| Sarah Leszczynski |
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Are you a visionary leader passionate about equitable access to knowledge, community engagement, and innovative public services? The Milwaukee Public Library (MPL) is looking for a new Associate Library Director of Patron Experience & Strategy. The ideal candidate will be a forward-thinking, people-focused trailblazer who’s excited to shape how public services are delivered across our 13 neighborhood libraries. If you're passionate about public libraries, thrive on collaboration, and have a talent for turning vision into action, we’d love to hear from you.
The Associate Library Director provides high-level community service operations and oversight that supports the extensive public-facing operations of Milwaukee Public Library. Additionally, the Associate Library Director provides ongoing leadership and direction to senior management for impactful decision-making, helping plan for the future while keeping services responsive, welcoming, and community-centered for people throughout the City of Milwaukee. This position is exempt from Civil Service. Appointment and continued employment are at the pleasure of the Milwaukee Public Library Director.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Public Services and Strategic Initiatives:
- Lead the Patron Experience & Strategy Unit which includes the Central Library, Branch Libraries, Programming & Events, Youth, Education, & Outreach Services, and the Wisconsin Talking Book and Braille Library.
- Lead the development of service models to ensure outstanding customer experiences that are responsive to and meet the needs of the community.
- Work with the Communications and Community Engagement Director on enhancing and elevating public service programs.
- Work in partnership with the Library Director in developing the policies, programs, and long-range plans of the Library's Board of Trustees.
- Work closely with the Library Director and the MPL leadership team to ensure organizational funding and budgets support the strategic organizational goals and the public facing service needs.
- Assess and evaluate existing programs and services to determine public facing needs for the future seeking opportunities for streamlining and uses data and surveys to review impacts.
- Analyze existing services in relationship to strategic and funding priorities to expand the library’s capacity to fulfill its mission and initiatives.
- Lead and direct the internal committees and partners that support vital services.
- Establish staffing patterns, goals, and objectives for the public services team.
- Develop policies, procedures, and institutional benchmarks with peer public libraries.
- Evaluate customer services and service delivery to maintain strong and consistent public facing interactions throughout the system.
Community and Strategic Partnerships Development:
- Work closely with the Library Director, the MPL Foundation, and the MPL board to maximize financial and growth opportunities that support the mission via grants and collaborations.
- Provide content and direction for new grants and privately funded projects and work with the Foundation and staff on crafting proposals for funding.
- Work with internal teams in leading program design efforts for proposed projects including outcomes, measures, and evaluation plans.
- Determine need for consultant support, identifies funding, creates scope of service and ensures accountability.
- Assume responsibility under the Library Director (as needed) as an official MPL representative at other City of Milwaukee Committees and meetings.
- Supervise the community public services partnerships in order that the approaches are consistent in all areas of MPL Public Services.
- Act as a liaison for MPL with the Milwaukee County Federated Library System.
- Serve as a contact with the State of Wisconsin through the Department of Public Instruction.
Performance Management and Customer Service Leadership:
- Select, train, and evaluate management and reference personnel involved in Public Service arena.
- Set standards and coach public service managers and supervisors on current trends and best practices in customer service and communication skills.
- Receive, investigate, evaluate and act upon complex complaints and suggestions from residents and organizations pertaining to public services.
- Apply and interpret Library Board and city policies in multifaceted public facing situations.
- Keep current with and contributes to technical, professional, and relevant business literature.
- Maintain liaison with other major urban libraries throughout the nation and serve as liaison with other special libraries and information agencies, community groups and local officials.
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
- Ability to work flexible work hours, some evening and weekend hours, in excess of 40 hours per week on occasion.
- Ability to travel to all 13 Milwaukee Public Library locations on a regular basis.
- File a Statement of Economic Interests in accordance with the Milwaukee Code of Ordinances Chapter 303-Code of Ethics.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
1. Master’s degree in library and information science from an ALA-accredited library information program.
2. Four years of post-MLIS library management experience as an administrator of a major library division, an independent municipal library, a central library in an urban setting, an administrator of a public service operation in a neighborhood library unit, or as coordinator in a major subject area.
3. Valid Driver’s License at the time of appointment and throughout employment.
CURRENT SALARY
The current salary range (Pay Range 1OX) is $119,080-$164,445 annually, and the current resident incentive salary range for City of Milwaukee residents is $122,652-$169,378.
HOW TO APPLY
- Cover letter and resume must be sent via email to [email protected] by 11:59 pm, Friday, August 22, 2025.
- Please indicate “Associate Library Director” in the subject line of the email message.
- The City of Milwaukee reserves the right to invite only the most qualified applicants to participate in the selection process.
More information about this opportunity can be found here. |
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