Central Kansas Library System Job Description
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Position Title: Library System Director
JOB SUMMARY: Responsible for leadership and management of a sixteen county multi-type library system that seeks to pursue leadership and innovation in library service. Duties will include management of planning, fiscal, personnel, service functions, and legislative advocacy. This position is based in Great Bend, Kansas. It is not a remote position. There will be a six month probationary period.
REPORTS TO: System Executive Board
EXEMPT STATUS: This position is professional and administrative, and is considered to be exempt from the overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and other applicable state and federal laws. No compensation will be made for hours worked in excess of 40 hours per week.
The following Core Competencies apply to everyone and are essential to all Central Kansas Library System jobs:
Teamwork– Encourages and facilitates cooperation, pride, and trust among the team; fosters commitment and team spirit; works cooperatively with others to achieve overall goals.
Safety – Understands and supports safety standards as required by the job; keeps the workplace clean and safe.
Initiative – Independently acts to resolve problems and provide solutions; seeks out new responsibilities; generates new ideas; practices self-development.
Customer Focus & Public Relations – Builds positive internal and external customer relationships; is committed to customer satisfaction; assumes responsibility for solving customer problems and ensures commitments to customers are met.
Communication – Clearly and effectively expresses ideas and thoughts (verbally and in writing); listens actively.
Accountability – Follows-up on and meets commitments, takes ownership for work, and possesses a strong ability to stay focused on individual, department, and CKLS results.
The following Leadership Competencies apply to supervisors, managers, and executives based on designated responsibilities:
Strategic Leadership – With the System director, determines the strategic direction of the team or department in alignment with overall System goals; effectively communicates strategies internally and externally; creates a culture to support strategies and provides mechanisms to implement them; fosters buy-in and enthusiasm with employees.
Operations Management – Directs and guides operations in alignment with CKLS and department overall goals and objectives; ensures the execution of efficient processes to maximize CKLS resources; utilizes operational knowledge to make sound decisions.
People Management – Clearly defines subordinate roles and responsibilities; motivates employees to perform and delegates work effectively; applies consistent performance standards and handles performance problems decisively and objectively; leads by example.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
Ensure an active CKLS presence in the statewide library community, and participate in professional activities.
Communicate well and effectively, both orally and in writing, to board, staff and member libraries, and represent the System on local, state and national issues relevant to library legislation and concerns.
Ensure System compliance with all state and federal laws and regulations, including Kansas statutes and administrative regulations and applicable library standards.
Maintain a positive and effective relationship with member libraries, and provide consulting and advice to library directors and governing boards, including but not limited to governance practices, statutes governing library operations, strategic planning, and library organizational issues.
Develop an effective staff team to carry out the programs of the System, including but not limited to creation and review of annual goals; recruiting and development of a cohesive staff team; reviewing performance of staff; and developing strategies for the training and development of staff.
Develop annual budget and monthly agenda and reports as required in consultation with the Executive Board, publish and make regular reports concerning the budget and the System's fiscal integrity, correlating service programs to the system budget and long range plan.
Serve as technical advisor to the Executive board, and carry out the policies of the System as adopted by the Executive Board and full System Board. Consult with the Executive Board in developing, implementing and evaluating System service operations and policies.
Coordinate the planning and development of goals and programs of service to accomplish the System’s mission and vision.
Develop and maintain close working relationships with other regional library system directors and the State Librarian, and take a leading role in the development of statewide library services.
Continuously seek opportunities for innovation and change in library service.
QUALIFICATIONS
The Director must reside in the geographical boundaries of the Central Kansas Library System.
Ability to operate a vehicle and hold a valid personal drivers license. Visits to member libraries and travel will be required.
Broad understanding of library trends and issues, and knowledge of emerging trends in library technology.
Ability to work a flexible schedule as required by the needs of the system.
Ability to mediate differences among members and evaluate diverse needs of members using creative and effective solutions.
Ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects, reports, evaluation, on-going activities, and committee activities using effective planning and organizational skills.
Master of Library Science degree from a library science program accredited by the American Library Association, plus at least five years progressively responsible administrative experience. Experience in regional library systems or consortia is desirable.
DECISION MAKING
Full responsibility for decision-making and implementation of all system policies and procedures as established by the Executive Board.
ESSENTIAL PHYSICAL FUNCTIONS
Must be able to life up to 40 pounds
The physical demands to perform this job are the ability to operate computers and office equipment, and to operate a motor vehicle as there will be travel required within the boundaries of the library system, and at times, out of state travel will be required as well. Reasonable accommodations that do not create an undue burden will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform this job.
The Central Kansas Library System requires reference/background and drug screening for all positions.
BENEFITS
Team Building Activities - We learn and grow together as a team
Sick leave earned at the rate of 12 eight-hour workdays per year (1 day for every full month of service).
22 days of paid vacation
10 paid holidays
Comprehensive Health, Dental, Life, Retirement through Kansas Public Employees Retirement System
Salary range: $70,000-85,000, 5% increase after satisfactory completion of 6 month probation period
NOTE: Currently seeking applicants for this position
For additional information go to: www.ckls.org
Completed applications must be received no later than March 20, 2025. Applications without full packet completion will not be considered. Please email packet to: jobs@ckls.org
Questions about the application process should be directed to Lacey Steffan at
Salary range: $70,000-85,000, 5% increase after satisfactory completion of 6 month probation period
Comprehensive Health, Dental, Life, Retirement
10 paid holidays
22 days of paid vacation
Sick leave earned at the rate of 12 eight-hour workdays per year
Retirement through the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System
Team Building Activities - We learn and grow together as a team
Minimum requirements include a Masters Degree in Library Science from an American Library Association accredited program, and at least five years relevant experience, including at least two years experience in an administrative position.
Essential personal qualities are leadership initiative, the ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects, reports, evaluations, ongoing activities, using effective planning and organizational skills. The ability to work in a constructive and cooperative manner with a diverse range of personnel, governing bodies, colleagues and member institutions and government officials is crucial.
The Director, through responsiveness, understanding, and energy will motivate an outstanding team of board, staff and member libraries to position the system at the forefront of library service. Experience with both public libraries and library cooperatives, and working with a board is necessary. The Director will have the demonstrated ability to mediate differences among member libraries and evaluate the diverse needs of member libraries using creative and effective solutions. Willingness and flexibility to work irregular hours and to travel for extended periods of time as required by the needs of the System. Experience with library trends and issues, computer skills including spreadsheets, accounting software, and remote-access technologies is preferred.
This is not a remote or work from home position.
Great Bend is a community of 14,372 providing quality rural living within two hours of several metropolitan areas. Great Bend has well-developed recreation, education, arts and health resources, including a community college, an excellent school system, a community theater, a regional hospital, and parks.
Director Search Brochure https://docs.google.com/document/d/1jfHWNwPYM8fpujbYrEV21svuw9nTMPxnJnck5wxNACI/edit?tab=t.0
Employment application https://docs.google.com/document/d/1usgxidtf2tBmBhkd8uFnXHHRXEB9m9JW/edit?tab=t.0
Supplemental Application Questions https://docs.google.com/document/d/1E8DeGufV_2ZJQQeh66bkPzrtI99sk5MKQzSEYmgkERI/edit?tab=t.0
Applications without full packet completion will not be considered. Please email packet to: jobs@ckls.org
Questions about the application process should be directed to Lacey Steffan at lsteffan@ckls.org