OMAHA PUBLIC LIBRARY

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1 Director Search OMAHA PUBLIC LIBRARY 1 Our Great Community Known for its midwestern hospitality and welcoming residents, Omaha, a vibrant, progressive and diverse community of 419,000 people, is a great place to live, to raise a family, and to enjoy life to the fullest. Founded in 1854, Omaha is continually transforming. The riverfront and downtown areas are developing and changing with two billion dollars in development added in recent years. With a cost of living well below the national average, Omaha residents enjoy a high quality of life and a variety of affordable housing options. Outdoor activities abound and exciting arts and cultural opportunities are plentiful. Education is important with award-winning schools and universities a focal point of the community. Omaha is home to five Fortune 500 companies and boasts a talented and educated workforce. The Holland Performing Arts Center hosts the Omaha Symphony as well as an array of superb guest artists. Theater lovers will enjoy the Omaha Theater Company and Broadway touring productions. The Joslyn Art Museum, the Bemis Center for Contemporary Art and many Omaha galleries are places to enjoy the visual arts. The Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium features the Desert Dome, the world s largest indoor desert under the world s largest geodesic dome, as well as the Lied Jungle, America s largest indoor tropical rainforest. Sports lovers can enjoy participating in many leisure time activities such as golf, hiking and boating, as well as watching the NCAA Men s College World Series, the Aksarben s River City Rodeo, hockey and arena football.

2 Omaha Public Library With roots dating back to 1872, the Omaha Public Library is committed to serving the community through its 12 library locations and a wide range of digital services. OPL s dedicated staff provides positive and welcoming experiences to all of its customers, both online and in person. Our Vision Omaha is a vital and vibrant city, with Omaha Public Library as an essential catalyst, collaborator and connector. Our Mission Omaha Public Library strengthens our communities by connecting people with ideas, information, and innovative services. As a trusted resource in the community, OPL is proud of its commitment to openness and transparency. An innovative public library that continually seeks new and better ways to provide services, OPL anticipates change and responds quickly and imaginatively. An integral part of the communities it serves, OPL works closely with other organizations and institutions to develop partnerships that move Omaha forward. OPL s programs, services and collections represent diverse viewpoints and ensure equitable access to all. In 2011, the OPL strategic plan concentrated on two core strategies: OPL as a nexus/connector for Omaha s citizens and public, private and nonprofit organizations that strive to create a better Omaha; OPL reaching out to Omaha s residents, learning more about them and their needs and developing solutions and services to address those needs. 2

3 By The Numbers Number of Libraries 11 Branches, 1 Main Library Legal Service Area Population 511,935 In 2012 OPL was awarded an IMLS Leadership Grant to spearhead a project intended to help define the role of the public library to its community and create a collaborative culture through community engagement. This project resulted in a team of highly trained community facilitators available to ensure that conversations about critical community issues can be conducted in a civil and equitable manner. OPL s facilitators, first of their kind offered through a public library to the community at no cost, are in high demand in Omaha. The Omaha Public Library Foundation and the Friends of the Omaha Public Library are two nonprofit groups that exist to enhance and strengthen the OPL s services and programs. As a result of the high level of community support and commitment of OPL, the library continues to offer a wide variety of exciting services like the Common Soil Seed Library and nationally recognized Speed Dating event. The Technology Incubator Library, Omaha s first digital library, is the latest, forward-thinking, collaborative partnership between OPL and the private sector. Number of Library Members 309,361 Volumes Held 1,270,202 FTE Staff Total Budget $14.2 million Items Borrowed 3,021,207 Library Visits 2,316,521 Website Visits 2,382,734 Number of Programs 7,462 Attendance at Programs 211,782 Summer Reading Club Participants 21,363 Computer Sessions 744,790 3

