Director – Ann Arbor District Library (MI)

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/.

Submit specified application materials to karenmiller@bradburymiller.com.