Director – The
Buffalo & Erie County Public Library (B&ECPL) Board of Trustees
seeks a politically savvy collaborative team leader with executive
experience and a commitment to excellence as its new Director. As the
recipient of the 2021 Penguin Random House Library Award for Innovation,
the B&ECPL is leading the charge in providing thoughtful and
engaging services. The Board comprises 15 members, with ten appointed by
the Erie County Executive and five appointed by the Mayor of Buffalo
and works collaboratively with the Director to inspire and engage an
organization of over 650 staff with a $29.3 million budget serving over
950,000 residents. Guided by a new 5-year plan, the B&ECPL provides
services to all residents of Erie County through its Central Library, 8
branches in the City of Buffalo, 22 contract member libraries operating
28 facilities throughout the County, and the Library on Wheels
Bookmobile. The B&ECPL serves as a center of information, education,
culture, and entertainment for the residents of Erie County and
embraces its mission to “Connect our diverse community with library
resources that enrich, enlighten and entertain.” Key initiatives include
supporting innovative services and resources; ensuring opportunities
for digital inclusion, continued education, and workforce development;
maintaining and strengthening relationships within the community and
among member libraries; increasing the library’s visibility in the
County and New York State; and promoting the library’s rare and special
collections through popular exhibits and displays.
Our Community:
Situated on the beautiful eastern shore of Lake Erie, Buffalo is the
second largest city in New York and serves as the hub of Erie County
with countless cultural, social, and educational opportunities. Buffalo
boasts the country’s oldest urban parks system, encompassing 211 parks
and recreation facilities for outdoor enjoyment throughout the year, and
is a known destination for American architecture history, including the
work of Frank Lloyd Wright, Eero and Eliel Saarinen, H.H. Richardson,
and Frederick Law Olmsted. Buffalo has recently undergone a remarkable
transformation with a redeveloped waterfront, revitalized neighborhoods,
and a growing craft beer scene. Erie County and Buffalo both increased
in population in the 2020 Census. Dubbed “One of the Great Eating
Cities” by food critic Michael Stern, Buffalo is a perfect blend of
traditional bites and contemporary fare with seven different food crawls
including the Buffalo Wing Trail. It’s no surprise Forbes listed the
city as a top ten travel destination for families, with attractions like
the new Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Explore & More Museum, the Buffalo Zoo,
Canalside, and the Buffalo Museum of Science. Home to the Buffalo Bills
and Buffalo Sabres, and renowned cultural institutions such as
Kleinhans Music Hall and the Albright-Knox Art Gallery, Western New York
has something for everyone. The communities of Buffalo and Erie County
are filled with proud, passionate, and diverse residents who make the
region a vibrant place to call home.
Responsibilities:
Responsibilities include but are not limited to recommending policies
and reporting current activities and measurable results to the Library
Board of Trustees; approving operational policies for application within
the Central Library, Buffalo Branches, and all contract member
libraries; determining performance standards for library services;
approving a budget to be recommended to the Library Board, defending the
budget before County Executive and County Legislature; negotiating and
communicating with State, County, and local officials on all Library
matters; establishing collaboration with community organizations and
committees; participating in the work of local, State, and national
library associations; and serving as the spokesperson for the Library to
the media, promoting the public relations program for the library
system.
Qualifications: A master’s degree in library
science from an accredited ALA library school, and ten (10) years of
professional library experience, five (5) years of which must have been
as head of a library system (public, academic, school or other) or a
large public library and three (3) additional years in an administrative
capacity; or a satisfactory equivalent combination of training and
experience.
The hiring salary range is $160,000 – $190,000
(with placement negotiable dependent on experience and qualifications)
and an excellent fringe benefits package, as well as participation in
the New York State Retirement System.
For further information, contact Bradbury Miller Associates. Apply via email with a meaningful cover letter and your resume as Word or pdf attachments to Karen Miller (karenmiller@bradburymiller.com). This position closes on November 21, 2021.
View the announcement in its entirety along with accompanying links and information at bradburymiller.com/job/buffalo/.
