What are the responsibilities and job description for the Director of Library position at City of La Crosse?
THE OPPORTUNITY
Are you ready to be a driving force behind an incredible organization that fuels discovery, connection, innovation, and community impact? Join the La Crosse Public Library as our Director and lead the way in shaping a cutting-edge library experience for all!
The La Crosse Public Library seeks an energetic library professional with a passion for providing leadership, increasing access to library collections and resources, building visibility, cultivating relationships, and expanding community engagement for the position of Library Director. The ideal candidate will be a strategic thinker with a proven record for project planning, outreach, fundraising, developing and managing a complex budget, as well as directing staff and library operations.
The Library Director will lead an experienced and dedicated team of managers, professional librarians, and paraprofessional staff to drive mission-related projects and priorities supported by LPL’s strategic plan, including special projects currently underway and in the planning stage:
- A remodel funded by a recently awarded $3.1 million Flexible Facilities Grant, providing classrooms, multi-purpose spaces, and updated technology throughout the facility.
- A capital campaign to initiate stage two of our remodeled building, adding much needed space to our youth services and teen spaces.
The La Crosse Public Library is located in La Crosse, WI; with a thriving downtown business area, great restaurants and a strong arts scene. As a part of the beautiful Coulee region of Wisconsin nestled between the bluffs and the Mississippi river, outdoor enthusiasts will love the trails and scenic beauty of the area.
SUMMARY
The Library Director acts as the Chief Executive of the La Crosse Public Library (LPL) and ensures the mission and strategic goals of LPL are realized. Plans, organizes, develops, analyzes, implements, and defends library policies, procedures, plans, and operations.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Serve as a visionary leader and continue to move the library forward to best serve the needs of the community, be innovative and adapt to the changing role of public libraries.
- Report to the Board of Trustees twice monthly and additionally as needed, including intermittent meetings with the Board President to keep the Board apprised of library needs and updates.
- Serve as the liaison between library management and the Board of Trustees.
- Directly manage library leadership and directly/indirectly provide support, guidance, and development opportunities for all staff.
- Advocate for the library and actively participate in community events and organizations, while fostering partnerships.
BENEFITS
We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes:
- Health insurance (medical, vision, prescription)
- Dental insurance
- Generous paid time off
- WRS Retirement
- Flexible spending accounts
- Long-term disability insurance
- Life insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Wellness opportunities
Salary: Starting at $113,859/annually
FLSA Status: Full-time/Exempt
The La Crosse Public Library practices and promotes inclusiveness. We honor the diverse strengths, needs, voices, and backgrounds of all members of our community and are committed to the equitable treatment of all people and the elimination of discrimination in all its forms. We are committed to building a diverse workforce and strongly encourage applications from diverse candidates.
HOW TO APPLY:
Submit the following required materials at: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/lacrossewi
- Cover letter addressing how your personal and professional skills and experiences have prepared you for this position.
- Resume
Application Deadline: May 5, 2025.
Employment is contingent on passing a background check.
Summary:
The Library Director acts as the Chief Executive of the La Crosse Public Library (LPL) and ensures the mission and strategic goals of LPL are realized. Plans, organizes, develops, analyzes, implements, and defends library policies, procedures, plans, and operations.
Reporting Relationships and Team Work:
The position reports to the Board of Trustees and the Library Director is reviewed annually by the group in accordance with the bylaws and Wisconsin State Statutes. Supervises Deputy Director, managerial and supervisory staff in Archives, Business Services and Infrastructure teams and support services.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Class specifications are intended to provide a descriptive list illustrative of the range of duties performed by employees in the class. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.
- Serve as a visionary leader and continue to move the library forward to best serve the needs of the community, be innovative and adapt to the changing role of public libraries.
- Report to the Board of Trustees twice monthly and additionally as needed, including intermittent meetings with the Board President to keep the Board apprised of library needs and updates.
- Serve as the liaison between library management and the Board of Trustees.
- Directly manage library leadership and directly/indirectly provide support, guidance, and development opportunities for all staff.
- Advocate for the library and actively participate in community events and organizations, while fostering partnerships.
Library Director
- Develop annual operating and capital budgets in collaboration with the Board of Trustees and library managers presenting annually to the City of La Crosse, working within budget parameters.
- Manage the budget of the library as well as have a strong understanding of the fiscal operations of city budgeting and accounting.
- Develop and increase secondary and tertiary lines of income for the library.
- Maintain and develop relations with city departments and officials.
- Manage the development and implementation of the LPL goals, objectives, priorities, policies and procedures.
- Provide leadership in the external affairs of LPL including fundraising, community relations and outreach to community organizations through ongoing library advocacy.
- Oversee and direct library operations including public services, current collection management, local archives department, technology, administration and facilities management.
- Oversee the writing, distribution and filing of the annual reports including LPL annual report.
- Responsible for compliance with corresponding laws and policies pertaining to public libraries.
- Ensure appropriate policies and work practices are in place and well understood by the organization.
- Foster collegial relationships with other library directors and professionals.
- Participate regularly in continuing education activities to maintain all certifications needed for the position of Public Library Director in Wisconsin.
Core Skills and Qualities: Employees are expected to demonstrate the following qualities at all times:
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Employees are expected to perform or possess the following: 1. Oversight and coordination of public library operations, programs and services. | ||
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- Principles and practices of library science and information services.
- Experience facilitating high-quality, customer-focused and innovative public library service.
- Library technology, resources, databases and software.
- Preparing and administering budgets; fiscal stewardship.
- Principles, practices and methods of supervising others.
- Efficiency in decision-making and prioritization with operational and procedural concerns.
- Sound judgement and the ability to identify complex problems, evaluate solutions and implement change to the benefit of the organization.
- Maintain all certifications needed for the position of Library Director, Grade 1 Certification from Wisconsin DPI.
- Facilitation of task forces, committees and council meetings.
Technology Requirements:
Required:
- Use of standard office equipment, including but not limited to Personal Computer and related software packages to perform analysis, information retrieval and tracking.
- Library technology, resources, databases and software.
- Intermediate keyboard and data entry skills.
- PC navigation skills in a Windows-based environment; ability to connect and print
- Ability to navigate, search and use web functions and software applications (i.e., time and attendance systems, performance reviews).
- Intermediate (or Basic) Microsoft Office Suite skills (e.g., Outlook, Word, Excel) to satisfactorily complete job responsibilities.
Desired:
- Basic (or Intermediate) SharePoint skills.
Education and Experience:
Master of Library & Information Science from an ALA-accredited institution and proven work
experience is required.
Five or more years of progressively responsible public library experience with at least three years of supervisory experience; knowledge of management techniques and the ability to direct the work of others.
Licenses, Certifications, and Special Requirements:
Physical and Environmental Conditions:
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- Occasional travel is required to attend meetings
Work Schedule
Full-time, frequently including evenings and additional hours related to meetings, programs, and
special projects. May include rotating evening and weekend hours.
The above job description is not intended as, nor should it be construed as, exhaustive of all responsibilities, skills, efforts, or
working conditions with this job.
This and all LPL positions are subject to transfer, based on library need.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of
this job. La Crosse Public Library is also an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Salary : $113,859
