Director of Blount County Public Libray

Description

The Board of Trustees of the Blount County (TN) Public Library seeks its next Director – an accomplished leader ready to enhance the Library’s role in a world that continues to change.  Working with a staff of 22 full time and 13 part-time team members and a 2.7 million annual budget, the Library will continue its focus on excellent customer service to the 139,000 residents of the Blount County community.  The successful candidate will build upon the Library’s historically strong service values and its commitment to exceeding community expectations with a respect for the Library’s history combined with thoughtful innovation.  The Director will work collaboratively with the nine-member Board of Trustees, the Library Staff, the three funding bodies, elected officials and the public to communicate the Library’s mission and goals effectively.  Key initiatives include developing and implementing a strategic plan; developing strong positive relationships with staff fostering trust, integrity, respect and teamwork;  long range building plan including the renovation of the lower library level; building positive partnerships with external stakeholders- The Friends of the Library, the BCPL Foundation, local and regional organizations, and the Blount County community at large; and charting a clear course for welcoming and inclusive library programs and services. 

Our County.  Ideally located in the scenic foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains and surrounded by lakes, rivers, and streams, Blount County, Tennessee is a wonderful place to live.  With a population of 139,000, the county includes two major cities, Maryville and Alcoa and lies only 15 minutes from metropolitan Knoxville and the University of Tennessee.  A tradition of educational excellence and a broad commitment to public schools insures that education is a major priority in Blount County.  

COMPENSATION

The starting salary range is $98,854 - $113,126.

BENEFITS

Full-time benefits include medical, prescription, dental, vision, FSA, HSA, optional USAble, paid holidays, paid sick days, paid vacation, EAP, retirement planning, pension through TCRS, employee clinic, employee discounts, and more. 

 JOB SUMMARY

The Library Director provides leadership and serves as the library's primary public representative, and is expected to provide efficient leadership in all facets of the Blount County Public Library, including developing and implementing library services and programs provided to customers. The Library Director’s leadership efforts should focus on supporting the Library Board of Trustees and local government’s strategic goals, which include improving the quality of life for the citizens of Blount County through information access, education, and recreation. This is a full-time, 40+ hours/week position which may require a variable schedule including evenings and weekends depending on the needs of the library.  The work requires a flexible and organized approach to handle a significant amount of detail over a wide variety of topics.  

 ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

SUPPORT THE LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES' STRATEGIC OVERSIGHT

• Develop strategic objectives of the BCPL, coordinate with long-range plans outlined by the Library Board of Trustees, and provide strategic oversight;
• Attend all meetings of the Library Board of Trustees and readily present reports;
• Provide integrated policy advice to the Library Board of Trustees for library initiatives and in coordination with the Library Administrative Planning Team;
• Develop systems and provide directions to effectively streamline data collection and preparation of reports in support of all library services, outputs, and outcomes as required by the Library Board of Trustees, the Blount County Government, and the Tennessee State Library & Archives; and
• Enhance existing, and develop new, library policies and procedures to ensure effective and efficient provisions of all library services including circulation work processes, employee leave processes, reference processes, customer behavior, collection development, and program processes.

BUDGET, PURCHASING, FINANCIAL TASKS

• Prepare and present the budget in conjunction with and under the oversight of the Board of Trustees, including monthly updates on budgetary and fiscal matters;
• Coordinate with the library funding bodies and County administration on budgetary and purchasing processes as directed by the Board of Trustees;
• Regularly monitor the library budget throughout the year and propose budget amendments as appropriate to the Library Board of Trustees and funding bodies;
• Manage and/or administer grant funds;
• Propose recommendations that impact the budget, development, and facilitation of internal controls; and
• Exercise purchasing authority within the prescribed limits without approval from the Library Board of Trustees or the Board Chair.

PERSONNEL

• Plan and allocate responsibilities for staff members, in all areas, including policy development, collection systems and acquisitions, cataloging and information management, circulation, reference services, community programs, and educational outreach activities;
• Exercise appropriate supervisory authority and leadership for library staff and volunteers in a manner consistent with library policies and oversight which is governed by the Library Board of Trustees;
• Conduct general oversight of staff to properly accomplish library goals with regard to patron services, circulation, collection management, and programming;
• Schedule new employee interviews, adhere to all policies and regulations for hiring and terminating staff under the oversight and guidance of the Library Board of Trustees;
• Evaluate the performance of staff on an annual basis and maintain personnel records in accordance with applicable requirements and policy while ensuring compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, and best practices regarding employment matters; and
• Recruit and train library volunteers, maintain a “healthy” volunteer program, and plan and allocate practices and procedures for volunteer members.

