Job Description
Dream. Discover. Do. The Shreve Memorial Library (http://www.shreve-lib.org/) Board of Control seeks an experienced “dreamer and a doer” to inspire vision while guiding the Library in providing quality services and programs to the Caddo Parish (LA) community. The new Library Director, in collaboration with the Board of Control, staff and stakeholders, will initiate and implement a new strategic direction and future focus for the Shreve Memorial Library. Governed by an eight-member appointed Board of Control and 2 Ex Officio--the Mayor and the Commission President, the Library serves the 255,000 citizens of the Parish with a committed staff (182 FTE), a $17.5 million annual operating budget, and 22 locations. In addition to 20 branches, SML supports a Main Library (on the Register of Historic Places), mobile outreach services, and the soon to be completed administrative/support services building (2015). Library revenues are generated through two dedicated, 10-year renewable property tax levies. This is an outstanding opportunity for an experienced Director to guide a library system with diverse culture, strong public support, and a solid funding base for service and program development.
Responsibilities. The Library Director has responsibility for administration of the Shreve Memorial Library and directs, plans, organizes and coordinates the operation of the entire library system; develops and recommends policies to the Board; plays a leading role in all funding initiatives; recommends budgets to the Board; develops the overall vision, goals and objectives for the Library; and directs services, programs, personnel, application of policy, and facilities. The Director is also responsible for the administration, including serving as president, of the Green/Gold Consortium—a consortium of libraries from 12 parishes in Northwest Louisiana. See a full job description for the position at SML Library Director Position Description (http://www.gossagesager.com/shrevejobdesc.pdf).
The Community
Caddo Parish—the heart of the Ark-La-Tex region—is vibrant, innovative and growth oriented—building a dynamic future on the foundation of its past. The Parish contains eleven municipalities—each with its own local color and style. The largest metropolitan area and Parish seat is the City of Shreveport. Oil and gas have been produced since the early 1900s and continues even today as the area grows its tourism, healthcare and service economy roles. The Caddo Parish School System has approximately 40,000 students and 64 schools. Shreveport also has numerous private, parochial, and charter schools. Caddo Parish is home to LSU in Shreveport, Southern University in Shreveport, Centenary College and the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, as well as many public and private grade schools. Shreveport’s redeveloped entertainment district is continuing to build on a thriving arts-centric community and hosts a number of festivals and celebrations, including six family-friendly Mardi Gras parades. The Parish also has many venues with which to experience history, music, art, and theater. Shreveport/Caddo Parish is the home of college football’s Independence Bowl, the National Rose Center, one of the country’s largest Farmer’s Markets, the Red River Revel (one of the top 10 arts festivals in the country), the Louisiana Film Prize Film Festival, Sci-Port Discovery Center, and more. For additional information about the Library, Shreveport, and Caddo Parish, visit Shreve Links (http://www.gossagesager.com/shrevelinks.htm).
Qualifications include: a graduate degree in Library and/or Information Science studies from an ALA-accredited university; at least seven years of full-time professional library experience which reflects increasing responsibility, including at least four years in administrative capacity of a library; and certification by the Louisiana Board of Library Examiners. (Candidates who do not have this certification must be able to attain it within the first year of employment.) The ideal candidate should have high standards of professional and personal conduct, have excellent communication skills, possess the ability to work effectively with the Library Board of Control and staff, have experience in planning and maintaining library facilities, and provide visionary leadership consistent with current library trends and best practices. The Director is expected to provide a leadership role and be the Library’s official representative within the Library, the community, and the library profession. Previous experience working with/reporting to a governing board and working in an urban library environment are highly desirable.
Compensation. The position offers a hiring salary range of $100,000-$140,000 (dependent upon experience and qualifications) and an attractive benefits package.
HR Info
For further information, contact Bradbury Associates/Gossage Sager Associates (http://www.gossagesager.com/) via email or phone. To start the application process, send a meaningful cover letter and resume as Word or pdf attachments to Dan Bradbury, danbradbury@gossagesager.com, or Jobeth Bradbury, jobethbradbury@gossagesager.com. The position closes May 17, 2015.