Deputy Library Director

Lafayette; Lafayette (CO); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Lafayette Public Library in Lafayette, Colorado, is seeking a Deputy Library Director to lead daily operations, guide programs, and advance service excellence for the community.

The role requires a Bachelor’s degree with a Master’s preferred and at least five years in library work, including supervisory experience. You will partner with the Department of Community Services to drive strategic initiatives, budgeting, and staff development.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred.
• Five years of library experience with at least three in a supervisory role.
• Commitment to accessible, culturally relevant library services.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day library operations and supervise staff and volunteers.
• Lead public service delivery, reference, circulation, and technology support.
• Coordinate with Facilities Maintenance and manage capital improvement planning.
• Develop and implement staff training and leadership development programs.
• Lead strategic planning, budgeting, and performance measurement.
• Foster collaboration and data-driven decision making across departments.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Budgeting

Writing

Public speaking

Team management

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

Job description

SUMMARY OR GENERAL PURPOSE:

As part of the City of Lafayette Community Services Department, the Lafayette Public Library is part of a team dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for our diverse residents through a range of programs, services, public spaces and facilities. The Deputy Library Director assumes a leadership role in the Library by overseeing daily operations, coordinating programs, and ensuring effective library service delivery.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

The following duties are illustrative only and are not intended to be all inclusive:

• Oversight of day-to-day Operations: Supervision of employees and volunteers engaged in providing library services. Coordination of library building maintenance with the City facilities maintenance team. Responds to public inquiries and complaints and assists with resolutions or alternative recommendations.
• Public Service: Serves as leader and an active part of the Library management group by supporting direct customer service in public reference or informational requests, circulation functions, or technology assistance.
• Administrative Functions: Attends and actively participates in all Library Advisory Board meetings; assists in developing meeting agendas, minutes and memos. In cooperation with the Director drafts and recommends Library policies for Board approval, provides research and information for planning purposes. Establishes operational procedures to implement approved policies. Prepares and files statistical reports to the state or other agencies as required. May attend other meetings and represent the Director and the Library.
• Coordination of Facility Management: Coordinates with Facilities Maintenance Division in long term planning activities related to the Library facility. Assists Director with overseeing capital improvement projects, including maintenance, design, major construction, and security of the library facilities.
• Coordination of Volunteer Program: In collaboration with other staff, supports and leads the Library volunteer program.
• Leadership Coaching & Staff Development: Mentor and coach library managers and staff to enhance leadership capabilities, foster professional growth, and create high-performing teams. Design and implement staff training programs that encourage continuous learning and alignment with organizational goals.
• Organizational Development: Collaborate with the Department Director to implement strategies that drive organizational growth and operational efficiency.
• Strategic Planning & Program Coordination: Collaborate with the Director and department leaders across the City organization to develop and execute strategic work plans that promote innovation and excellence in service delivery. Analyzes, plans, and participates in the development of capital improvement projects.
• Performance Management: Oversee the performance evaluation process for library managers, providing feedback, setting goals, and identifying opportunities for staff development and succession planning.
• Team Building & Collaboration: Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and innovative work environment. Encourage cross-departmental cooperation to integrate services and deliver holistic solutions to the Lafayette community.
• Resource Optimization & Budget Management: Supports coordination of fiscally responsible budget requests across Library work groups and develops Library division budget preparation and presentations. Assists in managing department budget and resources, identifies opportunities for financial and operational improvements. Supports staff in seeking and managing grants to further departmental goals.
• Data-Driven Decision Making: Lead efforts to gather, analyze, and use data to improve program effectiveness and efficiency. Implement continuous improvement processes based on data insights.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS:

SUPERVISION RECEIVED: Works independently under the general supervision of the Department Director for the Department of Community Services and in accordance with professional standards and established division policies and procedures.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED: Exercises general supervision of personnel assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

KNOWLEDGE:

• Principles, best practices, and current and emerging trends in library service and administration of public libraries.
• Knowledge of Colorado Library Law and principles of intellectual freedom and professional and ethical standards of public librarianship.
• Understanding of library collection development practices.
• Familiarity with library technology including integrated library systems (ILS), digital repositories and electronic resources.

SKILL:

• Strong communication, supervisory, interpersonal, and customer service skills as required in serving the public.
• Excellent writing skills for developing reports, correspondence, policies and procedures and various communications.
• Public presentation skills including the ability to present technical information in an understandable manner to residents, boards, and elected officials.
• Organizational and personnel management skills including leadership, supervisory skills, problem analysis and decision making, planning and organizing, cultural sensitivity, adaptability/flexibility, stress tolerance and time management.
• Financial and budget oversight skills.

ABILITY:

• Ability to establish and maintain effective, cooperative, and positive working relationships with City officials, staff, volunteers, other community organizations and the public.
• Ability to build a positive team environment, manage, and motivate staff.
• Ability to work collaboratively with others, exercising tact, courtesy, and good judgment.
• Ability to move between tasks with patience, flexibility and ease.
• Ability to use data to inform decision making and improve and adjust services.
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities, technologies, and community needs.
• Ability to uphold the Lafayette Public Library’s commitment to intellectual freedom, as described in the principles of the American Library Association's Library Bill Of Rights and its statements on Freedom To Read, Freedom To View, and Free Access to Minors.
• Ability to maintain confidential information which requires the application of appropriate judgment, discretion, and professional protocols.
• Ability to exercise appropriate judgment in interactions with personnel and the public, and in the interpretation of policies and procedures.

EVIDENCE OF QUALIFICATIONS:

TRAINING:

Bachelor’s degree required, and Master’s Degree in Library Science, Business, or Public Administration preferred.

EXPERIENCE:

Five (5) years of increasingly responsible library experience, with three (3) at a supervisory level, or any equivalent combination of training and experience that provides evidence that the applicant possesses the required knowledge, skills and abilities.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

An understanding and commitment to delivering safe, accessible, and culturally relevant Library services to Lafayette’s diverse residents.

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Work is performed indoors in a public building environment and involves sitting (40), walking (30) and standing (30). Other physical aspects of the position include bending, stooping, reaching, ability to reach high and low shelves; requires lifting and carrying of books, chairs, equipment, weighing up to 25 pounds. Work requires sufficient visual and audio acuity to perform duties. Includes evening and weekend hours and requires flexibility in scheduling. Alertness, precision, resourcefulness, flexibility, tact, ingenuity, problem solving, spatial perception, auditory discrimination, speaking, memory, concentration, judgment, writing, reasoning, initiative, patience, visual discrimination and persuasiveness are all mental criteria needed for the job. Extreme confidentiality is required.

INDEPENDENCE OF ACTION:

Work is governed by general policy requiring judgment and initiative in developing and implementing procedures to address work challenges. Completed work is reviewed only for attainment of objectives and effectiveness of results. Supervisor is involved on problems of major impact.

EQUIPMENT USED:

The ability to properly operate or use the equipment is necessary for this position: telephone, computer and associated software, scanners, e-readers and tablets, printers, modems, fax machine, photocopy machines, various audio-visual equipment, calculators, books, magazines, pamphlets. Use of personal transportation to library related events.