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Benton Harbor Public Library Director

The Benton Harbor Public Library (BHPL) seeks a dynamic, empathetic, highly skilled, and effective organizational leader to fill the position of Library Director. The ideal candidate must be committed to creating a culturally relevant, community-responsive, and organizationally inclusive environment. The Library Director's central role as a leader is to ensure library services are accessible to all patrons, prioritizing equity, innovation, and community engagement using transformative, complex adaptive leadership.

The library serves the City of Benton Harbor and Benton Charter Township in southwest lower Michigan. It is a Class IV library, with a diversely rich population totaling 23,396; it has an annual circulation of 29,000 and annual operating budget of $628,000. The area is considered rural but with urban characteristics, and is a popular tourist destination, with easy access to Lake Michigan. Nearby larger population centers include Kalamazoo, Michigan, and South Bend, Indiana. Chicago is a 90-mile drive west.

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Responsibilities

The Library Director must lead with agility, vision, and a shared sense of purpose to address and respond to evolving library services, community expectations, and funding resources. The Library Director must have a proven ability to secure, develop, and retain exceptionally talented, culturally proficient, and diverse candidates. The Library Director must have a demonstrated record of successfully initiating and leading systemic change and proven skills in building an effective team of organizational leaders who are capable, collaborative, and community-committed to propel the organization to meet the needs of patrons, in-person, online, and in the community.

For a more detailed description of anticipated responsibilities, please see the full job description below.

Qualifications

Master's degree in library science from an ALA-accredited program
Possession of a Level 1 Librarian’s Certificate from the Library of Michigan, or the ability to do so; completion of the Library of Michigan’s Advanced Director’s Workshop.
5+ years of professional library work experience at the management level, including:
- Demonstrated supervisory experience, including hiring, training, supervising, and evaluating staff and non-board volunteers
- Demonstrated experience in mentoring, inspiring, and retaining the library workforce
- Proven ability to prioritize work responsibilities, meet deadlines, and utilize delegation to meet the organization's operations
Demonstrated ability to identify, develop, and implement policies, plans, and initiatives to advance the organization's vision, mission, and goals
Demonstrated ability in culturally relevant and responsive community engagement strategies
Skilled in the use of computers and technology devices, the Internet, virtual meeting platforms, and integrated library technology software systems
Ability to work variable hours needed to complete the responsibilities of the Library Director, including day, evening, and weekend hours
Access to transportation

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Salary

$60,000-$70,000; current benefits include paid holidays, life insurance, paid time off, and 401(k) plan.

Application Procedure

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

Please send a cover letter, and resume or curriculum vitae, along with three professional references, to the attention of Yvette Moore, 213 E. Wall St., Benton Harbor, MI 49022 or send to bentonharborlibrary@yahoo.com. Please note Library Director in the subject line.