ILLINOIS LIBRARY ASSOCIATION is hiring: Assistant Director | Bloomington Public

Assistant Director | Bloomington Public Library

Posted on Dec 23, 2024

The Bloomington Public Library is seeking an Assistant Director that values service, encourages innovation, and can work closely with our Library Director to provide strategic leadership to our library.

In May 2024, the Bloomington Public Library (serving a population of 78,680) completed its newly expanded and renovated state-of-the-art library. This awe-inspiring facility offers an Innovation Lab, two Recording Studios, nine Study Rooms (including a 12-person Conference Room), three Community Rooms, a Discovery Zone play area for kids, a permanent Drive-Up Window, and more. The construction project added more than 21,000 square feet to the library’s current footprint and saw the renovation of more than 57,000 square feet of existing space.

The Assistant Director will lead our public services managers and their departments (Adult Services, Children’s Services, and Circulation/Outreach) to create and deliver library services that meet the diverse needs of our community.

This position serves on the library’s 11-person management team and reports to the Library Director.

Critical Elements of Performance:

• Collaborate with the Library Director to oversee library operations, ensuring alignment with the library mission, strategic priorities, and goals
• Hire, train, supervise, evaluate, and develop staff in a union environment
• Build a strong team environment through consistent communication and positive reinforcement
• Coach and counsel department heads in leadership skills, management practices, and conflict resolution
• Guide public service managers as they direct the organizational, planning, and administrative functions of their respective departments
• Coordinate and oversee the development of consistent, library-wide staff training
• Serve as the library’s volunteer coordinator
• Respond to urgent matters outside of regular working hours
• Serve on the management team, collaborating to improve library services
• Analyze and evaluate services to determine if patron needs are being met
• Develop solutions to improve and enhance library services, including the recommendation of policy and procedure changes
• Demonstrate fiscal responsibility, managing applicable budgets and forecasting budget needs
• Participate in professional activities and/or community groups with cooperative interests

Hours: Full time (38 hours per week), to include mornings, afternoons, evenings, and weekends

Requirements:

• Master’s Degree in Library and Information Science from an ALA-accredited institution and at least five years of relevant library experience
• At least three years of supervisory experience

Location:

Bloomington Public Library
205 E. Olive St.
Bloomington, IL 61701
United States

Bloomington Public Library is an Equal Opportunity Employer.