Willard Library (MI) – Director Search

Willard Library seeks a leader who embraces smart risk-taking and the guest experience as the path to innovation. You will lead a dedicated, agile team that believes community is essential to the library’s success. The library’s goal is to nurture a sense of belonging for guests through programming, collections, services, and outreach.

Responsibilities

Administer library within the framework of the library’s Strategic Plan, board policies, the budget, and applicable laws.
Analyze strengths and weakness of the library, presenting plans for growth and implementing goals.
Initiating new library services and improvements to existing services.
Negotiation of vendor and labor contracts.
Long-range planning and budgeting of library programs.
Working closely with the library board in assessing and providing services to all patrons.

Required Qualifications

A Master of Library Science from an ALA-accredited program required.
Hold or be eligible for a Library of Michigan Level I certificate (Librarian’s Permanent Certificate requires 4 years of full-time employment of paid, professional library work post-MLS degree) required.
At least three years of experience in a public library setting at a management leadership level.

Preferred Qualifications

Previous administrative experience.
Demonstrated experience in sound fiscal planning and management that align with goals, objectives, and operational strategies.
Proven success in community engagement, partnership development, and outcome delivery.
Deep knowledge of library trends on the local, state, and national levels.
Experience working with collective bargaining units, including the ability to obtain commitment to a solution or idea while maintaining integrity and relationships.
Experience working successfully with a library board.
Demonstrated experience with facility development and management.
Experience leading, implementing a strategic plan with demonstrated outcomes.
Commitment to results, demonstrating high performance and a willingness to challenge yourself and others to deliver.

Skills and Abilities

Authentic. You live up to your stated values, yet you have the courage to be imperfect and treat others as people worthy of kindness and respect. You are honest.
Resolute: You speak with conviction about what you believe with the confidence to do so without alienating others. You embrace equity and embody our library’s values in words and deeds. Every day.
Visionary. You seize opportunities and respond creatively and courageously to strategic threats.
Committed: You care deeply about this staff and this community and see working here as a privilege.
Curious: You love to learn, and you foster a culture of curiosity throughout the organization.

Willard Library is a District Library serving over 90,000 residents of the four public school districts in and around Battle Creek. The library is anchored in the city’s downtown with a 55,000 square foot facility, and a 12,000 square foot branch on the south side. The next Director will have a budget of approximately $6 million dollars and 40 staff. Established in 1840, Willard Library is one of the oldest public libraries in Michigan. Voters in 2001 overwhelmingly approved a perpetual millage of 2.0 mils to fund library operations, and guests continue to reiterate high levels of satisfaction with library service. In 2021, Willard Library was the recipient of the State Librarian’s Citation of Excellence award.

Willard Library’s five guiding principles light the way:

Citizenship – Defenders of intellectual freedom, democracy, and equality.
Curiosity – Strive to support every resident’s potential to create and discover.
Empathy – Model compassion for our guests and for each other.
Community – Committed to elevating Battle Creek.
Excellence – Strive for the ideal outcome in everything.

The hiring salary range is $95,000 – $110,000 (with placement negotiable dependent on experience and qualifications) and an excellent fringe benefits package.

For further information, contact Bradbury Miller Associates. Apply via email with a meaningful cover letter and your resume as Word or pdf attachments to Brian C. Hare (brianhare@bradburymiller.com). This position closes on May 8, 2022.

View the announcement in its entirety along with accompanying links and information at https://bradburymiller.com/job/willard/.

Beth Miller Barker

Finance and Communications Director

Bradbury Miller Associates

(cell) 330-340-7115

bethbarker@bradburymiller.com