Library Director – Fort Worth Public Library (TX)

The Fort Worth Public Library (TX) seeks a collaborative and dynamic individual who will bring an empathetic spirit to a thriving library system as its next Library Director. The Fort Worth Public Library Director serves as a municipal department director and reports to one of the city’s Assistant City Managers. The Director works closely with community stakeholders, including the Library Advisory Board and the Fort Worth Public Library Foundation in support of the library’s mission to build a community of learners, dreamers and doers. Fort Worth Public Library (FWPL) has 18 locations, 240 FTE staff and a $26 million budget.

Over the past three years, FWPL has become a vibrant and diverse programming library, offering an anticipated 7,000 programs to an estimated 90,000 attendees in 2023. Programs are tailored to meet the needs of each branch’s unique community, and include a wide variety of lifelong learning opportunities for customers of all ages including early literacy-based programs and workshops; interactive STEM learning experiences; innovative arts programs including fine arts instruction, guitar lessons, and cultural craft programs; book clubs, writing programs, and author visits; and a wide variety of workforce development and small business support programs for job seekers and entrepreneurs. Additionally, FWPL offers the only free Spanish-language high school equivalency program in Tarrant County, an innovative lending library of musical instruments, and a thriving music collaborative called Amplify 817 that supports Fort Worth’s local music scene.

Fort Worth, a city of almost a million people, is continuing to grow in population and land size.  The next Director will be instrumental in bringing library services to new areas of Fort Worth through the city’s bond program and by developing creative partnerships. 

In the first three years, priorities will include:

• Advocating for library services among key stakeholders and fundraising groups
• Sharing FWPL’s successes with colleagues in city government, community organizations and the media
• Overseeing construction and development of two new libraries
• Building community support for FWPL’s new programming model
• Developing partnerships with the sixteen independent school districts that operate within Fort Worth’s boundaries
• Working in collaboration with other city department directors to maximize city resources available through libraries

Fort Worth, Texas, combines its rich western heritage with a modern and dynamic urban lifestyle. As the 13th largest city in the US, Fort Worth offers unique and captivating experiences for its more than 956,000 residents. The city also has a thriving arts scene, with world-class museums like the Kimbell Art Museum and the Modern Art Museum. The area’s diverse range of restaurants create delicious Tex-Mex, barbecue, and international cuisines. For nature lovers, Fort Worth offers picturesque parks, lakes, and trails, providing ample opportunities for outdoor activities and relaxation. As a part of Greater Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, residents have access to the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport and educational opportunities at 14 different universities and colleges. With its warm climate, friendly residents, and a strong sense of community, Fort Worth stands tall as a city that effortlessly blends tradition and progress, making it a great place to call home.

Responsibilities: The Library Director will be responsible for planning, administering, and evaluating processes, procedures, systems and service offerings; ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local laws, regulations, codes, and/or standards; making hiring, termination, and disciplinary decisions or recommendations; leading the development and administration of the department budget; representing the City’s libraries to other departments, elected officials, and outside agencies; preparing and making oral presentations before groups; responding to and resolving difficult and sensitive citizen inquiries and complaints; and providing executive level staff assistance to an Assistant City Manager. Other duties are listed in the position job description which is linked below.

Qualifications: A bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, Library Sciences, or a related field, and eight (8) years of increasingly responsible public library management and administrative experience, including four (4) years of supervisory experience is required. A master’s degree in Library and Information Science is preferred. The ideal candidate will have experience operating in a city- or county-managed work environment, possess fiscal acumen with an eye towards opportunities for savings, and understand the nuances of a large metropolitan library system.

Compensation: The hiring salary range is $160,000 – $190,000 (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 Briana Trudell (brianatrudell@bradburymiller.com). This position closes on Sunday, September 24, 2023.

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

Submit specified application materials to brianatrudell@bradburymiller.com.