DEPUTY DIRECTOR - NEW ORLEANS PUBLIC LIBRARY (NOPL)
The Opportunity:
This may well be the most exciting--and potentially fulfilling--career opportunity
available at this level in any public library in America today!

As it rebuilds for the 21st century, following the devastation resulting from Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath, the New Orleans Public Library is embarking on an ambitious revitalization effort to maximize its service and program offerings to the diverse residents of one of America's most unique, historic, fabled and resurgent communities. As part of this process, the Library is seeking an experienced, dynamic and committed professional to play a leading role in helping to achieve the Board of the New Orleans Public Library’s goal of creating the “model urban public library for the 21st century.”

The Applicant:
The successful applicant for this position should be a progressive, collaborative and innovative team builder, who is an experienced, dynamic and committed professional well aware of current and emerging trends and best practices in public library services.
The Situation:
Five (5) new replacement branch libraries will open during 2012 (ranging in size up to over 28,000 square feet), joining eight other branch locations and a Main Library in providing service to the residents of this rebounding city. In addition, planning will begin soon on a sixth state-of-the-art replacement branch (slated to open in late 2013) that the new Deputy Director will play a key role in planning as well as active involvement in evaluating the future housing, etc. of the Library’s extensive archival holdings, which document much of this almost 300-year-old city’s history.

Widely known as a tourist and convention mecca, the City of New Orleans is also emerging as a hub for entrepreneurship, a major regional medical and bioscience center (with almost $3 billion worth of related construction currently underway in the heart of the city) and becoming known as “Hollywood South” due to the growing number of major motion pictures and television shows that are filmed here. NOPL enjoys the opportunity to service an extremely broad range of residents. They range from a high percentage of individuals with limited literacy and English-language proficiency skills to highly literate residents (the City is home to an impressive number of published writers and independent booksellers) and a creative/technically savvy population—including many young people who continue to migrate to the "Crescent City" to be part of its laid-back lifestyle and to take advantage of the one-of-a-kind sights, sounds, cuisine and traditions (including almost weekly festivals, celebrating everything imaginable) offered by the "Big Easy." Among the many positive and unique aspects of this position will be the ability to work, in conjunction with staff, to design and implement services and programs to serve this rich array of current and potential library users.

   
Duties:
  • Overall responsibility for the Library’s Public and Technical services operations.

  • Creation of a cohesive public service structure--involving development of an overarching, consistent and customer-focused approach for both branch and Main Library services and operations.

  • Oversight of technical services operations to ensure maximum efficiency and timeliness, adherence to best practices, and responsiveness to the ever-changing and expanding array of formats available to and expected by today's public library users.

  • Development of collaborative methods for collection development.

  • Encouragement and support of a work environment that fosters initiative, risk-taking and innovation.

  • Ensure the successful resolution of conflicts with library users, the general public and staff in a consistent and effective manner.

  • Represent the Library at community events, meetings, conferences, etc.
Requirements:
  • Knowledge of established principles, practices, and methods of library science and administration specializing in a variety of disciplines
  • Ability to plan, direct and organize activities of multiple library branch locations
  • 5- 7 years of library management experience with evidence of progressive responsibility and interdisciplinary approaches to problem-solving and decision-making
  • Enthusiasm for innovation and creativity
  • Highly adaptable and flexible
  • Ability to motivate, develop, train and direct staff in a collaborative team environment
  • Ability to establish and maintain positive, safe, effective working relationships
  • Experience in working with diverse communities and staff
  • Strong interpersonal skills to inspire excellence in a diverse staff
  • Ability to understand and apply highly complex policies and procedures
  • Strong communications, presentation, writing, & listening skills
  • Knowledge of and experience with implementing and evaluating library services such as reference, programming, outreach, library operations, automated library technologies, readers’ advisory and collection management
  • Knowledge of computing, online databases and office productivity software
  • Strong time management and organization skills
  • Possesses a flexible and collaborative work style
  • Ability to deal with diverse elements simultaneously
Education:
A Master’s degree in Library Science from an ALA accredited institution and 5 – 7 years of varied and increasing leadership roles, preferably in an urban or large suburban public library setting.
Compensation:
Salary range: $76,000 to $119,000, negotiable depending on background and experience.

Link here for the NOPL job description


Note:   The review of applications will begin on February 17, 2012.

Applications and inquiries should be directed to:

Linda Copeland, Human Resources Director
New Orleans Public Library
219 Loyola Avenue
New Orleans, Louisiana 70112
504-596-2607
lcopeland@neworleanspubliclibrary.org

   

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