and missionaries for a tall tree overhanging a high bluff used as a landmark for approaching canoes. Also called “Land of a Million Dollar Sunsets,” Petoskey has served as a summertime destination for vacationing city residents for many years. Tourism continues to be a major economic force and Petoskey is now a four-season destination with outstanding shopping and views–and the year-round home for many who enjoy its beauty and charm. Petoskey is also home to McLaren Northern Michigan (health care) and North Central Michigan College. For more information about the Library, the Petoskey community and the surrounding area, visit Petoskey Links(http://www.gossagesager.com/Petoskeylinks.htm).
Responsibilities: The Library Director works at the pleasure of the Library Board of Trustees and is the Library’s chief administrator–responsible for carrying out Board policy, developing strategic plans and directions, and overseeing library operations. Essential functions include: overall management and organizational leadership; financial planning, resource development and accountability; providing effective team development and leadership to the staff; working collaboratively with civic organizations and community agencies; working effectively with elected officials at the local, township and state level; and interacting with the media and the community to project a positive image of the Library. See Library Director (http://www.gossagesager.com/petoskeyjobdesc.pdf) for the complete job description, illustrative work activities and required knowledge, skills, abilities.
Qualifications: Minimum qualifications are a Master’s Degree in Librarianship from an ALA accredited library school; and a minimum of five years of administrative experience (or the equivalent). Essential attributes and skills include: strong interpersonal skills; excellent writing, communication and presentation skills; political acumen; collaborative and team-building skills; and a thorough knowledge of current trends and “best practices” relating to library programs, services and technology. See the Predictive Index Summary (http://www.gossagesager.com/predindex.pdf) completed by the Board for additional desired characteristics. Prior success as a library director reporting to a policy making board is also highly desirable.
Compensation: The position offers a hiring salary range of $68,000 -$80,000 (with placement dependent upon experience and qualifications) and an attractive benefits package.
For further information, contact Bradbury Associates/Gossage Sager Associates (www.gossagesager.com) via email or phone. Apply via email with a meaningful cover letter and your resume as Word or pdf attachments to Jobeth Bradbury, [email protected]. This position closes September 28, 2014.