Library Consultant, The Ivy Group, Charlottesville, VA
Posted April 24, 2023
Job Description
The Ivy Group seeks a freelance consultant with deep public library leadership experience and vision for the future of library service. The ideal candidate is a seasoned library leader with a schedule that would allow them to join the consulting team for virtual and on-site engagements across the country.
This position is remote; office space with our Charlottesville, Virginia team is available. The consultant will be assigned to projects as needed; total hours will be determined based on the consultant’s availability and Ivy Group’s pipeline. A typical project may run for five to eight months and require between 60 and 80 consultant hours during that period.
The consultant will be paid hourly at a rate of $60-80/hour; compensation is negotiable.
Responsibilities
The Library Consultant will primarily be responsible for engaging stakeholders and community members, co-facilitating workshops, and developing strategic plans.
Responsibilities will include:
- Join the project team for interviews and pitch presentations with prospective clients
- Establish and maintain positive working relationships with clients and team members
- Conduct meaningful community conversations and individual interviews with various populations and prepare executive summaries of findings, e.g., stakeholder interviews, focus groups, town halls
- Co-facilitate virtual and on-site workshops with library Board, staff, and community leaders
- Recommend actionable strategies for public library facilities, collections, programs, services, and outreach
- Collaborate on the development of community needs assessments and strategic plans incorporating audience research and stakeholder priorities
- Maintain knowledge of best practices and trends in public library service and envision next practices in the field
Qualifications and Experience
Required
- Bachelor’s degree
- 7+ years’ experience working in public libraries; 3 years at management level
- Knowledge of strategic planning concepts and techniques
- Extensive knowledge of the administration, organization, and operation of public libraries
- Exceptional oral and written communication skills including demonstrated writing, editing and proofreading skills to ensure communications are creative, clear, and error-free
- Strategic and creative thinking skills, with the ability to use data to inform decisions
- Passion for advancing America’s libraries and helping communities thrive
- Strong knowledge of and proficiency in Microsoft Office
- Ability to travel as necessary (travel requirements vary by engagement; most work can be done from home)
- Available during business hours (eastern time zone); some work may be done asynchronously
- Willing to staff an engagement that requires between 60-80 hours over five to eight months. Consultants may be asked to join multiple engagements.
Preferred
- MLS strongly preferred
- 3+ years of experience as Director of a public library
- Experience conducting quantitative and qualitative community research
- Expertise in space needs assessment, capital campaign planning, and/or library support agencies
- Experience applying diversity, equity, and inclusion frameworks to community engagement and strategic planning
- Spanish language fluency
- Participation on national or state committees related to library service
To Apply
To apply for this position, please send cover letter and resume to [email protected].