Senior Librarian-Programming and Outreach

City of Sioux Falls; Sioux Falls (SD); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Sioux Falls seeks a Senior Librarian of Programming and Outreach to lead library programs and community engagement across Siouxland Libraries. This role drives lifelong learning, literacy, creativity, and community connection while managing a programming budget and supervising a management team.

The position emphasizes collaboration with other City departments, external partners, and a focus on continuous improvement in service delivery.

Qualifications

• ALA-accredited master's degree in library science required.
• Minimum four years of library experience with progressive responsibility.
• At least two years of supervisory experience.

Responsibilities

• Direct, oversee, and supervise programming and outreach across library locations.
• Lead development and evaluation of programs for all ages with a focus on lifelong learning.
• Manage a programming budget and supervise the programming leadership team.
• Build strategic community partnerships to expand library impact.
• Collaborate with City departments and external partners to meet community needs.
• Model effective leadership, coaching, and goal-driven staff development.

Skills

Leadership

Team building

Coaching

Communication

Relationship-building

Education

Master's in Library Science

Job description

Senior Librarian-Programming and Outreach in City of Sioux Falls, SD |

City of Sioux Falls

Location

City of Sioux Falls, SD

Midmanagement

Job Number

202600182

Siouxland Libraries

Opening Date

11/04/2026

Closing Date

11/30/2026 at 5:00 PM Central Time (US & Canada)

We are seeking a Senior Librarian of Programming and Outreach. Are you an experienced and motivated public service leader with a heart for people and a strong sense of ownership in your work? If so, we want you on our team.

This position is responsible for leading and coordinating library programming and outreach services across all library locations, ensuring efficient, consistent, and high-quality service systemwide. In this role, you will oversee the vision, planning, development, and evaluation of diverse programs for all age groups, with an emphasis on supporting lifelong learning, literacy, creativity, and community connection. As a key member of our administrative leadership team, you will manage a dedicated programming budget, supervise members of the management team, and build strategic community partnerships to expand the library’s impact beyond our walls.

You’ll also play a key role in fostering collaboration among managers, ensuring alignment with the library’s mission, vision, and values, while driving operational excellence through thoughtful planning and accountability. A major part of this role includes partnering with other City departments and outside organizations to meet the community’s programming needs and interests—bringing a spirit of teamwork and a focus on continuous improvement to everything you do.

If you possess effective leadership skills and have a passion for coaching and developing a team through goal setting, regular feedback, and building positive working relationships, this may be the right fit for you.

You’ll be working in a professional environment guided by the following Core Values:

• Safety: Protecting quality of life
• Teamwork: Collaborating to serve
• Innovation: Driving growth and development
• Character: Doing the right thing
• Respect: Honoring the dignity of others

Siouxland Libraries will be seeking candidates with the following qualifications and competencies:

• Future-oriented: Able to articulate a compelling vision of future possibilities and assess their potential for success. Possesses broad knowledge and perspective.
• Team builder and coach: Demonstrated ability to develop high-performing teams and mentor emerging leaders.
• Adaptable and decisive: Copes effectively with change, shifts gears comfortably, and manages risk and uncertainty. Makes timely, action-oriented decisions—even without having the full picture.
• Strong communicator: Communicates clearly, appropriately, and effectively—both orally and in writing.
• Organizationally savvy: Understands how organizations, especially libraries, function. Knows how to achieve results through both formal and informal channels. Grasps the culture of the organization and the reasoning behind its key policies, practices, and procedures.
• Relationship-oriented: Builds strong, appropriate rapport across all levels of the organization and with external partners. Uses tact and diplomacy to navigate and defuse high-tension situations.
• Mission-aligned leadership: Sets and upholds clear expectations consistent with Siouxland Libraries’ mission and values. Addresses issues promptly, resolves conflict equitably, and motivates others toward success.

Job Responsibilities

1. Direct, oversee, and supervise the administration of the following Siouxland Libraries’ programs and administrative functions as assigned:

Collections/Systems Management:

• Oversee library technology operations including collection management, library-specific hardware and software, and interlibrary loaning activities and procedures.
• Develop strategic plans for updating technology, processes, and procedures.
• Direct and assist Supervising Librarians and Library Marketing Coordinator concerning ongoing administration and strategic planning functions and related areas of responsibility.
• Responsible for leading external and internal communication, marketing strategies, and related functions including, but not limited to, web and social media, media relations, and public communication opportunities.
• Maintain awareness of technological advances to ensure innovative, efficient, productive, and cost-effective operations.
• Review, analyze, and evaluate technological developments and vendor products.

