Director – The
Ann Arbor District Library (AADL) Board of Trustees seeks its next
Director to lead the organization and find imaginative ways to meet the
challenges of a 21st-century library. Having received the Library
Journal 5-Star Award since the award’s inception in 2008, AADL is
committed to providing excellent library service to its vocal and
passionate customers in whatever form that takes. AADL continues to
expand the scope of library services in its vision to develop literate
and informed citizens through open and equal access to cultural,
intellectual, recreational, and information resources. The library is
committed to innovation through offerings like the AADL Tools Collection, Fifth Avenue Press, Secret Lab, Ann Arbor Comic Arts Festival, and the incredibly popular Summer Game with over 10,000 annual participants of all ages.
The 7-member Board is elected at large to represent the almost 165,000
residents of the service district. The next Director will lead AADL’s
approximately 220 staff with an $18 million budget generated from a
stable perpetual local property tax millage which is funded by the City
of Ann Arbor and parts or all of the following townships: Ann Arbor,
Superior, Pittsfield, Lodi, Scio, and Webster. The Director is fully
immersed in the financial and budgetary responsibilities of the role in
collaboration with the library’s contracted financial services firm. Key initiatives
include addressing facility needs at the library’s downtown branch;
maintaining progressive and forward-thinking initiatives; evaluation of
the library’s contracted financial services; supporting staff and
engaging the public through the remainder of the COVID-19 pandemic;
advancing the organization’s diversity, equity, inclusion, and
anti-racism initiatives; and maximizing AADL’s ability to serve the
needs of a growing and changing community.
Annually ranked as a
top 10 U.S. city by Niche.com, Ann Arbor balances excellent public
schools, a diverse population, year-round outdoor activities, and
renowned higher education institutions. Home to the University of
Michigan, one of the country’s top public institutions, Ann Arbor serves
as a hub for creativity and innovation, along with the nearby Eastern
Michigan University in Ypsilanti. AADL has integrated itself into the
community by collaborating with downtown businesses and non-profit
organizations, partnering with the University of Michigan, engaging
local artists and creatives, and inspiring community members to tap into
their own creativity. The library also has longstanding partnerships
with the African American Cultural and Historical Museum of Washtenaw
County, Ann Arbor Public Schools, Ann Arbor Area Transportation
Authority, and Ann Arbor Summerfest. The greater Ann Arbor area is home
to 24 neighborhoods, providing amenities and opportunities to get the
best of small-town living with the convenience of big city moments.
Whatever your passion, you are bound to find enthusiastic collaborators
in Ann Arbor!
Responsibilities include but are not limited to
leadership and oversight of the AADL strategic plan; incorporating
leading-edge and digital services with traditional library services to
meet the evolving needs of the public; budgetary planning and sound
fiscal management; leading efforts to provide customer-focused delivery
of services; encouraging innovation, creative problem-solving, and a
collaborative team dynamic; maintaining effective professional
relationships with local government and legislative bodies, the AADL
Board of Trustees, and other community institutions; developing
organizational plans and procedures; addressing all relevant human
resources issues; negotiating agreements with the library’s bargaining
units; and supervising, mentoring, and guiding six direct reports.
Qualifications – Candidates
will be evaluated on the full range of their professional and personal
background, experience, and direct and transferable skills. Ann
Arbor District Library seeks candidates with a compelling combination
of demonstrated knowledge and skills in most of the following areas:
• Experience working with an elected or governmentally-appointed board, or equivalent.
• Comprehensive knowledge of the principles and practices of library science and administration.
• Experience as a public-facing spokesperson in a variety of high-profile settings.
• Demonstrated ability to administer and manage library services.
• Demonstrated record of sound fiscal management and budgetary planning.
• Ability to lead, mentor, coach, and provide direction to
administrative and management level staff – emphasizing diversity,
team-building, and collaboration.
• Forward-thinking about
current and emerging trends and best practices, and a demonstrated
positive track record of implementing appropriate leading-edge
technologies.
• Communicates openly, clearly, thoroughly, and concisely.
The hiring salary range is $148,050 – $164,500 (with placement negotiable dependent on experience and qualifications) and an excellent fringe benefits package.
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 January 23, 2022.
View the announcement in its entirety along with accompanying links and information at https://bradburymiller.com/job/ann-arbor/.