Library - Director (Palmdale City Library)

The Library Director advances the LS&S mission, vision, and values through strategic leadership, operational excellence, and a strong commitment to customer service.

The Library Director is responsible for the overall management and performance of a single-location library system, ensuring all contractual obligations, service standards, and operational goals are achieved. This position provides leadership and direction to library staff, fostering a collaborative, customer-focused culture that delivers exceptional library services and creates a vibrant community resource.

The Library Director serves as the primary liaison between LS&S and the customer, building and maintaining strong relationships with local officials, stakeholders, and community partners. This role is responsible for managing the customer relationship, identifying opportunities for service enhancement, and ensuring the library remains responsive to the evolving needs of the community we serve.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITES

• Demonstrates integrity, professionalism, and sound judgment while promoting the culture, values, mission, and strategic objectives of LS&S and creating thriving libraries in the heart of the communities we serve.
• Provides overall leadership and direction for library operations, ensuring compliance with contractual obligations, organizational standards, and service expectations.
• Evaluates library operations, service delivery, and key performance indicators to identify challenges, opportunities, and areas for continuous improvement.
• Maintains regular communication with the Vice President of Library Operations, including participation in scheduled weekly meetings and timely reporting on operational performance and customer concerns.
• Leads, coaches, and develops library staff to achieve operational goals and deliver exceptional customer service and patron experiences.
• Monitors staffing levels and workforce needs to ensure effective service delivery and operational efficiency.
• Conducts performance evaluations, provides ongoing feedback, and supports employee growth and development.
• Develops and implements action plans that support organizational objectives, service improvements, and community needs.
• Maintains knowledge of library trends, emerging technologies, industry best practices, and political, economic, and demographic factors that may impact library services.
• Plans, implements, and monitors local, regional, and company initiatives, ensuring accountability and successful execution of established goals.
• Utilizes organizational tools, resources, and best practices to ensure effective and efficient library operations.
• Analyzes financial reports, usage statistics, demographic data, and other operational metrics to identify trends, inform decision-making, and improve library performance.
• Oversees the selection, acquisition, maintenance, and management of library collections in accordance with established policies, community needs, and budgetary guidelines.
• Serves as the primary local representative of LS&S and manages relationships with city and county officials, governing bodies, library boards, community organizations, and other stakeholders.
• Regularly solicits feedback from customers, stakeholders, and patrons to assess service effectiveness and identify opportunities for enhancement.
• Promotes and maintains a positive, healthy, inclusive, and safe work environment in compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and company policies.
• Administers and ensures compliance with Company human resources policies, procedures, and employment practices.
• Understands and upholds the American Library Association's Library Bill of Rights, Freedom to Read Statement, and Freedom to View Statement, while supporting client policies regarding collection development and access to materials.
• Ensures compliance with all laws, regulations, and policies related to patron privacy, confidentiality, and the stewardship of patron records.
• Performs other duties and special projects as assigned.

CORE COMPETENCIES 

The Library Director must demonstrate proficiency in the following competencies:

• Adaptability – Demonstrates flexibility and resilience in a changing environment while maintaining effectiveness, professionalism, and focus on organizational objectives.
• Ethical Leadership – Consistently acts with integrity, professionalism, and accountability, ensuring decisions and actions align with LS&S values, policies, and ethical standards.
• Relationship Building – Establishes and maintains productive working relationships with employees, customers, local officials, stakeholders, community partners, and patrons.
• Communication – Communicates effectively through verbal, written, and interpersonal interactions, conveying information clearly, professionally, and in a timely manner.
• Innovation – Identifies opportunities for improvement and develops creative solutions that enhance library operations, services, and community engagement.
• Customer Focus – Anticipates, understands, and responds to the needs of customers, patrons, and stakeholders while delivering high-quality service and results.
• Team Leadership – Fosters collaboration, engagement, accountability, and professional development while building high-performing teams.
• Leadership – Inspires and influences others to achieve organizational goals while promoting a culture of service, inclusion, and continuous improvement.
• Decision Making – Evaluates information, assesses risks, and makes sound, timely decisions that support operational and organizational success.
• Organization and Execution – Effectively prioritizes work, manages multiple responsibilities, monitors progress, and ensures successful completion of objectives.
• Strategic Planning – Develops and implements plans that align with organizational priorities, customer expectations, and community needs.
• Problem Solving – Identifies root causes of issues, evaluates alternatives, and implements effective solutions.
• Strategic Thinking – Considers long-term trends, emerging opportunities, and organizational objectives when making recommendations and decisions.

BENEFITS

• LS&S offers a comprehensive benefits package that may include:
• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary,and AD&D)
• Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick Leave, and Holidays)
• Tuition Assistance Program
• Professional Development and Training Opportunities
• Employee Wellness Resources

Compensation $95,000-$105,000.00 Annually

 QUALIFICATIONS

• Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) degree from an accredited institution.
• Three (3) or more years of supervisory or leadership experience.
• Three (3) or more years of progressively responsible library management experience, including oversight of library operations, staff, programs, budgets, and customer service.
• Experience analyzing and applying financial reports, operational metrics, and library-related data, including usage statistics, demographic information, and service trends, to support decision-making and strategic planning.
• Knowledge of library programming, collection management, budgeting, and financial administration.
• Experience in a customer-facing environment requiring frequent interaction with patrons and responsibility for resolving patron concerns, responding to inquiries, and ensuring a positive customer experience.
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain effective relationships with community stakeholders, local officials, boards, and partner organizations.
• Strong written and verbal communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency with library technologies, integrated library systems, and other business-related software.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, including Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Teams, with the ability to effectively utilize technology for communication, reporting, data analysis, presentations, and daily business operations.

 PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to remain stationary for extended periods while working at a computer, attending meetings, or completing detailed administrative tasks.
• Ability to frequently operate a computer and other standard office equipment.
• Ability to occasionally lift, carry, push, or move materials weighing up to twenty-five (25) pounds, including books, files, supplies, and library materials.

Ability to travel locally and, on occasion, regionally as required to support library operations, customer relationships, meetings, and training activities.