We’re hiring a new Director!
The Kiowa County Public Library District is looking for passionate, and energetic applicants to step into the shoes of a full time Library Director! 32 hours per week, $17-19/per hour, benefits include paid holidays, sick leave, & vacation and retirement after one year of employment. Health insurance is negotiable. The ideal candidate will be a multi-tasked, tech savvy, problem solver with excellent interpersonal, communication, and leadership skills and the ability to embrace growth and change. Key responsibilities include Library administration and management, promoting KCPLD’s mission, vision, and values, and building community connections. The ability to adapt behavior to meet changing needs and persons is a must, along with the ability to work within a confidential and professional environment. Apply by submitting a non-form cover letter, or other form of introduction, along with a professional resume to the KCPLD Board of Trustees. In your introduction, please tell us what makes small rural libraries special and why they are important for their communities. A full job description is available below. Please submit all forms to KCPLD at 1305 Goff St., Eads, CO or via email HERE or kcpldboard@gmail.com
SUPPLEMENTAL JOB TITLE DESCRIPTION:
Kiowa County Public Library District is an equal opportunity employer.
Schedule and Salary
This is a full-time position. Scheduled hours will be 32 hours per week. This position will be paid at an hourly rate, to be determined at time of hire. This position is non-exempt from overtime. There will be an annual performance review with possible wage adjustments.
Trial Period
There will be a ninety-day trial work period during which either party (library district or employee) can, without cause, elect to terminate the employment.
Supervision Received
The Library Director is employed by the Board and will serve as the executive and administrative officer under the Board’s review and direction. The Library Director will report to the Board at all regular Library Board meetings.
Supervisory Authority
The Library Director is responsible for supervising, training, monitoring, managing, disciplining, and evaluating all KCPLD staff and team members.
Abilities, Skills, & Knowledge
- Knowledge of library administration, management, & practices preferred
- General knowledge of Colorado Library Law & Special District Law preferred
- Work for and report to a Board of Trustees; have knowledge of their duties & responsibilities
- Manage the KCPLD’s mission, vision, and values
- Demonstrate leadership & organizational ability
- Prepare & track budgets
- Write grants & organize fundraisers
- Complete all Human Resource requirements & manage employees
- Prepare and present accurate and informative statistic reports
- Communicate effectively in small & large settings; both virtually & in-person
- Evaluate & make independent decisions quickly based upon experience, knowledge, & training
- Work independently & with others as a team
- Successfully work in an environment with constant interruptions
- Exercise tact, discretion, and confidentiality with respect to visitor/patron and personnel privacy
- Be approachable and put others at ease; guide, direct, and influence people in a positive way
- Promote intellectual freedom and equal access to information
Position Purpose
The Library Director serves as the executive administrator of the library involving the direction of a broad range of public library functions. Responsible for administering and supervising all operations and day-to-day functions of the KCPLD. Plans, organizes, and administers the functions and activities of the library according to the policies, procedures, and authority delegated by the Board. Assess the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and challenges of the library and develops strategies for dealing with them effectively in accordance with the library’s mission, vision, and values. Maintain an effective and professional working relationship with the library Board and staff, library professionals throughout Colorado, and the general public. Ensure the library is providing excellent, friendly, and helpful service to all library visitors, patrons, and county residents and that the library is a pleasant, welcoming, and clean environment for everyone to enjoy. Represent the library and actively promote its services/programs. Perform related work as assigned, requested, and/or required by the Board.
Position Duties and Responsibilities
The Library Director position involves highly responsible, professional, administrative work that includes planning, organizing, and directing the KCPLD operation and services. The Library Director will perform these library duties and responsibilities, as well as perform all duties and responsibilities listed on the Library Staff Job Description. The Library Director will also be capable of performing the duties of all KCPLD supplemental job descriptions.
Library Director duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:
(Taken from 2024 Colorado Library Standards)
- Serves as the liaison between the Board of Trustees and library staff, including communicating priorities to staff and sharing significant staff concerns that may inform governing decisions.
- Prepares and presents regular reports, budget updates, and recommendations to the library’s Board of Trustees.
- Hires and supervises library staff members who are representive of local community demographics.
- Manages the library on a daily basis by planning, organizing, and directing building and grounds maintenance, technology, collections, services, and programs for all people in the community.
- Upholds (with the help of staff) written policies and procedures for the library, including supervision, operations, fiscal matters, and services. (See policy bank of samples at https://www.cde.state.co.us/cdelib/LibraryDevelopment/PublicLibraries/index.htm)
- Writes and oversees procedures that are aligned with policies and library professional ethics. Regularly reviews and revises policies and procedures, adding new policies when necessary. Ensures staff are trained on all policies and procedures.
- Maintains written emergency procedures, risk management plans, and other guidance for continuity of library operations.
- Attends professional development to gain resources, skills, and strategies to improve the library. Participates annually in at least one regional, state, and/or other workshops and brings back ideas to implement that benefit library services to the community.
- Is a member of local organizations, especially those undertaking community priorities that align with the library’s mission.
- Is a member of one or more library associations to support professional development, such as the Colorado Association of Libraries (CAL), the Association of Small and Rural Libraries (ARSL), the Public Library Association (PLA) of the American Library Association.
“Librarians have always been among the most thoughtful and helpful people.
They are teachers without a classroom.” – Willard Scott
Special Requirements
- Able to have face-to-face interactions with library staff and the public on a daily basis
- Excellent administrative and office skills
- Excellent technology skills
- Able to sit at a desk for long periods of time working on a computer
- Must have, or be able to obtain, a valid driver’s license
- Ability to travel and attend meetings throughout Kiowa County and Colorado
- Ability to spend hours in meetings and may require overnight stays on occasion
- Able to perform work in a variety of settings in and outside of the library and county
- May require some evening and weekend hours on special occasions
NOTE: This job description is not, nor is it intended to be, a complete statement of all functions, duties, and responsibilities to be performed. Employees may perform other duties as established to meet the ongoing needs of the library.
