Director - Des Moines Public Library (IA)
Job Description:
Director – Des Moines Public Library (IA)
The Des Moines Public Library (IA)
Board of Trustees is seeking a visionary and strategic thinker to lead the
organization as the library’s next Director. This leader will possess
exceptional communication skills and will inspire staff to excel in their roles
while also fostering an environment that promotes growth within the
organization and innovation to meet evolving community needs. The Director
collaborates with the Library Board of Trustees to formulate and update library
policies and maintains an up-to-date strategic plan to implement those
policies. The Director should be flexible and able to creatively adapt to
changing circumstances within the library, the community and city and state
government.
The
Des Moines Public Library (DMPL) is a cornerstone of the community, providing
free access to information, resources, and lifelong learning opportunities for
all. DMPL has six branches throughout the city, including the Central Library
downtown, designed by British architect David Chipperfield. It employs
approximately 70 full-time staff along with 65 temporary and part-time members.
From bestselling books and interactive workshops to free WiFi, historical
archives, storytimes for children, and the library-of-things, the library
offers something for all ages and interests. DMPL provides a range of digital
resources, including eBooks, audiobooks, streaming media, newspapers and
periodicals, and research databases. The library hosts an array of events and
programs year-round at all locations, such as book clubs, Central’s rotating
Art Gallery, the annual Summer Reading program, a variety of community outreach
initiatives, and the celebrated AViD (Authors Visiting in Des Moines) speaker
series. The library also meets community needs with services such as Library by
Mail for homebound patrons, reservable meeting rooms, notary services, test
proctoring, and access to Community Fridges. Tech Central, the library’s
innovation lab, encourages hands-on exploration of technology and creative
projects. Guided by its mission to educate, inspire, and connect the lives of
Des Moines residents, the library is a space where ideas thrive, communities
come together, and everyone can access materials and services to help them lead
their best lives.
The
vital and vibrant city of Des Moines is proud to serve as Iowa’s state capital,
the county seat of Polk County, and the most populous city in the state.
Centrally located in Iowa, Des Moines spans approximately 90 square miles, is
home to an estimated 215,000 residents, and is part of a metropolitan area of
over 750,000 residents. Its downtown area, where hundreds of new apartments and
condos have been built in the past decade, is a magnet for young professionals.
The city has a balanced and diversified economy, serving as the financial,
commercial, industrial, trade, transportation, and health care center of Iowa.
The community is a cultural center for the state and home to several
world-class institutions, including Des
Moines Performing Arts, which hosts touring Broadway shows;
the Des
Moines Symphony; the Des
Moines Art Center, a modern and contemporary art museum; the
prestigious Pappajohn Sculpture Park; the Des Moines Metro Opera; and
the World
Food Prize headquarters. Des Moines hosts festivals year-round,
including the Des Moines Arts Festival, the World Food and Music Festival, the
Drake Relays, and the Iowa State Fair. The metro area also boasts the Lauridsen
Skatepark, the largest skatepark in the U.S.; an extensive network of bike
trails; and a growing network of water trails, which will soon include a
downtown whitewater kayaking course.
Responsibilities: The
ideal candidate will become a highly visible public figure who will cultivate
positive relationships with local government and community residents,
effectively manage and oversee the annual budget, collaborate with the Library
Foundation to assure the delivery of quality programming, champion intellectual
freedom, and have extensive knowledge of the philosophies, principles and
current best practices of public library operations. The Director will work
with governmental financial management and accounting procedures, manage
personnel, and communicate effectively both orally and in writing. For a full
list of responsibilities, please see the job description linked below.
Qualifications: A
master’s degree in library science from an American Library
Association-accredited program is required. The ideal candidate will have at
least five years of experience in management and administration, budget
oversight, customer service, programming development, or other relevant work in
a similarly sized public library system. The Director is required to establish
residency within the City of Des Moines within 12 months of hire.
Compensation: The
position has a salary range of $138,500 – $197,000 (with
placement negotiable dependent on experience and qualifications) and comes with
an excellent fringe benefits package.
For
further information, contact Bradbury Miller Associates
(https://bradburymiller.com/). Interested candidates should submit their resume
through the application portal
(https://bradburymiller.com/current-clients/) by selecting the position and
then the “Apply” button. This position closes on Sunday, August 24, 2025.
Visit
our website
(https://bradburymiller.com/current-clients/) to access the latest version of
this announcement in full, along with all related links.
Application link or email address: https://bradburymiller.com/current-clients/
Salary range or hourly wage: $138500-$197000
MLS required: Yes, an MLS is required.
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