Job Description
Imagine waking up in a small, scenic Colorado town, arriving at work, and spending your day in one of America’s Star libraries. The staff is exceptional, the visitors are friendly, and you’re a valued member of a steadily growing community. If this sounds idyllic, stop imagining and make it happen!
La Veta Regional Library District’s is seeking a new Director looking to become part of our vibrant service area. With a main location on historic Main Street in La Veta and a seasonal branch in Cuchara, the Director is responsible for managing all Library operations and working with the Board of Trustees on long range planning and policy development. The ideal director is technology literate, an agile problem-solver, and able to get along with a community of diverse perspectives. Our selection will have financial management and successful supervisory experience.
The optimal candidate will be an advocate for program development – particularly for youth and teens. They will explore creative uses for the limited space, continue the Library’s legacy of outreach and off-site services, and find new ways to delight our patrons. The Board will also look to the future director to facilitate development of a strategic plan using data obtained from a recent community needs assessment. We are small, but mighty, and searching for someone who is happy to dabble in unfamiliar territory and savvy at learning as they go.
Preferred Education
- Bachelor’s Degree
- Master’s Degree in Library Science
Experience (years)
Three years or more of progressively responsible public library experience, or at least five years in a service institution with comparable demands and responsibilities (i.e., staff supervision, working directly with the public, working with governing boards or bodies, etc.).
Other Required Skills & Experience
- Excellent interpersonal skills, including a demonstrated ability to combine administrative and people skills
- Demonstrated visionary leadership to initiate, create, develop, implement, monitor, and evaluate services, collections, programs and technologies
- Demonstrated love of learning and libraries
- Ability to effectively communicate ideas and information in spoken and written form, including presentation skills
- Ability to work with community groups, governing boards, and elected officials, and make presentations to them
- Knowledge of current trends and developments of public library philosophy, principles, and procedures, which will allow effective recommendations to the Board and sound decision making when faced with a wide range of circumstances
- Ability to direct, monitor and evaluate staff
- Ability to work within a confidential environment
- Ability to produce and maintain accurate files and reports
- Ability to establish priorities and meet deadlines
- Sense of humor
- Ability to organize, plan, and make sound decisions in a timely manner
- Ability to adapt behavior to meet changing needs and persons
- Other duties as needed
Benefits & Additional Compensation Info
- Emphasis on Work-Life Balance with flexible working possible
- Health Insurance Stipend
- 9 Paid Holidays
- Generous Sick and Vacation time that is allocated at the beginning of the year (no complex accrual formula depending on time-served)
- Professional development opportunities
- Supportive team of coworkers with an emphasis on personal growth
- Small mountain town living in one of the last truly “undiscovered” areas of outstanding natural beauty in Colorado
Additional Info & Requirements
Must be able to work a flexible schedule that includes days, evenings, and weekends, as needed.
Compliance/Other
As an Equal Opportunity Employer, the La Veta Regional Library District does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, sex, color, religion, national origin, gender expression, gender identity, disability, marital status or any other status protected by federal, state and/or local law or regulation. It is our intention that all qualified applicants are given equal opportunity and that selection decisions be based on job-related factors.
The Community
La Veta Regional Library District is nestled at the foot of Colorado’s West Spanish Peak in the Sangre de Cristo mountain range. The District, with a population of around 1,500, is defined by the boundaries of the La Veta School District. There is a lively mix of political, religious and social groups from which comes an energetic group of library users. Well over 50% of residents have a college degree. The area has an economy based in agriculture, mixed with a thriving community of artists, relative newcomers, tourists and summer residents. Outdoor recreation opportunities are found nearby through proximity to the Spanish Peaks Wilderness area, local hiking trails, fishing and skiing an easy two hours west.
HR Info
Application Requirements
To apply, submit a cover letter and a professional resume. Include in your cover letter your answer to this question: "How do rural libraries serve their communities in ways that are different from urban libraries?"
HR Contact Information
Apply by sending your materials to ccoleman@clicweb.org. You may address materials to the “Director Search Committee.” Professional references are not required for initial-stage applicants. Employment may require additional application materials and applicable background checks. Application deadline is 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, May 19, 2024.