CEO and Chief Librarian

Municipal World Inc.; Bracebridge; On-site; CAD 130,000 - 152,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary: CAD 130k–152k per year

Comprehensive benefits package

OMERS pension

Flexible work arrangements

Leadership growth opportunities

Job summary

Municipal World Inc. leads Bracebridge Library to serve residents and visitors with a forward-looking strategy and exceptional public programs. The CEO & Chief Librarian will drive operations, partnerships, budgeting, and policy to align with community needs in Bracebridge.

The role reports to the Bracebridge Library Board and requires strong leadership, stakeholder collaboration, and a commitment to access and inclusion in municipal libraries.

Qualifications

• Education: MLIS from an accredited program.
• Seven+ years of progressive library leadership experience.
• Strong strategic thinking and business acumen.
• Ability to build partnerships with community and stakeholders.
• Exceptional customer service orientation for residents.
• Excellent communication, both oral and written.
• Knowledge of Public Libraries Act and related legislation.
• Experience with budgeting, policy writing, and reporting.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and management of Bracebridge Library operations.
• Advance the library’s strategic direction and services.
• Serve as primary representative to community, government, and partners.
• Oversee secretary/treasurer functions.
• Drive continuous improvement in customer experience.
• Foster an accountable, collaborative workplace culture.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

People management

Community engagement

Financial management

Communication skills

Education

MLIS or equivalent library degree

Job description

About our Community

Bracebridge is a place where inspiration, opportunity, lifestyle, community and prosperity come together. The Town of Bracebridge is a community of more than 17,000 residents plus 9,000 seasonal residents living in both urban and rural areas. Located in the heart of Muskoka, Bracebridge is a magnet for recreation and tourism, with a growing base of non-recreational businesses. There is a sense of civic responsibility and interest in protecting and enhancing Bracebridge’s natural features; therefore, residents want increased and improved access to the Town’s natural features, such as parks, trails and waterfront areas, as well as community services that reflect community needs.With a growth rate of 8.1%, Bracebridge has significant residential, industrial and commercial growth on the horizon.

About The Coulson Family Bracebridge Library

In late 2024, the Coulson Family Bracebridge Library moved into a new 23,000 sq. ft. facility inside the Muskoka Lumber Community Centre – this new library is almost triple the size of the previous home in the Carnegie Library building. Since the relocation, the Library has experienced rapid growth of membership, patron visits, program attendance and online engagement and there is a wealth of new activities to complement the returning programs. The new library truly is Anything but the Ordinary. The Coulson Family Library welcomes patrons from across the region and neighbouring communities to participate in its innovative programming and services. Extensive community engagement helped shape the library’s design and function, ensuring it would serve as a vibrant hub for learning, creativity, and connection. The result is a state-of-the-art space that has created opportunities for the library to provide more programming to complement its existing activities.

• Light-filled, flexible areas designed to inspire discovery and comfort
• Accessible design and technology features supporting community inclusion and barrier-free spaces
• A dedicated local history room
• Integrated Makerspace and recording studio for creative exploration
• A vibrant youth area with the Odaminmaatig, an interactive play installation inspired by Anishinaabe teachings that encourages cultural learning through play and reflection
• Multiple spaces available to be booked by the public, and plenty of space for everyone who steps foot in the library to relax.

Define the Future

As our new CEO & Chief Librarian you will report directly to the Bracebridge Library Board, and be responsible for the leadership, general management, operations and financial management of the Bracebridge Library and for advancing the library’s strategic direction in a manner that reflects the organization’s mission, vision and values. As the CEO & Chief Librarian you will serve as an advisor to the Bracebridge Library Board and also oversee responsibilities related to the Secretary and Treasurer functions. In addition, this role will act as the primary representative to the community, community organizations, media, municipal administration and other levels of government and professional organizations.As the CEO & Chief Librarian you will analyze and review operational processes and systems to ensure they are forward thinking, community focused and executed with excellence, while seeking out innovative and effective ways to continuously improve quality of services to customers and maximize consistency and efficiency.As a change agent for the organization, you will support an organizational culture that is focused on providing a deep connection to community needs, an exemplary customer experience, while encouraging personal accountability and nurturing continuous improvement.

Key Skills that you Bring to the Team

• Education: Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) from an accredited program, or a recognized equivalent library degree.
• Leadership: Minimum of seven (7) years of progressive leadership experience in library administration coupled with a passion for excellence and service to the community.
• Strategic/Critical Thinking: Exceptional business acumen and critical thinking skills, ability to understand strategic directions, make independent evaluations, recommendations and apply this knowledge to achieve business plans that serve community interest.
• People and Partnerships: Ability to lead, with excellent organizational and people leadership skills, the ability to build a strong and engaged team and external partnerships, foster a positive, healthy and safe work environment, and to align programs and services with corporate goals, objectives and community needs.
• Customer Service: Experience with modern day community focused and service minded processes and approaches related to community needs.
• Collaboration and Engagement: Outstanding interpersonal skills for effective influence, and collaboration. Able to provide strategic advice to a range of stakeholders including the Board, Mayor/Council, internal departments, staff, community partners, and other stakeholders.
• Financial and Business Management: Excellent financial management, budgeting, prioritization, organizational, analytical, judgment, problem solving, research, report and policy writing, and time and project management skills.
• Acts and Legislation: Excellent working knowledge of the Public Libraries Act, and other relevant legislation.
• Communication Skills: Exceptional oral and written communication and presentation skills – you can turn into ideas and inspire action.

What we Offer

• Compensation and Benefits: Annual salary ranging from $130,020.80 to $152,115.60 plus a comprehensive benefits package and OMERS pension.
• Work-Life Balance: Enjoy a healthy work-life balance with flexible work arrangements.
• Growth Opportunities: Expand your leadership skills as you develop and mentor a talented team, with the chance to grow your career.
• Influence and Impact: You’ll be at the forefront of major community initiatives, helping shape policies that will drive our community's future.
• A Community That Cares: Be part of a vibrant community with a strong sense of identity, engaged citizens, and a shared commitment to progress.

Town of Bracebridge is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity in the workplace.