4 Technology Incubator Library Heritage Services has created Community Information Trust, an independent a 501(c)(3) organization which will partner with the Omaha Public Library but operate independently, to oversee the development and operation of a technology incubator library with public access to leading-edge technology, assistance and instruction. Occupying the first floor of a former bookstore, the technology incubator library, will serve as a space to test ideas and develop best practices in a creative environment before introducing them to a larger audience in Omaha libraries. On the second floor, Metro Community College will offer technology classes to the public. As Omaha grows, the technology incubator library will help the Omaha Public Library system determine how best to serve the community through both existing and new libraries. The facility will preserve the features that make public libraries strong community centers by serving diverse populations and providing a safe and comfortable setting for learning and the sharing of resources and information. It will have a flexible structure to develop its own procedures and management configuration. Initial setup costs and annual operating expenses for the first four years will be privately funded. A governing board will oversee the technology incubator library and include Heritage Services Directors. Once hired, the director of the technology incubator library will report to this board. The CIT governing board will create a national advisory council to bring together experts to foster new ideas and help evaluate programs and technology available through the technology incubator library. Still in development, with a planned opening in late fall 2015, the technology incubator library may feature production areas with access to printers and other shared services, a dedicated kids area with resources and services for children and their parents and caregivers, the latest in technology hardware and software and spaces for individual and group work. 4

5 The Ideal Director Innovator Proven track record of continuous improvement approaches and efforts including alternative service delivery initiatives Creates an environment where excellence and innovation can thrive Effectively leads and manages change Is forward thinking and has a positive track record in implementing appropriate leading edge technologies Is intellectually curious Collaborator Able to leverage both public and private resources including the use of volunteers Is able to work collaboratively and harmoniously with library staff, library board, and other key stakeholders to achieve the library s mission Works successfully with Heritage Services and the Community Information Trust to develop and support a technology incubator library for Omaha and the surrounding metropolitan area. Strategic Thinker Thinks strategically and makes sound decisions under pressure Is skilled in strategic planning and plan implementation Is a creative problem-solver Has a knowledge of current trends and best practices in libraries Communicator Provides timely, accurate, and relevant information on critical issues to elected officials, the library board, library staff, colleagues, and the public Is able to develop and communicate a shared vision of library services Is willing and able to be an effective, visible library spokesperson in the community Communicates openly, clearly, logically and concisely Has a sense of humor Relationship Builder Works closely with the donor community and Omaha Public Library Foundation Demonstrates cultural competence and has a history of responsiveness to community residents, library users and library staff Acts with a high level of integrity and develops relationships based on dependability and honesty Works successfully with local elected officials, department heads and other City employees Is customer service-oriented Is active in professional and civic organizations Manager Demonstrates outstanding management skills Makes wise and fair decisions based on solid facts Mentors staff and fosters a team environment Excels in developing, leading, and motivating staff Has a demonstrated record of effective fiscal management and budgetary planning Understands and uses effective measurement and evaluation methods 5

6 OPL Executive Director Under the leadership of the Board of Trustees, the Executive Director leads Omaha Public Library towards its strategic goals and vision. The Director works closely with elected officials in the City of Omaha and Douglas County, and with other city departments, divisions and outside agencies. The Executive Director is a community leader, and must exercise considerable initiative, independent judgment and political acumen to ensure that library services complement the needs and desires of community residents. Qualifications Qualifications include a MLS, or equivalent, from a program accredited by the American Library Association and a minimum of seven years of increasingly responsible library management experience. Highly qualified candidates will have: Proven experience in successful community stakeholder engagement, including with City political and administrative bodies, community organizations, support groups and community residents Excellent leadership, communication, conflict resolution and coaching skills. Other combinations of education and experience that provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities will be considered. Compensation & Benefits Salary is negotiable from $125,000 depending on the qualifications of the selected candidate. In addition, a generous benefits package will be provided which includes: 3.4 weeks of annual leave, increasing to 4.6 weeks after 5 years of service 13 paid holidays including a birthday holiday and a floating holiday Health and dental insurance, employee premium required 6

7 DIRECTOR SEARCH To Apply Library Strategies International LLC is assisting the Board with this recruitment. To be considered for this exciting career opportunity, please a letter of interest, your resume and three work-related references (who will not be contacted until mutual interest is established) to: June Garcia June@JuneGarcia.com Inquiries are welcome. Please contact June Garcia by or at or Susan Kent by or at Applications are open until the position is filled. First consideration will be given to candidates who apply by March 6, 2015.