Library Director – Forsyth County Public Library (GA)

 

The Forsyth County Public Library (GA) Board of Trustees is seeking an experienced, communicative, and pragmatic leader to become the growing organization’s next Library Director. This individual will have keen relationship building, strategic thinking, and change management skills, as Forsyth County Public Library opens a new branch in November to better serve a changing and growing patron population. The next director will be decisive, have expert financial and budgeting skills, and champion staff through transition to take the library to the next level of providing library services.

 

The library currently employs a team of 128 (94.75 FTE) talented, creative, and dedicated library professionals known for providing first-class service to their community. The system has the highest per capita circulation in the state of Georgia, with four (soon to be five) branch locations and one bookmobile. Forsyth County Public Library is the fourth best-funded library in the state and the Library Director reports to a five-person library board.

 

Located at the foothills of the North Georgia Mountains, Forsyth County is currently the seventh-fastest growing county in the country, largely due to more than 8,000 businesses in the community. While business is thriving, the area is saturated with outdoor recreational opportunities as well, with 28 beautiful County parks, 22 playgrounds, and water access to two rivers and Lake Lanier. With access to excellent healthcare, Forsyth County was determined to be the healthiest county in Georgia in 2023 by the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute. The community is very education-focused, driven by an excellent school system. Forsyth community residents and visitors enjoy a diverse selection of restaurants, and convenient proximity to rural or city amenities.

 

Responsibilities: The Library Director manages the library and administers policies on behalf of the Library Board of Trustees; is active in the community serving as the face of the library in local organizations, partnerships and projects; oversees long-range planning for the library system, anticipating future needs and develops strategic plans to maintain a relevant and responsive library system; maintains awareness of current policy and legislative initiatives that may impact library services; monitors pending legislation, advocating on behalf of the library; communicates with state and local legislators to promote the library’s services and needs; oversees the library budgets, ensuring appropriate use of public funds, budget compliance, and proper financial reporting; prepares and submits annual reports to the state library association; provides library usage data and trends to stakeholders and the public so they are aware of FCPL’s crucial role in the community; works with political supporters to receive support and funding; oversees management of all library staff; ensures the library’s collections meet the needs of a diverse public and reflect the community; responds to challenging situations; makes consistent, objective decisions; and develops professional skills, knowledge, and abilities through professional development, affiliations, and literature. For more information, please view the full job description found as a library and community link on our website.

 

Qualifications: An ALA-accredited master's degree in library science and State of Georgia Certificate of Librarianship, Grade 5 or higher (before assuming position) is required. Five years of progressively responsible full-time experience in public libraries, including at least three years of recent management experience in a public library is also required. Strong knowledge of all functional areas of a public library, library management, budget management, policy development and implementation, strategic planning, and problem analysis and resolution and experience in change management with a growing library system is desired.

 

Compensation: The hiring salary range is $120,000 – $165,000 (with negotiable placement depending on experience and qualifications) and an excellent fringe benefits package.

 

For further information, contact Bradbury Miller Associates (https://bradburymiller.com/). Apply with a meaningful cover letter and resume via our application portal (https://bradburymiller.com/current-clients/) by clicking on Forsyth County Public Library and the apply button. This position closes on Sunday, August 11, 2024.

 

View the most up to date version of this announcement in its entirety along with accompanying links on our website.

Apply online here

Submit specified application materials to mandysimon@bradburymiller.com.