Library Director

City of Kings Mountain; Kings Mountain (NC); On-site; USD 76,000 - 114,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Kings Mountain, Mauney Memorial Library, seeks an experienced library administrator to plan, direct, and oversee all library operations. You will lead programs, services, and staff, with a focus on strategic planning, community engagement, and capital projects.

The role requires MLS/MLIS from an ALA-accredited program and 5–7 years of supervisory library experience, with responsibilities spanning budget oversight, grants, and outreach initiatives.

Qualifications

• Master of Library Science (MLS/MLIS) required from an ALA-accredited program.
• 5–7 years of progressively responsible professional public library experience, including supervisory or management experience.

Responsibilities

• Plan, direct, and oversee all library operations, programs, services, and personnel.
• Develop and implement short- and long-term plans in consultation with the advisory board and city management.
• Manage budgets, grants, facilities, technology, and community outreach initiatives.

Skills

Strategic planning

Budgeting

Leadership

Community engagement

Policy development

Education

MLS / MLIS

Tools

Library systems

Job description

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES

Performs complex professional and managerial work in planning, organizing, and directing the provision of library services in the community.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS

An employee in this class is responsible for the overall administration and operation of the City’s public library. Work involves strategic planning, budget administration, collection development, technology oversight, community engagement, personnel management, policy implementation, and coordination of the library programs and services. Employees serves as the City’s principal advisor on library operations, develops partnerships with community organizations and educational institutions, and ensures the library remains responsive to the changing informational, educational, cultural, and technological needs of the community. Work requires considerable independent judgement in managing departmental resources, facilities, personnel, and public outreach initiatives. Work is performed under the guidance of an advisory board and the general direction of the Assistant City Manager and is evaluated through conferences, reports, achievement of organizational goals and objectives, quality of services, and community impact.

Duties And Responsibilities

• Plans, directs, and oversees all operations, programs, services, personnel, facilities, and activities of the Mauney Memorial Library.
• Develops and implements short and long-term plans in consultation with the advisory board, City management, and staff to improve library services, address community needs, and plan capital projects.
• Researches and analyzes patron and community needs and develops services, programs, outreach initiatives, and marketing strategies in response to identified needs.
• Develops, recommends, implements, and administers library policies, procedures, collection development standards, and operational practices.
• Directs and supports library staff in providing high-quality, customer-focused service through effective leadership, communication, coaching, training, and performance management.
• Plans and implements programs, technology initiatives, and facility improvements that enhance library accessibility, efficiency, and community impact.
• Directs collection development by evaluating, selecting, acquiring, maintaining, and removing library materials in all formats.
• Oversees the integrated library system, electronic resources, digital services, public access technology, and emerging library technologies.
• Develops and administers the departmental operating and capital budgets; monitors revenues and expenditures; prepares long-range capital plans; and recommends cost-effective operational improvements.
• Identifies funding opportunities and prepares, administers, and monitors grants and other external funding.
• Responsible for recruitment, selection, training, career development, performance evaluation, counseling, and discipline of departmental personnel in coordination with Human Resources and in accordance with City policies.
• Reviews and analyzes circulation, information service requests, collection development, program participation, technology use, and other operational statistics to evaluate service effectiveness and recommend improvements.
• Works with the advisory board to establish planning objectives, recommend policies, prepare meeting materials, and provide regular reports on library operations and activities.
• Develops partnerships with schools, colleges, civic organizations, nonprofit organizations, professional associations, and regional library organizations.
• Promotes library services through community outreach, marketing initiatives, public presentations, and special events.
• Represents the library before City Council, advisory boards, professional organizations, governmental agencies, and community groups.
• Performs additional duties as required.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Knowledge of the principles, practices, methods, emerging trends of modern library administration and operations.
• Knowledge of collection development, reference services, library programming, and materials in print, audiovisual, electronic and digital formats.
• Knowledge of integrated library systems, electronic resources, and information technology.
• Knowledge of budgeting, strategic planning, grant administration, records management, and departmental administration.
• Knowledge of federal, state, and local laws, regulations, professional standards, and City policies applicable to public library operations.
• Skill in strategic planning, project management, and organizational leadership.
• Skill in utilizing integrated library systems (ILS), digital resources, and other library technologies.
• Ability to plan, organize, direct, and evaluate the work of departmental personnel.
• Ability to develop and coordinate library programs and services for diverse populations and age groups.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the public, department heads, government officials, City employees, and patrons.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, and to prepare and maintain accurate records and reports.

Education And Experience

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a master’s degree in library science or library and information science from a program accredited by the American Library Association (ALA) is required.
• 5-7 years of progressively responsible professional public library experience, including supervisory or management experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience providing the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to adequately perform the essential duties may be considered.

Supervisor Responsibilities

• Provides direct and indirect supervision to all Library personnel.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Work is primarily performed in an office and public library environment with controlled environmental conditions. The employee may occasionally work outdoors during programs, events, and community outreach activities. Work involves frequent interaction with the public and may include responding to disruptive, emotionally distressed, or confrontational individuals. Some evening and weekend work may be required for meetings, programs, and special events.

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to perform the basic life operational functions of climbing, stooping, kneeling, reaching, standing, walking, fingering, grasping, talking, hearing and repetitive motions.
• Must be able to perform light work exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects.
• Must possess visual acuity to analyze data and figures, operate a computer, to read, analyze and prepare reports, and perform extensive reading. Vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word. Hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels.

Special Requirements

• Legally eligible to work in the United States.
• Possession of a valid North Carolina Class C Driver’s License.
• Possession of North Carolina Public Librarian Certification, or ability to obtain within one (1) year of employment.

HIRING RANGE

$76,104-114,155