Director of Public Services

Hussey-Mayfield Memorial Public Library; Zionsville (IN); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The Hussey-Mayfield Memorial Public Library in Zionsville, IN seeks a Director of Public Services to lead Youth, Teen and Adult Services, Circulation, and Outreach across branches. You will supervise staff, develop strategies, and ensure policy compliance while advancing the library's mission.

Seeking a MLS with 5–7 years of public library leadership, strong budgeting, grant writing, and community engagement skills.

Qualifications

• Requires MLS from an ALA-accredited program.
• Indiana Public Librarian Certification Level 2 or higher.
• Valid Indiana Driver’s License within 6 months of hire.
• Demonstrated leadership and strong communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead Youth, Teen and Adult Services, Circulation, and Outreach across branches.
• Oversee organizational budgeting, policy development, and reporting.
• Supervise branch heads and public service staff; ensure policy compliance.
• Coordinate with Executive Director and Operations to run daily library operations.
• Develop and implement strategic plans and training opportunities.
• Represent the library in community partnerships and grants.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Budgeting

Staff development

Policy implementation

Community engagement

Education

Master’s Degree in Library Science

Indiana Public Librarian Certification Level 2

Valid Indiana Driver’s License

Job description

The Hussey-Mayfield Memorial Public Library has a long history of providing innovative, life-enriching services to the growing communities of Zionsville and Whitestown, Indiana. Our staff embraces new technologies, develops modern amenities, and offers personalized, up-to-date services. We promote collaborations and foster knowledge and entertainment throughout the community.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer.

JOB SUMMARY:

Under the general supervision and direction of the Executive Director, this role performs professional and administrative duties to plan, implement, direct, and evaluate library public services.

The Director of Public Services is the primary member of the senior management team that oversees Youth Services, Teen and Adult Services, Circulation Services, and Outreach Services; supervises the Maker Studio Specialists at the Zionsville and Whitestown branches; and supervises the Whitestown Branch Manager. The Director of Public Services assists the Executive Director in maintaining daily library operations and, in coordination with the Director of Operations, operates the library independently in the Executive Director’s absence. This position directly supervises assigned staff, coordinates the work of public services staff across locations, and develops policies and procedures that support the Library’s mission and strategic plan.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Organizational Leadership:

• Collaborates with the Senior Management Team to develop library-wide policies, budgets, and work plans; makes procedural decisions involving implementation and library operations.
• In coordination with the Director of Operations, acts for the Library Executive Director in their absence in directing, coordinating, and representing the Library.
• Attends and participates in Library Board of Trustees meetings.
• Prepares various reports and correspondence on projects and policy matters.
• Coordinates committees and special projects as requested by the Executive Director.
• Exemplifies and helps to foster a customer service-oriented and responsive organizational culture that upholds the mission, vision, values, and goals of the Library.
• Assists with developing, implementing, and reporting on the Library’s strategic plan.
• Recommends and develops training and development opportunities related to public services.
• Writes, applies for, administers, tracks, and reports on grants for the Library.
• Creates, develops, and assists with library fundraising with the Administration Team.
• Represents the interests of the public service departments in Library-wide planning and decision-making.
• Continually seeks and inspires innovation throughout the Library.
• Attends Friends of the Library meetings and represents the public service departments in grant applications and discussions.

Operational Oversight:

• Oversees the Library’s public services by directing the activities of the assigned departments, which includes the continual planning, coordinating, administering, and evaluating of programs, projects, processes, procedures, systems, standards, and service offerings; ensures compliance with federal, state, and local laws, regulations, codes, and standards.
• Monitors the daily operations of the public service departments, coordinates across branch locations, and allocates resources accordingly.
• Maintains continuous process improvements and participates in ongoing evaluations of long‑term planning affecting public services.
• Investigates complaints related to public services and resolves these by taking appropriate action.
• In coordination with public service department heads and the branch manager, prepares, administers, and coordinates public service departmental budgets, ensuring expenditures are effectively maintained and controlled and that appropriate revenues and fees are collected.
• Assists the Executive Director in preparing the annual budget by forecasting funds needed for public service staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies.
• Develops, recommends, and implements public services policies to ensure the Library's objectives and the public's needs are met.
• Assists with preparing monthly and special statistical reports; collects and analyzes data.

Staff Supervision and Development:

• Supervises, evaluates, and coaches assigned department branch heads and staff. Ensures employees follow policies and procedures.
• Maintains a healthy and safe working environment.
• Assists public service department heads/branch manager in planning, directing, and coordinating department work plans; identifies and resolves problems; assigns projects and programmatic areas of responsibility.
• Provides mentorship and development opportunities for staff reporting to this position.
• In coordination with the Executive Director, Branch Manager, and Department Heads, interviews, hires, and promotes those employees reporting to this position.
• Reviews employee performance on a continuing basis and completes the electronic annual review process in a timely and accurate manner.
• In coordination with the Executive Director, Branch Manager, and Department Heads, participates in employee discipline ranging from verbal and written warnings and suspension to discharge.
• Maintains accurate, timely payroll and time‑off records for direct reports.
• Plans and leads staff meetings/trainings.

Community Engagement:

• Maintains communication with the local community and represents the Library in various civic activities and community meetings.
• Forms strategic partnerships with community organizations to enhance Library services.
• Participates in outreach events.

Professional Development:

• Attends and participates in professional group meetings, trainings, and conferences and stays current on the latest trends and innovations in libraries and management.
• Uses available resources and training opportunities to gain experience and maintain proficiency with all technology, including hardware, software, and patron-facing databases, used by the Library.
• Obtains necessary LEU credits.

OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Fills in for public-facing staff as needed to ensure the Library operates smoothly and continuously.
• Creates and implements standard operating procedures.

This job description provides a representative summary of the position's major duties and responsibilities. Other duties may be assigned.

EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS & PREFERENCES:

• Required: Master’s Degree in Library Science from an ALA‑accredited program.
• Required: Indiana Public Librarian Certification Level 2 or above (or the ability to attain a temporary Level 2 permit or certification within six months).
• Required: Valid Indiana Driver’s License or the ability to attain one within 6 months of hire
• Required: Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Required: Role model level emotional intelligence, negotiation, and conflict management capabilities.
• Preferred: Experience with public library funding and budgeting.
• Preferred: Working knowledge and understanding of people operations and talent development best practices.
• Preferred: Minimum of 5-7 years of progressively responsible public library experience.
• Preferred: Minimum of 3 years of management experience.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Frequently: Reading, writing, standing, walking, and sitting
• Occasionally: pushing, pulling, and driving
• Rarely: Bending and lifting

The candidate must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily, either with or without reasonable accommodation.