Description
Hennepin County Library is a nationally recognized library system committed to customer-centered services, collections, electronic access and resources, and educational programming. Hennepin County Library serves 1.1 million county residents with one central library and 40 regional and community libraries. With a collection of five million representing 40 languages, Hennepin County Library is a leader in technology, literacy, job and career programs, and outreach initiatives to immigrant and refugee populations, youth, seniors and many others.
Hennepin County Library employs 930 staff, has an annual operating budget of $68 million, and an annual circulation of 16 million. The Library Director reports to the County Administrator and interacts with an advisory Library Board and the County Board of Commissioners.
NOTE: The salary range for this position is $115,296 to $144,708. By state statute, the Library Director pay range maximum is currently capped at $144,708. Hennepin County is requesting an exception to this statute to increase the pay range maximum to $160,000. A comprehensive benefits package is provided.
The Hennepin County Library Director shapes the future of Hennepin County Library’s services, buildings and facilities.
The Library Director will lead the Library’s strategic direction by:
- Promoting lifelong learning among Hennepin County citizens.
- Providing leadership in piloting new initiatives in areas such as technology and outreach to immigrant and refugee populations.
- Envisioning how to best offer lifelong learning and reference resources to our citizens in light of rapid technological change.
- Expanding partnerships with other county departments, the business community and educational institutions.
- Fostering an adaptive and diverse organization.
The Ideal Candidate must have a Master’s degree in Library Science from a school accredited by the American Library Association (ALA), and seven or more years of professional experience including at least five years of experience in library management or supervision of professional staff.
The Ideal Candidate Will Also Demonstrate The Following Competencies
- Customer Focus – Dedicated to meeting the expectations and requirements of current, potential and critical customers; acts with customers in mind; establishes and maintains effective relationships with customers; ability to communicate customer focus to the organization.
- Integrity and Trust – Widely trusted; seen as a direct, truthful individual; keeps confidences; admits mistakes; does not misrepresent him/herself for personal gain; establishes and maintains trusting and respectful relationships with staff.
- Create Vision & Purpose – Communicates a compelling and inspired vision or sense of core purpose; can inspire and motivate entire units or organizations; accepts the role of being the face of the public library to stakeholders and the public; ability to integrate library vision with the County’s vision.
- Relationship Management – Builds and motivates a strong leadership team; is an experienced, passionate, energetic and visionary leader with excellent people and communication skills; ability to develop and maintain professional and library organization relationships on the metro, regional, state and national level; forges effective partnerships with labor organizations and values union involvement in decision making where appropriate; ability to develop and maintain relationships with numerous and diverse external stakeholders; ability to establish and maintain advisory board relationships; ability to create and maintain relationships with high level elected officials.
- Organizational Management – Successfully manages large organizations and administers complex and changing programs and services.
- Diversity Management – Builds clear commitment and support for a diverse organization serving varied constituencies.
- Managerial Courage – Provides current, direct, complete and ‘actionable’ positive and corrective feedback to others; not afraid to take negative action when necessary; ability to link actions back to Vision and Mission; ability to make courageous decisions without always requiring consensus.
- Strategic Resource Management – Demonstrates ability to effectively manage a broad spectrum of resources such as human resource management, financial management, technology management and innovation and knowledge management.
Selection Process:
- This position is within the unclassified (at will) service.
- Invitations to interview will be based upon an assessment of education and experience. The Library Board will make recommendations regarding selection to the County Administrator. The final selection will be made by the County Administrator, with confirmation by the County Board of Commissioners.
To view the complete Library Director brochure including information about Hennepin County, please Click Here.
For information about the Hennepin County Library, please visit our website at www.hclib.org.
Why work here?
Hennepin County Embraces The Total Rewards Philosophy. We Want Our Employees To Succeed – Not Only At Work But As They Move Through Life And Its Milestones. We Offer Advantages And Opportunities Others Can't – Including
- Meaningful work
- Public service
- Competitive pay
- Work-life balance
- Generous benefits
- Opportunities to grow
- Commitment to your success
By working in public service, we are a part of something larger than ourselves. Together, we support those in need. We help people access information and services. We empower vibrant and diverse communities. We serve residents.
Employee Benefits Summary
Visit our benefits page to learn more: www.hennepin.us/employees
If you are a current Hennepin County employee please be aware that any change in job classification may affect your current benefits (such as a conversion from Vacation/Sick Leave to Paid Time Off and/or enrollment in a Health Care Saving Plan.) Information about the impact of job changes on benefits can be found here.
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In order to be considered, you must attach a resume to your application. Please include your cover letter in the space provided here.
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Have you graduated with a master’s degree or higher in library science from an ALA-accredited program?
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From which college/university did you receive your ALA-accredited master’s degree? If this does not apply, type 'none' in the space provided.
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Do you have seven or more years of professional library experience including five or more years in library management or the supervision of professional library staff?
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Describe your experience in library management including size of library system, number of libraries, population served, number of staff and total budget. If you do not have this experience, type 'none' in the space provided.
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How did you learn of this position? Please list the specific source.
