Library Director-The Grand Rapids Public Library (MI)-Closes this Sunday, January 14! Lead the Grand Rapids Public Library is its efforts to connect people to the transforming power of knowledge. The Grand Rapids Public Library<http://www.grpl.org/> seeks a successful, responsible Library Director to provide innovation and inspiration for the library and the City of Grand Rapids. Working with a seven-member Board of Library Commissioners, the successful candidate will have a strong background in developing collaborative external partnerships, and continue to move the library forward as a vital civic institution. GRPL is uniquely positioned through its inherent neutrality and belief in equitable access and envisions a community that is resilient and thriving. Impact priorities include preparing young learners to be successful in school; growing cultural communities to access and use the library; maximizing partnerships; and developing collections of information and thinking for different groups using the library's successful Local History model. The Grand Rapids Public Library serves 196,000 residents with eight locations and a $11.1 million annual budget. This fall, GRPL successfully passed a 20-year millage with the support of 71% of voters. The supplemental millage will be used to enhance early literacy initiatives, digital and streaming services, and asset management. The Grand Rapids Public Library Foundation provides significant support for library programming including Music in the Stacks; One Book, One City for Kids (part of the DigiBridge partnerships with the public schools, which won a ULC Innovation Award); Día de los Muertos; and Taste of Soul Sunday, a celebration of African American heritage and culture. In 2016, 1.5 million people used the library and circulated 1.6 million items. Grand Rapids<http://grcity.us/Pages/default.aspx> is the second largest city in Michigan and ranked as the #19 Best Place to Live in the U.S. It shares big-city excitement without big-city hassle and Midwest friendliness with small-town warmth. Grand Rapids, with its low cost of living, is a great place to live, work, and play, with its emphasis on the arts, sustainability, and neighborhood living. It is a city of active, vibrant neighborhoods. The Heritage Hill neighborhood is one of the largest urban historic districts in the country and includes more than sixty architectural styles, including Frank Lloyd Wright's Meyer May House. Grand Rapids is a desirable, affordable location for families, offering a variety of housing options from a downtown condo to suburban living. In 2012, the Grand Rapids Public School system embarked on transforming education and is seeing significant success resulting in increased enrollment and graduation rates. Long known as "Furniture City," Grand Rapids is now home to world-class health care, technology, and automotive industries. The City also has a significant focus on the arts, from vibrant performing arts, world-class museums, botanical gardens, and zoo to ArtPrize,<http://www.artprize.org/> the world's largest public art competition. Grand Rapids is also known as "Beer City USA." For more details about Grand Rapids, the Library, and the many attractions of both, see Grand Rapids Links.<http://www.bradburymiller.com/grandrapidslinks.htm> Responsibilities. The Library Director is responsible for the efficient overall administration and operation of the library system which includes, but is not limited to, strategic planning; human resources and labor relations issues; public and support services; budget and finance; maintaining effective relationships with local government and legislative bodies, the Board of Library Commissioners, staff, state and national library associations, and the community at large; and compliance with all pertinent federal, state and local laws, regulations and ordinances as well as library policies and procedures. Qualifications. The ideal candidate will have a Master's Degree in Library Science from an ALA-accredited program and ten years of executive experience in institutional library leadership, four of which must include experience in a library or similar setting; or any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the work required. This includes: millage and/or election experience; knowledge of current trends and best practices in executive leadership, public administration, finance, fundraising, and development; ability to develop and sustain significant collaborative partnerships with community stakeholders and local elected officials; and proven success in project management. Prior experience in a public library, library directorship, experience reporting to a governing board, and prior work in a union environment are preferred qualifications. To review the full position description, visit Director Position Description.<http://www.bradburymiller.com/grandrapidsjobdesc.pdf> Compensation. The position offers a hiring salary range of $117,000 - $136,469 (with placement dependent upon experience and qualifications) and an attractive benefits package. For more information, contact Bradbury Miller Associates<http://www.bradburymiller.com/contactus.html>. To start the application process, send a meaningful cover letter and resume as Word or pdf attachments to Dan Bradbury<mailto:danbradbury@bradburymiller.com> before the closing date of January 14, 2018. Jobeth Bradbury Bradbury Miller Associates<http://www.gossagesager.com/> 4545 Wornall Rd, Ste. 805 Kansas City, MO 64111 816-803-7087 (cell); 816-531-2468 (office) Sign up for our newsletter<http://visitor.r20.constantcontact.com/d.jsp?llr=myy6mkoab&p=oi&m=1114893116172&sit=xckjbseib&f=15a6803e-8d83-46e6-8d14-545a610c8414> to get the latest updates!