Library Director

The Library Director provides leadership and serves as the library's primary public representative, and is expected to provide efficient leadership in all facets of the Blount County Public Library, including developing and implementing library services and programs provided to customers. The Library Director’s leadership efforts should focus on supporting the Library Board of Trustees and local government’s strategic goals, which include improving the quality of life for the citizens of Blount County through information access, education, and recreation. 

SUPPORT THE LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES' STRATEGIC OVERSIGHT 

• Develop strategic objectives of the BCPL, coordinate with long-range plans outlined by the Library Board of Trustees, and provide strategic oversight; 
• Attend all meetings of the Library Board of Trustees and readily present reports;
• Provide integrated policy advice to the Library Board of Trustees for library initiatives and in coordination with the Library Administrative Planning Team; 
• Develop systems and provide directions to effectively streamline data collection and preparation of reports in support of all library services, outputs, and outcomes as required by the Library Board of Trustees, the Blount County Government, the Ocoee River Regional Library, and the Tennessee State Library & Archives; and 
• Enhance existing, and develop new, library policies and procedures to ensure effective and efficient provisions of all library services including circulation work processes, employee leave processes, reference processes, customer behavior, collection development, and program processes. 

BUDGET, PURCHASING, FINANCIAL TASKS 

• Prepare and present the budget in conjunction with and under the oversight of the Board of Trustees, including monthly updates on budgetary and fiscal matters; 
• Coordinate with the library funding bodies and County administration on budgetary and purchasing processes as directed by the Board of Trustees; 
• Regularly monitor the library budget throughout the year and propose budget amendments as appropriate to the Library Board of Trustees and funding bodies;
• Manage and/or administer grant funds; 
• Propose recommendations that impact the budget, development, and facilitation of internal controls; and 
• Exercise purchasing authority within the prescribed limits without approval from the Library Board of Trustees or the Board Chair. 

PERSONNEL 

• Plan and allocate responsibilities for staff members, in all areas, including policy development, collection systems and acquisitions, cataloging and information management, circulation, reference services, community programs, and educational outreach activities; 
• Exercise appropriate supervisory authority and leadership for library staff and volunteers in a manner consistent with library policies and oversight which is governed by the Library Board of Trustees; 
• Conduct general oversight of staff to properly accomplish library goals with regard to patron services, circulation, collection management, and programming; 
• Schedule new employee interviews, adhere to all policies and regulations for hiring and terminating staff under the oversight and guidance of the Library Board of Trustees;
• Evaluate the performance of staff on an annual basis and maintain personnel records in accordance with applicable requirements and policy while ensuring compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, and best practices regarding employment matters; and
• Recruit and train library volunteers, maintain a “healthy” volunteer program, and plan and allocate practices and procedures for volunteer members. 

PUBLIC RELATIONS 

• Oversee the development of a comprehensive public relations program that promotes and publicizes the library in the community, acts as chief public relations representative for the library; 
• Build and strengthen collaborative relationships with elected officials in all three funding bodies, and update all elected officials on a quarterly basis about library operations or as needed as directed by the Library Board of Trustees; 
• Promote library services, resources, and events to the community in conjunction with library staff; 
• Coordinate and consult with supporting organizations such as the Foundation, Friends of the Library, and Blount County Genealogical and Historical Society; and 
• Advise, consult, and confer as a subject specialist with local governments, other libraries in the county, education professionals, government departments, citizens, and community groups. 

FACILITIES 

• Maintain the library in a neat and attractive manner by overseeing general custodial service, maintenance, and landscaping; including areas of upkeep, maintenance, repair, capital improvements, and functionality; and 
• Ensure that the Board of Trustees, funding bodies, and Blount County Government are aware of all capital and facility needs, and such needs are properly incorporated into a capital plan. 

PUBLIC SERVICES and PROGRAMMING 

• Develop plans and programming, assign job duties, develop educational curriculum, and report parameters as they relate to the overall programming of the office; and
• Plan, oversee, and facilitate the development of all public services provided through the library in support of contemporary community needs including the planning, promotion, coordination, implementation, and evaluation of all programming offered by or through BCPL to support the recreational, educational, and informational access citizen’s need.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT 

• Research and develop the services of the library and effectively meet present and future community needs including the study of community trends and their relation to the library, participation in workshops and professional meetings, reading professional literature, and membership in professional organizations;
• Participate in professional organizations and ongoing training as required to keep current in the field of Information Science; and 
• Perform other assigned duties as determined by the Library Board of Trustees. 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS TO PERFORM WORK 

• MLIS Degree from an ALA-accredited institution
  • Consideration will be given to those currently in an MLIS Degree program and contingent upon graduation;
• Seven years of public library experience with at least seven years of supervisory or management experience;
• Experience working with computerized accounting and reporting systems; and
• Valid driver's license. 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES 

Knowledge of: 

• Library organization, resources, systems, and departmental practices;
• Budget preparation and management principles;
• Principles of organizational management and communications;
• Government laws and regulations as they apply to employment law, purchasing and audit rules, and the TN Public Library Laws; and 
• The reporting structure within the Blount County Public Library: library staff report to the Director, and the Director reports to the Board of Trustees who are appointed by the funding bodies. 

Skillfully: 

• Maintain personal organization and self-management;
• Use small office equipment, including copy machines and/or multi-line telephone systems, computers for data entry, word processing and/or accounting purposes;
• Organize and express ideas effectively in oral and written communications;
• Prepare, interpret, and analyze library data including statistics, financial data, and reports; and
• Use highly technical computer applications, such as CONTENTdm. 

Ability to:

• Propose, monitor, and adhere to budgetary requirements;
• Consistently use excellent social skills, and act with diplomacy, tact, and empathy;
• Develop and implement short and long-term plans, and set goals for a public sector organization;
• Manage complex and highly confidential information;
• Maintain a professional demeanor and an orientation toward customer service;
• Establish policies for using, acquiring, and/or maintaining heavy or complex machinery and supervise employees using or repairing heavy or complex machinery;
• Create and guide the implementation of capital improvement plans or programs, major construction projects, and new technology systems;
• Work in a dynamic environment that requires adaptation to changing goals, priorities, and needs while supervising, organizing, and communicating effectively; and
• Maintain constructive and cooperative working relationships with others and view fellow employees as a team member.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS 

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is frequently required to sit, reach and manipulate objects, tools, and/or controls. The position requires mobility. Duties may involve moving materials weighing up to 10 pounds on a regular basis. Manual dexterity and coordination are required over 50% of the work period while operating equipment, such as computer keyboard, mouse, calculator and similar machines. The position requires hearing, mental acuity, speaking, and visual acuity.

WORK ENVIRONMENT 

Most work is performed in a well-lighted, modern public library setting with centrally controlled heating and air conditioning. 

BENEFITS 

Exceptional full-time benefits include medical, prescription, dental, vision, FSA, HSA, optional USAble, paid holidays, paid sick days, paid vacation, EAP, retirement planning, pension with Tennessee Consolidated Retirement Services, employee clinic, employee discounts, and more.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary job functions herein described. Since every duty associated with this position may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out in the job description, but which may be reasonably considered to be incidental in the performing of their duties just as though they were actually written out in this job description.