Executive Director

Overview

Quincy Public Library (QPL) in Quincy, Illinois is searching for a new Executive Director to lead our 138-year old Library as we navigate a potential transition to a district library model, integrate our new mobile library into our range of services, and continue to serve our community by providing access to books, materials, programming, and a range of other services to assist our patrons to meet lifelong learning, cultural, and recreational needs.

• Develop and steward a culture that centers community members and library patrons
• Build alignment across the organization to further strategic goals
• Make effective, evidenced-based, timely decisions and communicate decisions clearly
• Anticipate change and be ready to make necessary adaptations
• Board Relations
  • Report regularly to the nine-member Board of Directors (BOD) on QPL’s finances, organization, operations, collections, administration, challenges, and obstacles
  • Advise the BOD on policies, procedures, and all facets of the library’s operations
  • Work with the BOD on establishing and implementing a long-range strategic plan
  • Attend all board and committee meetings in an ex officio capacity
  • Prepare meeting agendas in cooperation with the president and committee chairs
  • Facilitate and promote the continuing education of board members (confidentiality of library records, open meetings law, Fair Labor Standards Act)
  • Seek and accept ideas, suggestions, and feedback from the BOD
  • Provide orientation to all newly appointed board members
  • Understand the role of the Executive Director and the BOD in creating and implementing policy
  • Fulfill executive and administrative responsibilities for Quincy Public Library Foundation (QPL’s 501c3 organization) and the Townships of Quincy Area Public Library District

• Create a vision that keeps the library innovative and on the cutting edge in collections, services, and programming
• Supervise library functions of collections, circulation, reference, and programming
• Implement the policies of the library as adopted by the BOD
• Suggest and implement plans for extending the library’s services
• Oversee the selection, purchasing, processing, maintenance, and deselection of all books, periodicals, audio-visual, and other library materials in accordance with board approved policy
• Serve the interests and needs of all library users by keeping current on new materials through professional literature and by knowing the public using the library

• Direct the recruitment, selection, and supervision of staff
• Coordinate the training and annual evaluation of all personnel
• Create staff development plans and retention initiatives while making sure sufficient resources are allocated within the annual budget
• Work closely with department leads, delegating responsibilities as appropriate
• Inspire staff to do their best work by acting as a supporter and motivator
• Analyze staff functioning periodically with the objective of combining, eliminating, and/or creating new positions
• Follow a planned orientation plan for new employees which includes (but is not limited to) the mission, long range goals, policies, and services of the library, and job responsibilities
• Make job assignments and schedule hours and vacations for staff

Address performance issues and take actions necessary to correct problems with staff in a direct and fair manner

• Prepare regular reports summarizing the library’s progress, statistics, and future needs; prepare reports monthly for the Library Board and as needed for other agencies
• Oversee all financial activities including budget management, cash flow, report preparation, audits, and internal controls
• Monitor the performance of investments portfolios
• Ensure that library funds are spent appropriately, in the best interests of the library and its patrons
• Provide the Board accurate, understandable information about the financial status of the library through monthly financial statements
• Make well-supported budgeting recommendations to the Board
• Facilities Management
  • Supervise the care, maintenance, appearance, and security of the library building and property
  • Keep the BOD apprised of…