Executive Director

Vigo County Public Library Executive Director

The Vigo County Public Library Board of Trustees is seeking a visionary, strategic, and community-focused leader to serve as Executive Director of the Vigo County Public Library system in Terre Haute, Indiana.

If you like making a difference in your community, are dedicated to supporting diversity and inclusiveness, and would like to work for a Board who genuinely cares about you and your talent – VCPL may be your next career opportunity!

At VCPL, our employees are at the heart of our success. VCPL offers an engaging and motivating work environment, a creative and supportive team of division directors and managers, an excellent benefits and retirement package, and a rewarding and worthwhile employment experience.

If you have an ALA accredited Master’s degree in Library Science, at least 10 years of library executive/senior leadership experience, and enthusiasm for leading, inspiring, and mentoring a large and diverse staff – we’re looking for you!

General Description

The Executive Director of the Vigo County Public Library is responsible for providing organizational leadership that develops and sustains operational strengths while prioritizing value-based practices that align with the library’s mission and core values. The Executive Director performs and directs strategic analysis, planning, and execution of library operations including fiscal management, long-term strategy development, goal setting, policy development, assessment of community needs and services, and collaboration with local organizations and agencies to promote and facilitate library services. The Executive Director coordinates with the Board of Trustees on key strategies and goals and ensures compliance with all local, state, and federal laws, rules, regulations, and by-laws governing Indiana public libraries and Library Boards of Trustees. The Executive Director provides direct supervision and guidance to an executive leadership team of Division Directors and maintains comprehensive oversight of all personnel-related functions within the library to ensure that the goals and objectives of the Vigo County Public Library are successfully met.

Executive and Administrative Functions:

• Represent and align organizational practices with the VCPL’s core values of Inclusiveness, Community, Collaboration, Innovation, and Accountability.
• Provide strategic leadership for overall operations including promoting practices that foster informed and tactical decision making, goal setting, policy and procedural development, and constructive resolution of complex issues.
• Direct and provide guidance to the executive leadership team of Division Directors to accomplish operational goals and objectives and develop strategies for organizational near and long-term planning.
• Provide leadership for major development projects including strategic and tactical reviews of operations, services, and facilities.
• Perform and ensure that effective communication practices are utilized to provide staff with clear and timely communication about important information such as new/changed policies, budget updates, major library initiatives, etc.
• Stay informed about changes in legislation, State Board of Accounts requirements, and Indiana State Library (ISL) standards that affect the library.
• Ensure organizational knowledge and compliance with all applicable local, state, and federal laws and standards and regulations.
• Ensure internal policies and procedures reflect changes to and/or compliance with legislative, State Board of Accounts, and/or ISL standards affecting libraries and that staff receive timely communication and training regarding any changes to policy or procedure.
• Develop and maintain strong positive relationships with elected and appointed officials, provide information about the varied roles of libraries and advocate persuasively for library service support at the local, state, and national level.
• Consult with library legal counsel regarding policy development, interpretation of statutes, and library related legal issues.

Fiscal Management:

• Develop and oversee the annual budget and library budget process in cooperation with the Board of Trustees and in compliance with local, state, and federal regulations, and/or other budgetary governing authorities.
• Work collaboratively with Division Directors and Department Managers in the budget development process and provide guidance on integrating budget development with strategic planning and ability to meet goals and objectives.
• Work collaboratively with the Division Directors and the Business Manager to finalize the budget and any relevant documents for presentation to the Board of Trustees.
• Monitor budget performance by tracking revenues and expenditures during the fiscal year and evaluating the need for adjustments.
• Work collaboratively with the Board of Trustees, Division Directors, and the Business Manager to develop sound financial plans for current and future library operations including pursuing grant opportunities and funding sources that are in addition to funding from local property taxes.
• Ensure that grant funds are administered in compliance with grantor requirements and VCPL policy.

