Lee Itawamba Library System – Library Director Position Announcement
The Board of Trustees of the Lee Itawamba Library System seeks a forward-focused and highly motivated individual to serve as its next Library Director.
The Library Director administers a two-county library system in Northeast Mississippi with a total budget of $1.6 million and 22 FTE employees. With locations in Tupelo (Lee County) and Fulton (Itawamba County), the library system provides materials and services to all ages, including bookmobile service to patrons of Lee County. The library system receives funding from state, federal, and local funding agencies, as well as, from Friends of the Library groups, private and non-profit organizations. The Library Director serves as a member of the five-person Lee County Library Foundation Board, overseeing endowments totaling approximately $1 million.
The mission of the Lee Itawamba Library System is to inspire, encourage, and promote intellectual advancement in our community by providing access to information in a welcoming environment. We commit to: Creating young readers; Connecting patrons to the online world; Helping individuals make career choices; and Educating patrons on how to find, evaluate, and use information.
Community Profile:
Lee County is located in the center of north Mississippi and is a micropolitan county with a population of approximately 83,000. Tupelo is the county seat for Lee County, which also includes the smaller cities of Shannon, Verona, Guntown, Saltillo, Plantersville, Mooreville and Nettleton. Tupelo is a five-time recipient of the National Civic League’s All-America City award which recognize communities that leverage civic engagement, collaboration, inclusiveness, and innovation to successfully address local issues. Lee County offers many cultural and recreational activities for its communities and the surrounding area. The Natchez Trace Parkway and the Tombigbee Waterway provide opportunities for camping, fishing, and boating. The Parkway Visitor Center offers many free programs throughout the year. Tupelo is the north Mississippi hub for entertainment with the Cadence Center, Gumtree Art Museum, Oren Dunn Museum, the Tupelo Community Theater, Northeast Mississippi Symphony Orchestra, and many annual festivals. Tupelo also has several parks to enjoy with the three largest being Veteran's Park, Ballard Park, and Fair Park. Tupelo's biggest boast is being the birthplace of Elvis Presley and receives worldwide attention at the birthplace and museum.
Itawamba County is a rural county of approximately 23,401 people that is located in northeast Mississippi, just west of the Alabama Border. Its county seat is the City of Fulton, while the towns of Mantachie and Tremont, as well as numerous smaller communities can be found in the county. Fulton is home to the main campus of Itawamba Community College, recognized as an Aspen Institute Top 150 Community College and an Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence semifinalist, with an enrollment of over 7,000. Citizens of the county and visitors alike enjoy taking in recreational and cultural opportunities that the county presents. The Jamie Whitten History Center is located in the city of Fulton, along the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway. The town of Tremont proudly remembers native-born Country Music Legend Tammy Wynette at the Tammy Wynette Legacy Center. The George Poteet History Center and Historic Bonds House are located in the town of Mantachie.
Responsibilities:
This position is responsible for managing the library system in accordance with the policies established by the administrative board of trustees. The position manages all library system activities, including budget preparation and oversight, library services and programming, personnel decisions, and library materials and technology. Plans and directs the daily operation of the library system. Develops, revises, and recommends policies to the administrative board of trustees; Supervises the library staff and sets an example of expected behavior; Informs and teaches department supervisors about library policies and procedures; Works collaboratively with the administrative board of trustees, the library staff, the branch advisory board, the Friends of the Library advisory boards, and the library systems’ stakeholders to plan for the future of the library; Serves as the library’s advocate, diplomatically presenting the library’s story to the community; Consults with elected officials, community partners, and the general public to articulate the library system’s objectives, needs, policies, and services; Prepares and presents the annual budget for review by the administrative board of trustees for submission to the county and city officials; Plans expanded or new library facilities; Studies current and emerging library methods and modifies the library system to meet both professional library standards and the communities’ needs.
This a forty hour per week position and may include evening and weekend hours.
Qualifications:
Minimum Experience Level Required: 3-5 years of progressively increasing responsibility in an administrative and supervisory capacity in a public library setting. Thorough knowledge of public library operations, services, and future trends. A qualified candidate should have a master’s degree in library science from an American Library Association accredited institution.
Compensation:
The hiring salary range is $65,000 - $80,000 (negotiable based on experience) and an excellent fringe benefits package, including Public Employees’ Retirement System of Mississippi (PERS), State Health Insurance.
To apply for this position, send cover letter and resume via email to Bonnie Gaines, Administrative Assistant at adm2@li.lib.ms.us. Deadline for submission is May 10, 2023.