Library Director – Johnston Public Library (IA)

The Johnston Public Library (IA) Board of Trustees seeks an effective communicator who will serve as a tireless advocate in promoting discovery, inspiring creativity, and engaging the community as its next Library Director. Working from a single location with 18.09 FTE and a $1.7 million budget, the new director reports to a five-member Board of Trustees who are appointed by the mayor and serve six-year terms. Library highlights include a supportive community, exceptional youth and teen program offerings, and a friendly and engaged staff. The new director will focus their attention on developing the next strategic plan, building a complete understanding of the organizational culture and service district needs, and ensuring that the library is a welcoming and supportive environment for all members of the community. 

The City of Johnston, Iowa is a growing community that provides a high quality of life, small-town charm, and proximity to the state’s capital and largest city, Des Moines. Johnston is a quick 20-minute drive to downtown Des Moines and just 30 minutes from the Des Moines International Airport. The capital city boasts numerous cultural attractions like the Pappajohn Sculpture Garden, the Des Moines Arts Center, and the Science Center of Iowa. In 2015, Money Magazine named Johnston one of the Best Places to Live in America because of its affordable housing, low cost of living, 40-mile trail system, and award-winning schools. Residents enjoy spending time at Terra Park or the newly developed Johnston Town Center, the numerous local events like the annual Kites on the Green, and a strong sense of community pride.  

Responsibilities: The director develops a strategic plan in conjunction with the board, civic and community involvement; makes periodic reports to the board and prepares the annual report; represents and advocates for the library at various community functions; performs various human resource management functions to provide and promote a collaborative and motivated work environment including oversight of recruitment, selection, and retention of employees, training, counseling, performance evaluation, staffing, and personnel policy formulation and enforcement; prepares an annual budget for approval by the Board of Trustees; oversees and manages the day-to-day operations of the facility; serves as the official Secretary for the Johnston Public Library Foundation, including maintaining official documentation for the organization; participates in local, state, and national professional organizations to strengthen skills, interact with fellow professionals, and contribute to the library profession; and provides effective leadership to direct reports and the organization by linking their actions back to the vision and mission of the library. A complete list of duties and responsibilities is listed in the job description below. 

Qualifications: A Master of Library Science degree from an accredited ALA university and six to eight years of public library experience with three years of administrative, supervisory, and facility management experience are required. The ideal candidate will have experience working with a library foundation group, understand the constantly changing environment of public libraries, be an advocate for intellectual freedom, and use empathy as a guide when making decisions. 

Compensation: The hiring salary range is $120,000 – $135,000 (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 Brian C. Hare (brianhare@bradburymiller.com). This position closes on Sunday, February 11, 2024. 

View the most up to date version of this announcement in its entirety along with accompanying links at https://bradburymiller.com/current-clients/.

Submit specified application materials to brianhare@bradburymiller.com.