Board of Trustees:

• Work collaboratively with the VCPL Board of Trustees on strategic planning, fiscal management, policy development, and resolution of complex issues related to the administration of public libraries. Provide information and updates regarding progress and/or issues.
• Work collaboratively with the Board of Trustees to promote the library’s mission and advocate for its needs within the community and relevant state entities.
• Attend all monthly and special Library Board Meetings
  • Work collaboratively with the Board of Trustees and library staff to develop agenda and prepare materials for monthly and special Library Board meetings.
  • Ensure Board members receive meeting materials in advance and in a timely manner.
  • Provide information and facilitate discussion relevant to board agenda items.
• Carry out reasonably related duties and special projects as assigned by the Board of Trustees.

Community and External Agencies Relations:

• Pursue opportunities to educate community members and organizations about the library and its relevance for all socio-economic backgrounds in the community.
• Represent the VCPL in the community by participating in community activities, pursuing opportunities to speak publicly about library services and programs, participating in local service organizations, establishing and maintaining relationships with a variety of community organizations, and looking for collaborative service opportunities within the community.
• Establish mutually beneficial relationships with local, regional, state, and national partners to create opportunities to inform and educate about VCPL’s mission and promote advocacy for public libraries.
• Serve as primary contact for local television, newspaper, radio, and other media outlets or platforms.
• Collaborate with the Public Relations department to ensure marketing materials and initiatives meet library needs and provide the community with timely and accurate information regarding programs, services, etc.
• Establish and maintain collegial and constructive relationships with the Friends of the Vigo County Public Library group.
• Establish relationships and build rapport with legislators, county council members, commissioners, and other local officials and stakeholders.

Personnel:

• Provide direct supervision of Division Directors and the Executive Assistant, and as needed, one or more library departments.
• Work with the Director of Human Resources and other Division Directors to assess personnel needs and effectively utilize recruitment, training, management, and evaluation processes to ensure adequate staff resources are available and prepared to meet library needs.
• In conjunction with the Director of Human Resources and HR development staff, ensure that position qualifications accurately reflect ISL certification requirements and that staff in those positions have attained, or are on track to attain, appropriate certification.
• Ensure opportunities and budget resources are available to support professional development and training for staff.
• Collaborate with Division Directors to plan and implement regular professional development and strategic planning sessions for department managers.
• Provide leadership and role modeling that fosters teamwork, inclusiveness, peer-to-peer mentoring, and a mutually respectful and supportive organizational culture.

Professional Development:

• Maintain LC1 certification as a director of a Class A public library as mandated by Certification Requirements for Indiana Public Library Professionals.
• Keep abreast of trends and innovations in the fields of library administration, management, and operations.
• Maintain memberships in professional library organizations, pursue professional development opportunities, and attend conferences, workshops, and trainings relevant to the administration and operation of public libraries.
• Ensure opportunities and financial support for professional development and training of staff.
• Collaborate with Division Directors to plan and implement regular professional development and strategic planning sessions for department managers.

Library Services and Operations:

• Provide overall leadership and guidance for providing effective and relevant library services to the community. Encourage and support ongoing assessment of existing services and resources, informed proposals for change, and development of new initiatives.
• Direct and ensure that library processes and procedures are clearly and accurately documented and provide staff with effective guidance for performing duties, maintaining compliance with policy, and supporting the library’s mission.
• Ensure that library processes and procedures support compilation and analysis of statistical data related to resources and services and are compatible with required statistical reporting for local, state, federal, and grant related agencies.
• Ensure that statistical reporting structures are in place and that the required annual and periodic reports are compiled and submitted in an accurate and timely manner.
• Ensure that library infrastructures are proactively and appropriately monitored, evaluated, and maintained and that effective planning for replacement, and/or upgrade is in place. Infrastructures include physical facilities and supporting services, telecommunications systems, network(s), internet connectivity, data storage, etc.

Click the complete career posting for additional information. To apply, submit completed application form linked on the Vigo County Public Library Career Page, resume, and letter of interest to rfox@vigolibrary.org. The linked video features the Terre Haute, Indiana community, where the main branch of the Vigo County Public Library is located in the downtown arts corridor.