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 https://bradburymiller.com/job/buffalo/.

Submit specified application materials to karenmiller@bradburymiller.com.