Job Description
The City of Lincoln, Nebraska seeks a passionate leader to become the next Director of Lincoln City Libraries. The Libraries serve the City of Lincoln and Lancaster County from eight locations and a bookmobile and operate with a $12 million budget. The seven-member board of trustees is appointed by the Lincoln City Council and is committed to ensuring the Libraries provide literacy, learning, and literature to residents. The ideal candidate will demonstrate a commitment to innovative library services, champion the right to read, understand how to effectively and equitably engage a community, and be an active listener for and skilled developer of staff. The Libraries’ revenues come primarily from the City, with additional funds generated through the County, gaming revenue, and support from the state. They are also supported by the Foundation for Lincoln City Libraries, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that plays a crucial role in ensuring the Libraries remain the crown jewels of the community. Key initiatives include overseeing the new central library project; maintaining and strengthening diplomatic ties with the city and community; moving the library’s equity, diversity, and inclusion efforts forward, and identifying ways to increase the public’s awareness of how the Libraries can improve their lives.
Responsibilities: The Library Director leads a team committed to creating a thriving library; plays a key role in promoting literacy and equal access to knowledge and information to build educational and economic opportunities; promotes lifelong learning and a love of reading; informs, enriches, and empowers every patron served; provides easy access to a wide variety of materials, services, and programs; meets the personal, educational, cultural and professional information needs of the community; and nurtures in-depth relationships with the City, Library, Board, and community to ensure a high level of customer satisfaction, ongoing program development, and continued account growth.
Qualifications: Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university supplemented by completion of an accredited master’s degree in Library or Information Science; six years of experience in professional library work in a supervisory capacity with multiple buildings; or any equivalent combination of training and experience that provides the desirable knowledge, abilities and skills are required.
Benefits & Additional Compensation Info
Compensation: The position offers a hiring salary range of $115,000 – $155,000 (with placement negotiable, dependent upon experience and qualifications) and an excellent fringe benefits package.
The Community
As the state capital of Nebraska and home to the flagship campus of the University of Nebraska, Lincoln is a dynamic community of over 290,000 residents. Our 134 miles of biking, hiking, and walking trails, 133 parks, outstanding public schools, a world-class children’s museum, and an award-winning children’s zoo offer a high quality of life and a great place to raise a family. With no competing municipalities, a single school district, and sole supervision of our utilities, Lincoln provides high-quality opportunities for all residents wherever they live. The city has significantly lower commute times than those of similarly sized cities and boasts vibrant, active neighborhood associations in all areas of the community. Recognized nationally as a smart gigabit city following the development of competitive high-speed internet available to every home and business, Lincoln is at the forefront of technology growth and expansion. Lincoln receives accolades for its affordability, livability, and overall happiness for people of all ages, having been named the top city in the country for young professionals and the best place to retire, as well as one of the best-run cities in the U.S.
A vibrant cultural scene that includes local theatre, symphony, museums, and the arts is anchored by the Lied Center for Performing Arts and Pinnacle Bank Arena. Lincoln boasts a vibrant downtown and popular Historic Haymarket district, the site of numerous sporting and entertainment events. The downtown area offers a wide variety of dining options and nightlife, including The Railyard on Canopy Street. The Haymarket is filled with exceptional restaurants, shopping, and galleries and is well known for its open-air Farmers’ Market every Saturday morning from May through October. All of this combines to make Lincoln a premier Midwestern city.
HR Info
For further information, contact Bradbury Miller Associates (https://bradburymiller.com/). Apply by email with a meaningful cover letter and your resume as Word or PDF attachments to Brian C. Hare (brianhare@bradburymiller.com). This position closes on August 28, 2022.