Operations:

• Plan, organize, coordinate, budget for, and supervise the operations of a major library division; establish operational procedures, monitor effectiveness, and resolve operational issues to support continuous improvement.
• Lead the development, review, revision, and implementation of systemwide policies, procedures, administrative guidelines, and operational standards in collaboration with City departments to promote consistency, accountability, efficiency, and alignment with organizational goals. Analyze operational data, performance metrics, and industry trends to evaluate practices, identify opportunities for improvement, and develop evidence-based recommendations for systems, processes, and resource allocation.
• Lead strategic planning for library facilities by assessing building conditions, space utilization, accessibility, and future service demands to identify facility needs and recommend long-term strategies.
• Collaborate with City departments, consultants, and other stakeholders to prioritize facility projects and coordinate planning for capital improvements and major building projects.
• Provides leadership and direction for the planning, development, implementation, and evaluation of systemwide programming initiatives serving children, teens, adults, families, and other community audiences.
• Establishes programming priorities, standards, and evaluation practices that align with the library's strategic plan, organizational mission, and identified community needs.
• Evaluates program effectiveness, participation trends, and community impact to guide decisions, identify opportunities for improvement, and inform future programming.
• Leads the development and implementation of outreach strategies designed to expand awareness of library services, engage new audiences, and reduce barriers to library access.
• Develops and sustains partnerships with schools, community organizations, businesses, government agencies, and other stakeholders to extend the library's reach and respond to community needs.
• Identifies emerging community needs, underserved populations, and opportunities for expanded library services through research, data analysis, stakeholder engagement, and collaboration with community partners.

2. Supervise employees, assign work, and provide work direction. Make recommendations relative to hiring, promotions, layoff, discharge, suspensions, disciplinary actions, performance evaluations, and the adjustment of grievances.

3. Collaborate with leadership in regard to overall strategic planning, policy formation, priority setting, and resource allocation. Accept general assignments from the Director.

4. Develop and maintain key partnerships with individuals and organizations directly involved in library activities.

5. Analyze resources and prepare budgetary recommendations related to library system operations and communication to meet department goals. Prepare and submit annual budget requests for areas under assigned responsibilities as directed. Oversee and assist Librarians in preparing and administering annual budgets and ensure that operations are maintained within budget limitations.

6. Interpret organizational goals and objectives to staff, and interpret, enforce, and implement policies and procedures to users.

7. Research and prepare special projects as assigned by the Director, including, but not limited to, reports, policies, and procedures.

8. Represent Siouxland Libraries as assigned at various board and civic meetings.

9. Participate in public relations activities for the department. Review and approve potential initiatives.

10. Perform other such duties and functions as are necessary or incidental to the proper performance of this position.

Minimum Qualifications

Graduation from an ALA accredited college or university with a master’s degree in library science, and a minimum of four (4) years’ library experience with demonstrated areas of progressive responsibility, and a minimum of two (2) years’ of supervisory experience; or any such combination of education, experience, and training as may be acceptable to the hiring authority.

Supplemental Information

Knowledge of the professional methods and practices of public library administration and services, including, but not limited to, the use of emerging technologies to provide library services and effectively advance organizational objectives.

Knowledge of principles and practices of public administration.

Skill and ability to develop, prepare, and administer a budget; and interpret and understand related financial, statistical, research, and technical reports.

Ability to analyze data, processes, and procedures; develop representative and meaningful reports and recommendations to improve service and staff efficiency.

Ability to effectively motivate and manage personnel.

Ability to work independently and innovatively in a variety of situations and be flexible and adaptable to change.

Ability to use Microsoft Office-based business software applications, library-specific software applications, and website/social media applications.

Knowledge of library collections and formats, including print, electronic, and nonprint resources.

Effective organizational skills including ability to multitask and manage multiple projects and adaptability to changing priorities to meet demands of the business.

Ability to develop and conduct presentations to staff, library stakeholders, and citizen groups.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with elected, appointive, midmanagement, and other Library and City employees.

Must have mobility and ability to perform field duties in various locations throughout the city.

Ability to communicate effectively with staff and public, both orally and in writing.

Ability to maintain confidentiality and integrity of Siouxland Libraries.