Library Director

Waco, TX
Full Time
Department of Library Services
Senior Manager/Supervisor
The City of Waco has retained Mackenzie Eason & Associates to help recruit a Library Director to lead the Department of Library Services.

At the City of Waco, we are committed to a lifetime of learning and growth as part of our goal to provide the highest quality service to our residents and visitors. As you can see from the tenure of many of our leaders, Waco is a place where management professionals come to build a career with continued opportunities for professional growth. Our vision is to make Waco a home where everyone belongs and thrives while moving forward together. Each member of this organization has a vital role in helping us work.

City Manager- Bradley Ford
 
City of Waco Organizational Values
  • Promote EQUITY & INCLUSION in all that we do
  • Provide EXCELLENT & INNOVATIVE services
  • Serve with INTEGRITY
  • Invest in PEOPLE
  • Focus on TEAMWORK

Our Vision
To create a workplace where everyone belongs and thrives while moving forward together.

Our Mission
To provide exemplary municipal services in a collaborative and transparent manner while honoring the public's trust.

Our Strategic Goals
  • Facilitate Economic Development
  • Create a Culture of Equity and Inclusion
  • Provide a Safe and Resilient City
  • Improve Infrastructure
  • Build a High Performing City Government
  • Enhance Quality of Life
  • Support Sustainability

The Opportunity
The Waco-McLennan County Public Library (TX) seeks a collaborative and dynamic individual who will bring an energetic spirit and leadership to a thriving library system as its next Library Director. The Waco-McLennan Public Library System is a fully accredited and qualified member of the Texas Library System for the State of Texas and has held accreditation for over 33 years. The Library Director serves as a municipal department director with the City of Waco and reports to one of the city’s Assistant City Managers. The Director works closely with community stakeholders, including the Library Commission and Friends of the Library, to support the library’s mission “to improve the community by connecting the public to resources for information, education, and recreation.“

The Waco-McLennan Public Library (WPL) has 4 locations while also providing materials to residents outside Waco to surrounding libraries, including the Hewitt Library, McGinley Memorial Library, Nancy Nail Memorial Library, Moody Community Library, and West Public Library. The Library System currently has 47.65 FTE staff and a $5.5 million budget. One of the goals of the 2018-2023 long-range plan was to increase educational and entertainment programming, and it has become a vibrant and diverse programming library, offering 929 programs to an estimated 31,400 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. The Waco-McLennan County Public Library area services an estimated 223,100 people, and the population continues to grow. In 2022, the city increased the library's budget by over one million dollars because the city is committed financially to a growing library that is funded appropriately.
Library At A Glance:
  • One main Library and three branch libraries
    • Central Library
    • East Waco Library
    • South Waco Library
    • West Waco Library
      • Genealogy Center
  • Library visits – 281,547
  • Library cards – 61,104 (as of 3/14/24)
  • Number of new library cards issued in FY2023 – 6,268
  • Number of physical items in collection – 373,140
  • Number of eBook/eAudiobooks available – 259,012
  • Total circulation (physical and digital) = 750,316
    • Physical = 639,096
    • Digital = 111,220

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.

The City of Waco is a values-driven organization responsible for the function and delivery of a broad range of services and infrastructure, and at our core, we are all connected by a service culture. As public servants, our residents must know they can trust us to make fair and honest decisions and effectively serve our community in an inclusive and equitable way. We value and include everyone and understand the benefits of bringing people with a wide variety of backgrounds together. We are intentional about ensuring our programs build trust and foster authentic connections.

The next Director will be instrumental in bringing library services to new areas of Waco and McLennan County by developing creative partnerships. In the first three years, priorities will include:
  • Developing a new Long-range plan for the Library System.
  • Advocating for library services among key stakeholders and fundraising groups.
  • Develop a Mission, Vision, and Goals for the Library System and its employees.
  • Review the organizational structure, develop staff, coach and mentor staff, and lead staff to develop a long-term succession plan.   
  • Connect with all the communities within Waco to further develop outreach, programs, and partnerships for a more inclusive library.
  • Working in collaboration with other city department directors to maximize city resources available through libraries.
Job Duties
Under limited supervision, directs Waco-McLennan County Public Library Department through effective planning, staff management and resource allocation; assures all Waco Public Library facilities are attractive, safe and provide a variety of informational, instructional, recreational and research services to meet the needs of the community; assures operations are in compliance with state and federal regulations and City policies.

Essential Functions
  • Plans, directs, reviews, and evaluates the staff and functions of the Waco-McLennan County Public Library (WPL) Department through effective planning, staff management and resource allocation; directs informational, instructional, recreational and research programs and projects; assures activities are in compliance with all laws, policies and regulations.
  • Serves as the principal advisor on WPL programs and technical issues; provides leadership, direction and guidance in operational strategies and priorities; reviews and approves contracts, agreements, plans and reports; manages the collection, analysis and reporting of operational data; assures that quality standards are met, and appropriate services are provided.
  • Evaluates City needs and determines WPL operational plans, strategic plans, priorities, and resource requirements; reviews technical documents for accuracy and compliance with standards and practices; reviews status reports and recommends appropriate actions.
  • Interprets concerns, defines desired results, develops solutions, and determines scope and priorities of programs and special projects.
  • Promotes WPL programs and services to local community agencies, advocates, and resident groups.
  • Assures effective communication of WPL issues with City management and residents; interprets and explains federal and state rules and regulations and City codes and ordinances; coordinates strategies to integrate projects and services with federal, state, and regional organizations and City departments.
  • Analyzes WPL financial and resource information; develops and manages budgets.
  • Directs the activities of the WPL management staff; plans, prioritizes, and assigns tasks and projects; instructs and trains staff, monitors work, develops staff skills and evaluates performance; analyzes workload trends and implements staffing and assignment adjustments.
  • Supports the relationship between the City of Waco and the general public by demonstrating courteous and cooperative behavior when interacting with residents, visitors and City staff; maintains confidentiality of work-related issues and City information.
  • May be required to respond after hours, including holidays and weekends, in the event of a departmental or City-wide emergency.
Required for All Job
  • Performs other related duties as assigned.
  • Complies with all policies and standards.
  • Supports the relationship between the City of Waco and the general public by demonstrating courteous and cooperative behavior when interacting with residents, visitors, and City staff; maintains confidentiality of work-related issues and City information.
  • Lives the City of Waco Values: equity & inclusion, excellence & innovation, integrity, people, and teamwork.
The Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate will have experience operating in a city- or county-managed or public sector work environment, possess fiscal acumen with an eye toward opportunities for savings, and understand the nuances of a growing library system.

The ideal candidate will possess an exemplary track record of leading with impartiality and dedication to the principles of public service, ensuring the library remains a neutral space conducive to learning, discovery, and community engagement. Exceptional fiscal management skills are paramount, as the candidate will oversee the library's budget with integrity, efficiency, and foresight. We value leadership that inspires growth and excellence within our team, fostering a culture of professional development and innovation. The successful applicant will be adept at crafting and implementing visionary strategies that align with the City Manager’s Vision, the library's mission, and setting clear, achievable goals for the department and its valued staff. This role demands a leader who is committed to navigating the complexities of a dynamic environment of a growing mid-sized city with rural surrounding counties, that champions the library as a cornerstone of community enrichment and inclusivity.

We realize your time is valuable, so please do not apply if you do not have at least the following required minimum qualifications:Click Here to Learn More about this exciting opportunity.
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