PUBLIC RELATIONS

• Oversee the development of a comprehensive public relations program that promotes and publicizes the library in the community, acts as chief public relations representative for the library;
• Build and strengthen collaborative relationships with elected officials in all three funding bodies, and update all elected officials on a quarterly basis about library operations or as needed as directed by the Library Board of Trustees;
• Promote library services, resources, and events to the community in conjunction with library staff;
• Coordinate and consult with supporting organizations such as the Foundation, Friends of the Library, and Blount County Genealogical and Historical Society; and
• Advise, consult, and confer as a subject specialist with local governments, other libraries in the county, education professionals, government departments, citizens, and community groups.

FACILITIES

• Maintain the library in a neat and attractive manner by overseeing general custodial service, maintenance, and landscaping; including areas of upkeep, maintenance, repair, capital improvements, and functionality; and
• Ensure that the Board of Trustees, funding bodies, and Blount County Government are aware of all capital and facility needs, and such needs are properly incorporated into a capital plan.

PUBLIC SERVICES and PROGRAMMING

• Develop plans and programming, assign job duties, develop educational curriculum, and report parameters as they relate to the overall programming of the office; and
• Plan, oversee, and facilitate the development of all public services provided through the library in support of contemporary community needs including the planning, promotion, coordination, implementation, and evaluation of all programming offered by or through BCPL to support the recreational, educational, and informational access citizen’s need.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

• Research and develop the services of the library and effectively meet present and future community needs including the study of community trends and their relation to the library, participation in workshops and professional meetings, reading professional literature, and membership in professional organizations;
• Participate in professional organizations and ongoing training as required to keep current in the field of Information Science; and
• Perform other assigned duties as determined by the Library Board of Trustees.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES

• Knowledge of:
  • Library organization, resources, systems, and departmental practices;
  • Budget preparation and management principles;
  • Principles of organizational management and communications;
  • Government laws and regulations as they apply to employment law, purchasing and audit rules, and the TN Public Library Laws; and
  • The reporting structure within the Blount County Public Library: library staff report to the Director, and the Director reports to the Board of Trustees who are appointed by the funding bodies.
• Skillfully:
  • Maintain personal organization and self-management;
  • Use small office equipment, including copy machines and/or multi-line telephone systems, computers for data entry, word processing and/or accounting purposes;
  • Organize and express ideas effectively in oral and written communications;
  • Prepare, interpret, and analyze library data including statistics, financial data, and reports; and
  • Use highly technical computer applications, such as CONTENTdm.
• Ability to:
• Propose, monitor, and adhere to budgetary requirements;
• Consistently use excellent social skills, and act with diplomacy, tact, and empathy;
• Develop and implement short and long-term plans, and set goals for a public sector organization;
• Manage complex and highly confidential information;
• Maintain a professional demeanor and an orientation toward customer service;
• Establish policies for using, acquiring, and/or maintaining heavy or complex machinery and supervise employees using or repairing heavy or complex            machinery;
• Create and guide the implementation of capital improvement plans or programs, major construction projects, and new technology systems;
• Work in a dynamic environment that requires adaptation to changing goals, priorities, and needs while supervising, organizing, and communicating              effectively; and
• Maintain constructive and cooperative working relationships with others and view fellow employees as a team member.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Most work is performed in a well-lighted, modern public library setting with centrally controlled heating and air conditioning. 

For Further Information, contact [email protected].  Apply via Blount County Government (TN) at

6119025:Career Search

https://secure6.saashr.com/ta/6119025.careers?CareersSearch=&ein_id=102041664&career_portal_id=3932166&lang=EN with a letter of interest, a resume and three professional references as Word or PDF documents on or before the closing date of January 11, 2025.  

Requirements

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS TO PERFORM WORK

• MLIS Degree from an ALA-accredited institution;
  • Consideration will be given to those currently in an MLIS Degree program and contingent upon graduation.
• Seven years of library experience with at least seven years of supervisory or management experience;
• Experience working with computerized accounting and reporting systems;
• Valid driver's license