Executive Director

Georgia Public Library Service; Athens (GA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Georgia Public Library Service in Athens is seeking an experienced Executive Director to lead the Athens Regional Library System, supervising 11 libraries and 130 staff, directing operations, budgets, and policy development.

The role requires MLS from an ALA-accredited school, G-5 librarian certification, and at least eight years' public library administration. Strong leadership, fundraising, and community partnerships are essential.

Qualifications

• MLS from an ALA-accredited library program is required.
• State Librarian certification at the G-5 level or higher is required.
• At least eight years of administrative experience in a public library.
• Evidence of continuing education beyond the MLS is expected.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic planning to position ARLS for the future.
• Foster a culture of trust, staff engagement, and open communication.
• Coordinate system budgets, planning, directing, and governance with stakeholders.
• Supervise managers and staff and align mission with member libraries.
• Report to the Board of Trustees and keep them informed on issues.
• Develop partnerships and secure funding opportunities with state agencies.
• Advocate for libraries at local, regional, and national levels.

Skills

Administrative leadership

Strategic planning

Staff management

Communication

Education

MLS from ALA-accredited library school

Georgia Librarian certification (G-5) or higher

Job description

Job Title: Executive Director

Status: Full-time; Exempt; Salaried with Benefits

Position Summary

The Executive Director leads the esteemed Athens Regional Library System. The library system is an urban-rural, multi-county system comprising five counties in Northeast Georgia, based in the delightful college town of Athens, Georgia, home of the University of Georgia. ARLS boasts excellent facilities, an outstanding, creative staff, and engaged, supportive communities who value their libraries. The Director manages, plans, organizes, evaluates, and administers all aspects of library service for the regional library system, which serves approximately 238,000 people. They manage 11 libraries and supervise 130 full and part-time staff. They direct operations, oversee financial management and grants administration, write and implement policies, evaluate services, and serve as a technical advisor to the Board. This position reports to the Athens Regional Library System Board of Trustees.

Training and Experience

Required:

• A Master’s Degree in Library/Information Science from an ALA-accredited institution
• State of Georgia Librarian certification at the G-5 level or higher
• At least eight years of administrative experience working in a public library
• Evidence of continuing education beyond the MLS is expected

Preferred:

• Bilingual ability (English-Spanish)

Representative Duties & Responsibilities

The following duties are normal, but not exclusive or all-inclusive, expectations for this job. Other duties may be required and assigned.

• Strives to position ARLS for the future through creative, innovative, and inclusive strategic planning
• Foster a culture of trust, appreciation, open communication, and staff engagement.
• Monitor healthy governance boundaries between the Executive Director, Staff, and Board.
• Coordinates the administrative operations of the regional library system, including preparing and executing system budgets, planning, directing, managing, and overseeing the activities of the system, and maintaining open communication with funding agencies and stakeholders.
• Supervises all managers and staff and works with the library board, staff, branch libraries, and major stakeholders to establish the strategic vision for the system, aligning its mission with member libraries.
• Reports to the board of trustees on all matters pertaining to system policies, finances, governance, personnel, and any matter that the board requests.
• Oversees the preparation of reports and keeps the board informed on current regional, state, and national library issues.
• Collaborates with the Georgia Public Library Service on projects to further library development. Ensures that ARLS takes advantage of grants, funding opportunities, and partnerships offered by the state agency.
• Meets all criteria for state aid under the requirements of the state library.
• Oversees the preparation of the annual budget and regular budget reports. Strives for efficiency in and continuous improvement of the regional system. Monitors expenses, advocates for local, state and federal funding, and maintains the fiscal integrity of the System.
• Works with support groups including the Friends organizations to enhance funding.
• Develops entrepreneurial activities to generate additional sources of funding including vending, passports, and the Library Store.
• Advocates locally, regionally, and nationally on behalf of public libraries to increase awareness of public libraries; increase community support, and facilitate sustainable funding.
• Works to maintain good working relationships and open communications with trustees, government officials, community groups and organizations.
• Hires, evaluates and directs System staff, develops and enforces personnel policies, monitors the effectiveness of the organization and institutes changes as needed.
• Offers staff development training and continuing education programs for staff.
• Assists and consults with member libraries to develop collections designed to meet the needs of the counties.
• Evaluates and implements new technologies and formats as appropriate.
• Consults with member libraries about library development including facilities master planning, technology, and services designed to meet the needs of the member libraries.
• Coordinates mutually beneficial collaborations with other library systems.
• Participates in the development, review, and implementation of the System Technology Plan.
• Oversees the maintenance and enhancement of buildings and vehicles.
• Works to build partnerships within the communities for projects, grants, and activities.
• Promotes the libraries as active and respected participants in community development and strategic plans.
• Stay informed about emerging technologies, including AI
• Maintain an open-door approachability with staff and patrons.
• Communicates openly, clearly, and effectively to share a vision of library services.
• Respect staff expertise and autonomy; empower staff to do their jobs effectively.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Manages and directly supervises staff, including coordinating and administering all library system programs, as well as some non-supervisory staff. Responsibilities include authorizing the hire of all employees; interviewing, hiring, and training; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; disciplining and rewarding employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of:

• Georgia Public Library Service requirements, federal and state laws and funding programs, administration, principles, practices, procedures, operations, and functions of the five-county library system.
• All applicable laws, ordinances, policies, standards, and regulations pertaining to specific duties.
• Management, finance, human resource management/personnel and administrative practices, policies and procedures as necessary in the completion of daily responsibilities.
• Development and administration of operations and staff plans, in order to establish objectives for the expedience and effectiveness of specific duties of the position.
• Collection development and skill at locating and procuring funds from various sources.

Ability to:

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees, with the public, member counties, and businesses providing services to the library system.
• Develop and administer practices, policies, and procedures as necessary in the completion of daily responsibilities and to monitor performance of subordinates against established and measurable goals.
• Keep abreast of changes in policy, methods, operations, budgetary and equipment needs.
• Develop and implement long-term goals
• Analyze library needs, evaluate services, and develop plans for effective service delivery.
• Use independent judgment and discretion in handling emergency situations, determining procedures, setting priorities, and resolving problems.

Other qualifications include: analytical thinking, communication skills, innovation, judgment, management experience, project management, strategic thinking, visionary leadership, and professionalism.