Director, Lafayette Public Library, Lafayette, LA
Posted January 21, 2016
Direct the public library in the Happiest City in the United States! The Lafayette Public Library Board of Control (LA) seeks an exceptional leader and executive who demonstrates commitment to the public library’s local and global mission. The successful candidate will have the skill and experience to plan and implement new services and programs, fostering community support and a shared vision for the Lafayette Public Library (http://lafayettepubliclibrary.org/). Political acumen, an understanding and proficiency in library technologies, a proven record of successful staff leadership, an in-depth knowledge of library funding streams, and experience in library construction and design are critical skill sets. With a dedicated staff of 140 and a $12 million annual operating budget, the Library serves the 221,000 parish residents from a main library, three regional libraries, and five branches, circulating 1,800,000+ items annually. Opportunities include developing and implementing a new strategic plan and completing the design-build for a new West Regional Library.
Lafayette, located at the intersection of Interstates 49 and 10, serves as an economic center of Louisiana. The region’s joie de vivre and Cajun and Creole cultures are known around the globe, creating a unique environment for work and play. Lafayette is also home to a world-class workforce, an integrated transportation network, a diversified business base, preeminent high-tech infrastructure, and a metropolitan appeal. The city is the center of a multi-cultural and multi-industrial region that’s surrounded by a publicly-owned fiber optic loop. Today, Lafayette has diversified by positioning itself as a medical, transportation, entertainment, education and retail hub, and its economic resilience is a result of strategic growth, an entrepreneurial spirit, and a skilled workforce steeped in southern values. The home of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, a Ph.D. granting institution, as well as a community college and a technical college, Lafayette draws from a metropolitan population of nearly 500,000, and as the retail, medical, and cultural heart of Acadiana, is known as the Hub City. For additional information on the Lafayette Public Library and the Lafayette region, visit Lafayette Links (http://www.gossagesager.com/lafayettelinks.htm).
Responsibilities. The Director reports to an eight member Library Board of Control. With overall responsibilities for fulfilling the mission of the library, the Director formulates, proposes, presents and administers library policies for Board approval. The Director creates all budgets; directs personnel, branches, outreach services; supervises development and maintenance of library collections and facilities; executes the strategic plans of the Board; and is the spokesperson for internal and external communications. The Director attends all Lafayette Consolidated Government Council meetings as the liaison to the Administration. As an ex officio Library Foundation Board member, the Director is expected to actively participate in the civic life of Lafayette and in state, regional and national library associations.
Qualifications. Minimum qualifications are an ALA-accredited Master’s Degree, a minimum of five years of progressively responsible administrative and managerial experience in public libraries with three years of executive level experience, and certification by the Louisiana Board of Library Examiners. (Candidates who do not have this certification must be able to attain it within the first year of employment). Vital attributes include superior oral and written communication skills, thorough knowledge of financial and personnel management, political skills, and the ability to work in a collaborative team environment. Success working closely with a governing board as a Director or Assistant Director in a multi-branch, urban environment is highly desired.
Compensation. The salary range for the position is $100,000 – $110,000 (with placement within the range dependent on experience and qualifications) with an excellent benefits package.
For further information, contact Bradbury Associates/Gossage Sager Associates (http://www.gossagesager.com/) via email or phone. Apply via email with a meaningful cover letter and resume as Word or pdf attachments to Karen Miller, [email protected]. The closing date for this position is February 21, 2016.