Executive Director

Graves County Public Library; Mayfield, Northern (KY, KY); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Vacation days

Health and dental insurance

Public service mission

Job summary

Graves County Public Library is seeking a dynamic Executive Director to lead eleven staff and guide library services serving about 37,000 residents. The role reports to the Board of Trustees and requires strong leadership, fiscal stewardship, and community engagement.

The successful candidate will manage operations, facilities, and programs, foster a collaborative culture, and ensure governance aligns with Kentucky standards and KDLA requirements.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in library or information science from an accredited program; willingness to obtain within timeframe required by the Board.
• At least five years of progressively responsible experience, including supervisory and administrative experience.
• Ability to meet Kentucky librarian certification requirements.
• Demonstrated leadership, management, budgeting and financial oversight, strategic planning, staff development, organizational, written, verbal, and public-speaking skills.

Responsibilities

• Plan, organize, direct, implement, and evaluate library services, programs, outreach, technology, and operations to meet community needs.
• Provide day-to-day administrative, supervisory, and professional leadership; set clear expectations and ensure commitments are met.
• Recruit, select, promote, supervise, train, evaluate, develop, and discipline employees per policy and law.
• Foster a respectful, service-focused workplace culture with staff development and accountability.
• Maintain accurate administrative records and protect confidential information.
• Oversee facilities, equipment, technology, accessibility, safety, and bookmobile operations.
• Oversee collection development to keep services relevant and accessible.
• Oversee the bookmobile program and serve patrons unable to access the main library.
• Attend Board meetings, report on operations and finances, and communicate with the Board.

Skills

Leadership

Budgeting

Strategic Planning

Staff Development

Public Speaking

Communication

Teamwork

Problem Solving

Confidentiality

Judgment

Education

Master’s degree in Library or Information Science

Job description

Graves County Public Library
Executive Director Job

Description Position Overview

The Graves County Public Library Board of Trustees seeks an engaged, forward-thinking, community-oriented, and people-focused Executive Director to lead a talented staff of eleven full- and part-time employees. The Library serves approximately 37,000 county residents.

The Executive Director serves as the Library’s chief executive and administrative officer. Reporting directly to and accountable to the Board of Trustees, the Executive Director provides leadership for the Library’s people, programs, collections, finances, facilities, community relationships, and future direction. The successful candidate will be visible, approachable, open-minded, diplomatic, and professional; will value employees and patrons; and will lead with sound judgment, integrity, confidentiality, tact, and accountability.

Essential Responsibilities Leadership and Operations

• Plan, organize, direct, implement, and evaluate innovative, creative, and high-quality Library services, programs, outreach, technology, and operations in response to community needs.
• Provide day-to-day administrative, supervisory, and professional leadership; establish clear expectations, organize work effectively, make timely decisions, and ensure commitments are met.
• Recruit, select, promote, supervise, instruct, evaluate, develop, and, when appropriate, discipline employees in accordance with Board policy and applicable law.
• Build a respectful, service-focused workplace culture that supports staff development, continuing education, constructive feedback, teamwork, appropriate delegation, and accountability.
• Maintain accurate administrative records and files, including personnel, financial, purchasing, historical, and Board-proceedings records; protect confidential information.
• Oversee Library facilities, equipment, technology, accessibility, safety, maintenance, and associated property, including the bookmobile.
• Oversee collection development and ensure collections and services remain relevant, accessible, and responsive to community needs.
• Oversee the Library’s bookmobile program and ensure it effectively serves patrons who are unable to access the main Library.

Board Relations and Strategic Direction

• Attend Board meetings; prepare and present accurate reports on Library operations, opportunities, challenges, and monthly financial information; and maintain open communication with the Board President and Board members.
• Carry out Board-adopted policies and strategic direction while maintaining a clear distinction between Board governance and the Director’s responsibility for day-to-day management.
• Work with the Board to develop, implement, review, and update policies and to review the strategic plan at regular intervals.
• Recommend policies and advise the Board on operational, fiscal, staffing, facilities, and strategic matters; provide timely notice of significant risks, concerns, or compliance issues.
• Accept accountability for organizational performance and participate in the Board’s performance-evaluation process.

Financial Stewardship and Compliance

• Prepare and recommend an annual budget; operate the Library in a sound fiscal manner within the Board-approved budget; monitor revenues and expenditures; and exercise responsible stewardship of public resources.
• Maintain appropriate financial controls, purchasing practices, and records; work cooperatively with auditors, vendors, financial institutions, and governmental agencies as appropriate.
• Ensure compliance with applicable Kentucky statutes, regulations, professional standards, Board policies, reporting requirements, and other requirements affecting Kentucky public libraries.
• Meet and maintain applicable certification and continuing-education requirements of the Kentucky State Board for the Certification of Librarians and the Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives (KDLA); participate in relevant professional development and use KDLA resources as appropriate.
• Stay informed about legislation, procedures, library trends, and professional issues affecting library services, and share relevant information with staff and the Board.

Community Relations, Advocacy, and Communication

• Serve as an active, visible, and effective representative of the Library; build constructive relationships with patrons, staff, volunteers, trustees, the Friends of the Graves County Public Library, schools, county officials, community organizations, and other partners.
• Represent the Library at community functions and speaking engagements; communicate the Library’s mission, needs, accomplishments, and impact clearly in public settings.
• Develop and maintain marketing and public-relations efforts that keep the public informed about Library services, programs, materials, policies, and opportunities.
• Respond to Library-related media inquiries as necessary and work with the Board to develop or review responses when appropriate.
• Prepare accurate written and oral communications, reports, and presentations; use technology confidently, including library systems, computers, and automation equipment.

Qualifications

Required

• Master’s degree in library or information science from an accredited program, or the willingness and ability to obtain a degree within a timeframe established by the Board and consistent with applicable Kentucky certification requirements.
• At least five years of progressively responsible experience, including supervisory and administrative experience.
• Ability to meet and maintain applicable Kentucky librarian certification requirements.
• Demonstrated leadership, management, budgeting and financial-oversight, strategic planning, staff development, organizational, written, verbal, and public-speaking skills.
• Ability to establish effective working relationships; solve problems; manage multiple priorities; maintain confidentiality; and exercise initiative, dependability, resourcefulness, and sound professional judgment.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to drive.

Leadership Characteristics

The Board seeks a leader who is community-oriented and people-focused; values employees, patrons, and public service; listens before acting; communicates openly; develops others; creates systems and structure; delegates appropriately; manages performance fairly and consistently; handles conflict professionally; and acts ethically and responsibly with public resources. The Executive Director must be able to balance warm, relationship-centered leadership with clear expectations, effective management, public presence, accountability, and follow-through.

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements

• Regularly remain in a stationary position and move throughout the Library and its facilities as needed to supervise operations, interact with staff and patrons, attend meetings, and perform other responsibilities.
• Frequently operate computers, office equipment, telephones, and other technology used in Library administration.
• Communicate effectively with employees, patrons, Board members, community partners, government officials, vendors, and the public in person, by telephone, electronically, and in public settings.
• Occasionally reach, bend, stoop, kneel, carry, push, pull, or otherwise position oneself as needed for work-related responsibilities.
• Occasionally move, transport, or lift books, materials, supplies, equipment, boxes, or other work-related items weighing up to 25 pounds, with assistance or appropriate equipment when necessary.
• Work primarily in a public-library and office environment. Occasional evening, weekend, or extended hours and local or regional travel may be required for Board meetings, programs, community events, professional development, emergencies, or other Library business.

Benefits

• Competitive salary, vacation days, and paid holidays
• Health and dental insurance