Library Director, El Centro, CA

Library Systems & Services (LS&S) seeks a community-minded leader to serve as Library Director for the El Centro Public Library in El Centro, California.

You are a compassionate and inclusive leader who can develop and implement innovative library services by encouraging creative thinking. As the next Library Director, you will lead a talented team committed to creating a thriving Library, aligning Library initiatives with City of El Centro priorities. You will be the face of the new El Centro Public Library, cultivating strong relationships with community leaders, local officials, an advisory board and Friends of the Library. This full-time position reports to the LS&S VP of Library Operations and coordinates with the City of El Centro designated contact.

Strategic Priorities

• Support the El Centro mission to create a vibrant and resilient community that celebrates cultural diversity
• Create a welcoming community, advance partnerships, invest in economic prosperity and enhance sustainability
• Embrace El Centro’s values of compassion, happiness, diversity and inclusion

The Future is Now

A new Library is under construction with an anticipated grand opening in October! The new facility is 19,000 square feet and will provide space for a variety of programs, a community room for up to 450 people, and diverse collections for all age groups.

A Place to Call Home

The Library serves a population of over 44,000. El Centro is the county seat and the largest city in Imperial County, one of the most agriculturally productive regions in the world. The Calexico-Mexicali metropolitan area, home to a million residents on both sides of the United States-Mexico border, is a short drive away and plays a key role in the local economy. Known as “the heart of the valley,” El Centro takes pride in its small-town identity and strong sense of community.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Evaluates library environments and key operational indicators to support continuous improvement
• Supervises, evaluates and coaches library staff to achieve library goals and objectives
• Engages with the community and community leaders
• Develops and administers annual library budget and capital improvement program
• Keeps current with library trends, issues and technology as well as political, economic and demographics issues that impact library services and programming
• Participates in professional associations, conferences, workshops and meetings and reads professional literature to stay informed on issues related to library management and services
• Plans and executes local, regional and company initiatives to achieve both operational excellence and business results; follows up consistently to ensure accountability to plans
• Utilizes existing tools and best practices to ensure effective library operations
• Utilizes and helps Library staff utilize analytical tools; analyzes financial reports and other library related data (usage, demographics, trends, etc.) to identify and address library system trends and issues
• Oversees the selection, acquisition and processing of library materials to meet public needs within the structure of library selection policies and budgetary limitations
• Attends and participates in City Council meetings, Library & Community Services Board meetings and Department Head meetings
• Informs and advises the Library Board about local, regional, state and national developments in the library field
• Communicates and builds relationships with area libraries and Serra Cooperative Library System
• Identifies, writes, and administers grants to supplement local funding of Library operations and development
• Manages marketing and publicity of Library services to local media and throughout the community
• Assists and guides local volunteer groups, including Friends of the Library, to support Library promotion, fundraising, and enhancement of services
• Establishes a positive, healthy and safe work environment in accordance with all city and safety policies
• Knows, understands and administers the American Library Association’s Library Bill of Rights, Freedom to Read Statement and Freedom to View Statement, recognizing that freedom of access is a fundamental tenet of a public library; support client discretion of materials available at your local library.
• Follows all legal and policy requirements related to patron privacy and custodianship of patron records
• Keeps in constant communication with appropriate LS&S staff and the client regarding library operations
• Performs other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS:

An individual should possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities listed and meet the amount of education, training and/or work experience required.

• ALA-accredited Master of Library Science or Master of Library and Information Science degree or candidates who will receive their degree no later than 2023.
• Ability to speak and write proficiently in Spanish and English
• At least three years of public library experience required
• At least three years of public library leadership/supervisory experience required
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills as well as organization skills
• Experience tracking usage statistics, data collection and analytical reports
• Advanced experience with public library programs and events
• Strong budgeting and financial management experience
• Experience in a role that requires frequent interaction with patrons, fulfilling the requests of patrons and responsibility for addressing patron issues, questions and suggestions
• Proficient technical skills, including a familiarity with Windows, Microsoft, and knowledge of various technologies

Physical Requirements:

• Must be able to move from place to place within the location; lift, push/pull, hold/carry of items weighing up to (25).
• Ability to sit for long periods of time and to maintain focus on projects such as computer screens or detailed paperwork.

LS&S is an equal opportunity affirmative action employer and administers all personnel practices without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, veteran status, genetics or any other category protected under applicable law.