Calumet City Public Library– Library Director

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Understands and promotes the Library’s mission as embodied in the Library’s current mission statement. Together with the Board of Trustees, Library staff and community members develops and implements the Library’s Strategic Plan and goals
• Interprets goals, objectives and programs of service as laid out in the Library’s Strategic Plan
• Coordinates regular, timely review of goals, objectives and programs of service
• Responsible for the fiscal management of the Library. Ensures that the Library adequately serves the needs of the community within the constraints of the Library’s fiscal appropriations. Directs the development of an annual budget and presents it to the Board of Trustees for approval. As a steward of fiscal responsibility, the Library Director regularly tracks and ensure the expenditures of Library funds.
• Plans, directs and coordinates the daily operations of the library’s facilities. Works with the Board of Trustees/Building and Grounds Committee and Library staff to develop and plan special projects and major expenditures of the library.
• Maintains a superior understanding of the requirements and regulations of participation in library consortia, systems, as well as state and county governmental expectations.
• Directs the human resources of the Library. Responsible for the supervision and regular evaluation of Library Management and Administration Department employees. Directs all Library Management in the supervision and evaluation of staff.
• Acts as a direct liaison and point of contact for the City Council, Mayor and Aldermanic representatives for the City of Calumet City.
• Brings the interests and concerns of the library staff before the Board of Trustees, acting as an advocate for the library’s best interest.
• Investigates and researches library technology and assumes an active role in providing appropriate state-of-the-art equipment for Library patrons and staff.
• Directs major projects relating to the maintenance of the library’s physical plant, including fire sprinkler system, heating, ventilating and air conditioning system, and library grounds. Makes facilities recommendations to the Board.
• Develops and maintains community relationships with local agencies and organizations. Works toward the development of increased intergovernmental cooperation.
• Keeps abreast of state and federal library legislation, and ensures the library’s conformance to laws and regulations.
• Participates in professional and community organizations. Encourages appropriate staff and trustee involvement. Attends professional conferences to maintain professional standing.
  
  

Other Duties and Responsibilities

• Responsible for superior customer service to both patrons and all staff members.
• Ability to work pleasantly and effective with staff, patrons, director supervisor and all others.
• Ability to work accuratelyand adapt in a changing environment with frequent interruptions
• Ability to follow library policies and procedures.
• Presents monthly statistical and narrative reports for the Library Board of Trustees.
• Plans and prepares training opportunities for the Library Board of Trustees on relevant topics within the scope of their duties. Keeps library trustees and staff abreast of current library service trends and emerging library technology.
• Performs and presents adequate research to help reach sound decisions on issue influencing matters of policy, fiscal concern planning and care for Library facilities.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Uses analytical thinking and has strong problem-solving skills.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with Library Board of Trustees, staff and public.
• Ability to develop and realize short and long-range goals and objectives.
• Ability to exercise professional discretion and independent judgement.
• Strong knowledge and vision in the area of library technology, science theory and principles and their application to library legislative issues of state, local and federal levels.
• Strong knowledge of management theories, practice, and procedures.
• Performs other duties as assigned

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience

• A Master’s Degree in Library Science from an ALA-accredited graduate program
• At least five (5) years of progressively responsible public library experience
  
  

Language Skills

• Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos.
• Ability to write business correspondence and basic reports.
• Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations with customers, suppliers and other employees of the library.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively to establish and maintain professional relationships with staff and patrons

Mathematical Skills

• Ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide
• Ability to work with complex human resource centric formulas

Reasoning Ability

• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral diagram, or schedule form.

Computer Skills

• Exceptionally proficient personal computer skills including electronic mail, record keeping, routine database activity, word processing, spreadsheet, graphics, etc.
• Exceptionally proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook

Other Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to prioritize, organize andhandle multiple tasks simultaneously along with strong time management skills.
• Ability to be flexible and change priorities quickly.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Shows professionalism and strong work ethic.
• Ability to work well with others and independently.
• Knowledge and proficiency to use basic office equipment including computer, telephone, and printer/copier machine.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to perform moderate physical activity performing somewhat strenuous daily activities of a primarily production and technical nature including:

• Frequently required to stand and/or walk for long periods of the time, up to eight (8) hours per day.
• Frequently required to use hands to finger, handle, feel items and work with fingers.
• Regularly required to talk, hear and listen.
• Occasionally required to lift/move items up to 25 pounds.
• Regularly required to sit and/or reach with hands and arms.

Working Conditions

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Well-lit; heated and air-conditioned indoor environment with adequate ventilation.
• Moderate noise of an active, collaborative office environment.
• Duties may include brief exposure to current weather conditions

Work Schedule/Hours

• Average 37.5 hours per week, 5 of 7day workweek
• May include evening and weekend hours as deemed necessary

Travel

• Minimal overnight travel (up to 25%) by land and/or air
• Frequent local travel to events and meetings

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Calumet City Public Library, in conformity with applicable laws, is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sexual orientation, age, religion, national origin, or disability.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities of the employee or position.  The Board of Trustees reserve the right to modify any job description in part or whole at any time.  This description supersedes all previous descriptions.