Library Director

Job Summary

The Library Director leads, directs, and administers the programs and services of the Scott County Library system (including the Scott County Law Library by contract with the Law Library Board). This position develops, plans, and manages the strategic direction of the Scott County Library system in alignment with the county’s vision, mission, goals, and values and in support of county priorities. Performs managerial duties related to personnel, budget, collection development, technology, library operations, and services in conformity of the policies established by the County Board of Commissioners. Takes a visible, collaborative role in representing the library in the community. Position also leads the Library Advisory Board meetings, a group through statute that is charged with providing community input and recommendations to the Scott County Board.

Job Description

Leads the evolution of library services and integration with other County departments to make Scott County libraries the hub of community partnerships.

Provides County Board with the tools, information, and any assistance necessary to steer the direction and development of the library system. 
Develops and recommends to the County Board and County Administration new library policies and changes in existing policies. 

Provides Library Advisory Board and County Administration with a regular oral and written reports of library activities, programs, staff information, library concerns, and circulation statistics. 

Prepares the budget following the county’s Strategic Plan and county guidelines. The budget includes all elements of capital improvement plan, staffing plan, and operating plan.  

Provides oversight of the expenditure of fund allocations within the constraints of approved budget: Reviews expenditures and income monthly, adjusts line items as needed to reflect gifts, administers contracts, and applies for and administers grants. 

Evaluates the effectiveness of library services and potential new services in relation to needs of the communities; approves required regional, state, and federal reports on library system activity and effectiveness.

Understands and applies the principles and practices of public library functions; is responsible for the overall administration of the strategic plan, operating plan, and capital plan. 

Administers Library Staff: Oversees the evaluation of library staff including discipline; directly supervises the Library Technology Manager, Learning and Outreach Manager, Collection Development Manager, Law Librarian, Branch Managers, and Library Programs Coordinator; interprets policy for staff; coaches, mentors, and advises staff on personnel and patron problems; encourages staff development by providing opportunity for staff to attend professional development training/events; encourages staff awareness of library issues through reading of relevant professional materials. 

Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with public officials: Works with city governments (county and cities have agreements to provide library service); works closely with cities during design and construction of new library buildings, library additions, or remodeling library buildings; assists cities with applications for library construction grants; works with LeSueur County on joint issues as required. 

Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with civic and community groups and the general public: Manages internal and external communication of the library system; identifies and pursues public relations opportunities; expands community outreach; addresses public complaints that cannot be resolved. 

Manages the Law Library by contract in cooperation with the Law Library Board.

Represents the library system to larger library professional community, including active involvement in appropriate local, state, and national associations: Cooperates with regional Library agencies (MELSA and Metronet) and State Library agencies (MnLink, Minitex, State Library, State Law Library); networks with public library directors in MELSA and in the state; participates in cooperative agreements with other library systems and in legislative committees and meetings as necessary. 

Keeps informed of current developments in library field by attending workshops, professional meetings, and reading current literature. 

Performs supervisory duties as defined in MN Statute 179A.03 Subd. 17.

Works the days and hours necessary to perform all assigned responsibilities and tasks. Must be available (especially during regular business hours or shifts) to communicate with other employees, supervisors, customers, vendors, and any other person or organization with whom interaction is required to accomplish work and employer goals.  

Performs other related duties as required or assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
Requires equivalency of a Master's Degree in Library and Information Science and 6 years of progressively responsible administration experience including at least 1 year in a supervisory capacity. Familiarity with multiple software programs and hardware, understanding of statistical analysis, and data driven decision making prowess are highly desirable. Employee must possess a valid driver's license and provide a reliable means of transportation for the performance of work responsibilities.

Supervisory Controls
The incumbent is under broad policy guidance and direction from the Transformation and Enterprise Services Division Director. Discretion is used in the operation of the library system in accordance with accepted standards and practices of the American Library Association. 

The incumbent directs and supervises professional, technical, and administrative support staff to include the assignment of work, review of work performed, evaluation of performance, selection, training, and discipline. Performs supervisory duties as defined in MN Statute 179A.03 Subd. 17.

The incumbent promotes employee professional development and provides coaching and mentoring to staff. The incumbent learns, understands, executes, and promotes organizational cultural initiatives and county wide program objectives.

Core Competencies and Abilities
Customer Service - Delivers government services in a respectful, responsive, and solution-oriented manner.

Communication - Is always clear about what we're doing and why we're doing it.

Collaboration - Works with partners – communities, schools, faith groups, private business, and non-profit agencies – to see that services are not duplicated but rather are complimentary, aligned, and provided by the partners who can deliver the service most effectively.

Stewardship - Works proactively to make investments, guided by resident input, which will transform lives, communities, and government.

Empowerment - Works with individuals and families to affirm strengths, develop skills, restore hope, and promote self-reliance.

Resiliency - Fosters public preparedness and responds when families and communities face health and safety emergencies.

Innovation - Takes informed risks to deliver services more effectively and learns from successes and failures.

Knowledge – Knowledge of the principles, practices, and methods of library information services and administration.

Knowledge of state, federal, and local laws, rules, and regulations as they apply to public libraries.

Knowledge of county policies, procedures, and labor contracts.

Abilities – Ability to analyze needs and prepare long-range and strategic responses to meeting these needs.

Ability to analyze, prepare, and manage comprehensive budgets.

Ability to plan, organize, and direct a complete program of library activities for a multi-facility library system.

Ability to interpret community interests and needs and to provide appropriate library services.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working, advisory, and consulting relationships with community organizations and groups.

Ability to understand the dynamics of working within a political environment.

Ability to prepare and deliver effective oral presentations to small and large groups including elected officials and the general public.

Ability to work in arenas of conflict and bring diverse opinions to a resolution or consensus.

Ability and skill to organize, direct, and coordinate the activities of professional, technical, and administrative support staff.

Ability to analyze and change existing processes to reduce process time and resource requirements while continuing to conform to customer requirements.

Ability to effectively present analysis and recommendations through spoken and written communications.

Ability to build and maintain positive working relationships with others.

Ability to speak, present, and interact in public arenas with composure, professionalism, and discretion.

Ability to use MS Office software for the performance of essential duties.

Ability to use appropriate discretion in dealing with matters of a confidential nature.

Work Environment and Physical Demands
Typical characteristics of the regular, ongoing work environment of this position requires inside work, typically in an office setting. The position is multi-task oriented and includes periods of stress when balancing multiple and varied needs/demands of services.

Physical activities include sedentary to light work: Reaching, sitting, standing, walking, pushing, lifting, pulling, fingering, grasping, feeling, stooping, talking, hearing, seeing, and repetitive motions. Lifts and/or navigates up to 35 pounds on a routine basis in handling files and equipment necessary for performing the essential duties of the job.