| Laura Sauser |
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Director of The East Lansing Public Library
Location: East Lansing, MI
Position Type: Full-Time, Salaried
Starting Salary Range: $93,318 - $135,994 (commensurate with experience)
Overview: Are you an experienced library leader who takes pride in providing outstanding library service, possesses a thorough understanding of contemporary library services and their evolving landscape and enjoys being a hands-on leader committed to teamwork?
Under direction of the East Lansing Public Library Board of Trustees, the Director holds the primary role of steering the East Lansing Public Library (ELPL) towards proactively meeting the diverse needs of the East Lansing community. The role encompasses comprehensive oversight of the library, from daily operations and program offerings to initiatives aligned with the strategic plan, management of library staff, technology deployment, and public engagement. This also includes the development of collections and services, infrastructure, and budgetary allocations.
ELPL is an integral part of a vibrant community of 47,000 individuals, home of Michigan State University and adjacent to the state capitol, boasting a broad variety of affordable housing opportunities and an outstanding K-12 public school district.
The director leads a staff of 28 people with four professional librarians who possess a MLIS degree.
ELPL is a city library with a dedicated voter-approved millage (November 2022 10-year renewal passed with 85% support) with one very busy physical location serving patrons of all ages and a mobile unit to serve the community.
Key Responsibilities:
Operational Leadership:
- Manage the library's core operations, ranging from collection development to equity initiatives, HR management, and technological deployments.
- Ensure a quality collection (both digital and physical) that reflects the community’s needs.
- Supervise the upkeep and use of the library's properties and spaces.
- Implement the strategic plan of the library.
- Monitor and enhance the library's technological infrastructure to optimize service delivery including active participation in the statewide sharing program.
Fiscal Management:
- Collaborate closely with the City of East Lansing (CoEL) Finance Director, ensuring seamless communication and coordination.
- Oversee annual budget development in tandem with the CoEL Finance Director, library staff and administrative team.
- Develop, implement and assess cost containment strategies.
- Collaborate with city officials on levies, bond issues, and financial strategies.
- Ensure compliance with COEL purchasing policies and oversee contract obligations.
Team Development and Culture:
- Lead the recruitment, training, and retention processes, promoting a culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, growth and achievement, and utilizing strong evaluation skills.
- Oversee library operations to optimally position staff in roles that both serve the community and foster personal growth.
- Develop a plan including budget allocations to support continuous learning and professional advancement for all team members, tapping into individual strengths to further the library’s mission.
- Demonstrate an understanding of and ability to effectively manage the library’s agreements with the union(s) representing staff.
- Encourage and incorporate staff insights into refining library offerings, aligning them with the East Lansing Public Library's vision.
- Guide staff in adopting and implementing progressive and inclusive library management strategies.
Community Relations:
- Develop and reflect an understanding of the East Lansing community's values, dynamics, and diverse cultures.
- Create strong collaboration and partnership with the community in every interaction regarding issues of diversity and equity, ensuring that ELPL is reflective of and responsive to the needs of the community and patrons.
- Augment community engagement avenues, enhancing library adaptability to local needs and fostering transparent stakeholder communication.
- Explore and foster relationships with various entities to enrich the library's offerings and expand its audience.
- Envision and act upon growth opportunities that bolster community connections at local, regional, and national scales.
Board Relations:
- Participate in Board of Trustees meetings and appropriate Board Committee sessions.
- Collaborate with the Board of Trustees to facilitate the East Lansing Public Library's endeavors, which encompasses guiding the development of board policies and procedures.
- Ensure the execution of board-endorsed strategic initiatives throughout library divisions, with emphasis on operational, and fiscal strategies.
- Contribute actively to annual strategic and succession planning.
- Develop and present the annual budget to the Board of Trustees in collaboration with library's executive, managerial, and financial teams.
- Develop and refine the organizational structure to align with the library's objectives
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Effective Communications:
- Serve as a vital communication bridge between the Board of Trustees and library staff, ensuring harmony in daily functions and special initiatives.
- Guide the library’s internal and external communication ensuring alignment with the library’s mission, values and strategic plan.
- Continuously improve the library's online presence, ensuring its website remains a pivotal tool for information dissemination and community engagement.
- Communicate decisively on library directives, even in challenging situations, prioritizing empathy, conflict resolution, and alignment with the library’s core mission and objectives.
Qualifications:
Education and Experience:
- A master’s degree in library science and/or information science from an educational program accredited by the American Library Association.
- Possession of a State of Michigan Level One Director Certification (or possess the qualifications to achieve such within 6 months).
- A minimum of four (4) years professional library experience.
- Executive or senior management experience in a public library preferred.
- Executive or senior management experience with diverse cultures preferred
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Knowledge of:
- Best practices in library policies, procedures, and library science.
- State, national library trends, and strategic planning.
- Fundraising, public administration, bond/tax levy financing, and electronic resources.
- Supervisory methods, employment selection methods, and training methods.
- Budget development, administration, and state/federal employment laws.
- Union negotiations and supervising in a unionized environment
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Skills and Abilities to:
- Resolve multifaceted problems and conflicts.
- Identify and apply best practices in library services and training.
- Maintain effective working relationships with the Board of Trustees, COEL, City Council, Friends of the East Lansing Public Library, East Lansing Public Schools, staff and community leaders.
- Allocate funds appropriately and communicate effectively.
- Deliver effective and compelling presentations.
- Maintain confidentiality.
Compensation and Benefits: This position is full-time, 40 hours per week, includes a flexible schedule, some remote work, and is exempt from the wage and overtime provisions of the Federal Fair Labor Standards Act.
This position is eligible for a benefits package that includes generous paid time off, 13 paid holidays, health insurance; dental and vision insurance; life insurance; long term care insurance, participation in a hybrid retirement account with MERS with a 10% employer contribution; auto and phone allowance.
How to Apply: Prospective candidates should submit a resume, and a cover letter detailing relevant experience as attachments to the online CoEL application at: https://www.cityofeastlansing.com/Jobs.aspx?UniqueId=97&From=All&CommunityJobs=False&JobID=Director-East-Lansing-Public-Library-611
Only electronic submissions through this portal will be considered. Deadline for application is November 17, 2023, at 5 pm EST.
The desired start date for the position is mid-February 2024.The East Lansing Public Library is an equal opportunity employer. We work to create and support an environment of diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racism for the benefit of our staff, our collections, our programs and services, our patrons, and our community. Members of underrepresented groups and those committed to working in a diverse cultural environment are encouraged to apply.
The East Lansing Public Library complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact Emily Kenney at [email protected] |
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