Library Director – Davenport Public Library (IA)

The Davenport (IA) Public Library invites you to become a member of its energetic and dedicated team as the next Library Director. Working with almost 102,000 vibrant, diverse community residents, a nine-member governing Board of Trustees, a stellar staff, a strong Friends of the Library, and a supportive City, the new Director will have a track record of success and continue to provide exciting, essential library services and programs to its stakeholders. The selected candidate will model a fierce focus on customer service, an active commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion, and the ability to work as a positive contributor to the quality of life for the City of Davenport. Success will include implementing and enhancing the Library’s three strategic goals; building a collaborative library culture through trust, transparency, and support of staff engagement and development; and continuing the Library’s partnership development with external organizations and agencies. The Library, a member of the RiverShare Consortium, is a municipal library with a $5.6 million annual operating budget, three locations, and the new Outreach Wheeled Library (2020) which delivers library programs and services to residents who have barriers to coming to a library location.  DPL also supports inventors and entrepreneurs by serving as Iowa’s only patent and trademark resource center.

Our community. Located along the banks of the Mississippi River, Davenport is a vibrant and progressive community that has been declared “The Most Livable Small City in America.” Boasting a thriving downtown and business-friendly environment, the City is focused on development and revitalization. In addition to innovation, Davenport is also filled with a rich history—home to twenty districts in the National Register of Historic Places—and a lively arts community ranging from multiple live music venues, including the Quad City Symphony Orchestra, to the renowned Figge Art Museum. Davenport has a lot to offer, including numerous parks, river festivals, a nationally ranked minor league ballpark, and much more. As part of the Quad Cities metropolitan area consisting of almost 240,000 residents, Davenport is a dynamic regional destination.

Responsibilities. Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to, understanding and embracing the Library’s vision, mission, and strategic plan; knowing the Community’s needs and planning Library services focused on those needs; implementing policies as determined by the Board of Trustees; working with staff as a mentor, coach, and leader; understanding multiple budget streams; establishing and maintaining positive, collaborative relationships with the Friends of the Library; working closely with the City as the official Library representative generating community support for Library activities; serving as a vital library advocate regionally and state-wide; and multitasking with a smile.

Qualifications. Minimum qualifications are a Master’s in Library Science from an ALA-accredited program, five (5) years of progressively responsible professional library experience, and four (4) years of administrative and supervisory responsibilities are required. Eight (8) years of professional experience are preferred. Other training or experience can substitute for professional library experience.  Certification with the State Library of Iowa is required upon employment and must be retained throughout employment.  Additional qualifications include a sound knowledge of library principles, methods, and operations; excellent and effective interpersonal skills; the ability to establish collaborative, positive relationships with the staff, the Library Board, library auxiliary organizations, and community leaders; budgeting skills; strong public presentation skills; and the ability to work with a staff team supporting a diverse, inclusive environment welcoming to both internal and external customers. Experience reporting to a governing Board in a municipal library with multiple locations is preferred. Must be a resident of Davenport, Iowa within six (6) months of hire.

Compensation. The hiring salary range is $110,000 – $125,000 (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.  This position closes on October 10, 2021.

View the announcement in its entirety along with accompanying links and information at https://bradburymiller.com/job/davenport/.

Submit specified application materials to karenmiller@bradburymiller.com.