System Director - Northeast Kansas Library System Lead an innovative and accomplished Kansas library system, continuing outstanding levels of service and effective resource sharing. The Executive Board of the Northeast Kansas Library System <http://www.nekls.org/> (headquartered in Lawrence, KS), seeks an experienced library leader-responsive to member, staff, and community needs and skilled in focusing the efforts of a team of talented professionals-as its next System Director. NEKLS, one of the seven Kansas regional systems, is a multi-type library system and works in partnership with its 118 member libraries providing unique and innovative services. With a $2.8 million annual budget (funded primarily from local property taxes) and 10 FTE system staff, NEKLS serves a 14 county region (more than 40% of Kansas population). Member libraries range from small, rural libraries to very large urban libraries. NEKLS is a member-focused organization with a reputation for being an incubator for statewide projects, for providing excellent continuing education opportunities for member library directors, trustees and staff, and for strong outreach services to its diverse membership, including support for innovative technologies. Key projects include NExpress (an open source ILS), Recollections Kansas (a digitization project), KLOW (KS Libraries on the Web), Kansas Library Express (the statewide courier service), and the accreditation and grant program for member libraries. Ranked as one of the top ten best college towns, Lawrence, Kansas <http://www.lawrenceks.org/> (home of the University of KS Jayhawks) offers much more than championship basketball tradition. Founded in 1854 by the New England Emigrant Aid Society, Lawrence was a stop on both the Oregon and the Santa Fe Trail. Later, Lawrence was the home of Langston Hughes and William S. Burroughs. Considered one of the National Trust for Historic Preservation's "Dozen Most Distinctive Communities," Lawrence is one of those rare exceptions-a historic downtown that remains the heart of a city. Centered on Massachusetts Street ("Mass Street"), the area features boutiques, restaurants, bookstores, and music venues. With a population of 89,000 people, Lawrence and Northeast Kansas offer a charming blend of urban and rural environments. In addition to nationally ranked public schools, Lawrence and the area offer the Lied Center of Kansas, Spencer Museum of Art, Liberty Hall, and Haskell Indian Nations University. Outdoor recreational venues include nationally known golf courses, extensive planned bike paths, Clinton Lake and Prairie Park. Two metro areas- Kansas City and Topeka- are a 30 minute drive away. For additional details on NEKLS and the Northeast Kansas region, see NEKLS Links <http://www.gossagesager.com/neklslinks.htm> . Responsibilities. The System Director, under the direction of the 18-member Executive Board, has overall responsibility for leadership and management of a fourteen county multi-type library system that seeks to pursue leadership and innovation in library service. Duties will include management of planning, budgets, personnel, service functions, and legislative advocacy. The System Director works with the Board, staff, member libraries, other Kansas systems, and the State Library to establish the strategic vision for the System, aligning its mission with member library needs and priorities. The Director will also ensure an active NEKLS presence in the statewide library community and professional activities. For complete details, visit NEKLS System Director Job Description <http://www.gossagesager.com/NEKLSjobdesc.pdf> . Qualifications. Minimum qualifications are an ALA-accredited Master's Degree in Library Science and five years of progressively responsible administrative experience. Essential attributes and skills include: vision, creativity, energy and enthusiasm; superior interpersonal skills; flexibility; political acumen; collaborative and consensus-building skills; experience in recruiting, mentoring, evaluating and retaining an excellent staff; and a desire to continue the tradition of excellence and innovation within the System. Success working with and reporting to a governing board, political advocacy experience, the ability to work with member libraries on legal, governance and policy issues, and prior experience in regional systems or consortia are additional preferred qualifications. Compensation. The hiring salary range is $80,000-100,000 (placement being dependent on experience and qualifications) with an attractive benefits package. For further information, contact <http://www.gossagesager.com/> Bradbury Associates/Gossage Sager Associates via email or phone. Apply via email with a meaningful cover letter and your resume as Word or pdf attachments to <mailto:danbradbury@gossagesager.com> Dan Bradbury or <mailto:jobethbradbury@gossagesager.com> Jobeth Bradbury. This position closes June 8, 2014. BRADBURY ASSOCIATES/GOSSAGE SAGER ASSOCIATES 4545 WORNALL RD., STE. 805, KANSAS CITY, MO 64111 Jobeth Bradbury Bradbury Associates/Gossage Sager Associates <http://www.gossagesager.com/> 4545 Wornall Rd, Ste. 805 Kansas City, MO 64111 816-803-7087 (cell); 816-531-2468 (office)