The City of La Vergne is seeking an experienced, forward-thinking Library Director to lead our public library into its next chapter. This is an opportunity for a proven library professional who understands that a great library is more than a collection of books. It's a place where people connect, ideas grow, and a community comes together.

As Library Director, you'll lead a dedicated team, shape innovative programs and services, manage resources responsibly, and build meaningful partnerships throughout our community. Working collaboratively with the Library Board and City leadership, you'll help ensure our library remains a welcoming, relevant, and valued resource for generations to come.

We offer stability, opportunity, and benefits that truly set the City of La Vergne apart:
• 100% Paid Insurance for You and Your Family: Including health, dental, vision, life, disability, and LASIK coverage.
• Secure Retirement: 401(a) with a 4.5% City contribution, plus a 457 plan with matching contributions up to 3.5%, with immediate vesting.
• Generous Paid Time Off: Vacation, sick leave, personal days, 12 holidays, and your birthday off.
• Longevity Pay & Professional Growth: Annual service bonuses and support for continuing education, professional certifications, and leadership development.
• A Culture of Service: A supportive municipal organization that values integrity, collaboration, innovation, and employee well-being.

Job Summary
The Library Director serves as the chief administrative and operational leader of the City of La Vergne Public Library, a municipally supported, single-location public library. Under the governance and direction of the City of La Vergne Library Board, the Director works collaboratively with the City Administrator, City departments, community organizations, educational institutions, and other stakeholders. The Director provides strategic leadership, professional library administration, financial stewardship, personnel management, and oversight of all library operations, programs, collections, facilities, and services.

The Director develops and implements short- and long-range strategic plans, establishes measurable operational goals, and ensures library services respond effectively to the community's evolving needs. The Library Director is expected to demonstrate sound professional judgment, ethical leadership, accountability, innovation, and a commitment to exceptional public service.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP AND STRATEGIC ADMINISTRATION
• Provides strategic, administrative, and operational leadership for the City of La Vergne Public Library, establishing a clear vision aligned with the Library's mission, community needs, and Library Board priorities.
• Develops and implements short- and long-range strategic plans, measurable goals, policies, and operational standards, subject to applicable Library Board approval.
• Evaluates organizational performance, emerging library trends, community needs, and service outcomes to guide decision-making and continuous improvement.
• Exercises sound professional judgment, promotes organizational accountability, and leads initiatives that strengthen the quality and effectiveness of library services.
GOVERNANCE, POLICY, AND MUNICIPAL COORDINATION
• Serves under the oversight of the Library Board, implements approved policies and directives, and serves as its principal professional advisor.
• Attends Library Board meetings and provides financial, operational, strategic, and performance reports and recommendations to support effective governance.
• Coordinates routine administrative and operational matters with the City Administrator under a support and collaboration mentality, and with City departments as appropriate.
• Ensures compliance with applicable laws, regulations, professional standards, and the City of La Vergne Employee Handbook as adopted by the Library Board, including applicable public records, privacy, and retention requirements.
PERSONNEL LEADERSHIP AND ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
• Directs and evaluates library personnel, establishing clear expectations for performance, accountability, professional conduct, and customer service.
• Oversees staffing, recruitment, employee development, performance management, and succession planning in accordance with established personnel policies and Library Board authority.
• Addresses employee relations matters, workplace concerns, and performance issues with support from City Human Resources as appropriate.
• Fosters a professional, collaborative, and service-oriented workplace culture that encourages communication, employee engagement, innovation, and continuous improvement.
FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT AND RESOURCE STEWARDSHIP
• Develops, recommends, and administers annual operating and capital budgets in coordination with the Library Board, appropriate City officials, and the Board of Mayor and Alderman.
• Monitors expenditures, purchasing, financial performance, and resource allocation to ensure responsible stewardship of public funds and organizational resources.
• Identifies and pursues appropriate grants, donations, sponsorships, and other funding opportunities and oversees their administration in accordance with applicable requirements.
• Evaluates financial and operational needs and recommends resource investments, cost improvements, and long-term funding priorities.
LIBRARY OPERATIONS, COLLECTIONS, AND TECHNOLOGY
• Directs daily library operations, ensuring efficient, accessible, and responsive public services, including circulation, reference services, and resource sharing.
• Oversees the development, management, and evaluation of physical and digital collections in accordance with approved policies and applicable law.
• Directs the effective use and improvement of library management systems, digital resources, technology, and related services.
• Oversees facility operations, space utilization, equipment, maintenance coordination, and long-range facility needs in collaboration with appropriate City departments.
• Establishes and maintains operational procedures supporting patron privacy, customer service, facility safety, security, and emergency preparedness.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, PROGRAMS, AND PUBLIC RELATIONS
• Serves as the Library's principal community representative and advocate, building productive relationships with schools, businesses, civic organizations, and community partners.
• Directs the planning, implementation, and evaluation of library programs, literacy initiatives, outreach activities, and educational services responsive to community needs.
• Assesses community demographics, patron feedback, and participation trends to identify opportunities for improved or expanded library services.
• Promotes library resources and programs through community engagement, professional activities, and coordination with City communications personnel.
• Responds professionally to significant patron concerns, sensitive public issues, and other matters requiring executive judgment.
• Performs other related duties assigned by the appropriate governing authority.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required Qualifications
• Master’s degree in library science (MLS) or Library and Information Science (MLIS) from a graduate program accredited by the American Library Association (ALA).
• A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible professional library experience, preferably in a public library environment.
• A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible supervisory, managerial, or administrative leadership experience, including responsibility for personnel supervision, performance management, and operational decision-making.
• Demonstrated experience in library administration, personnel management, budgeting, strategic planning, collection development, library technology, public services, and community engagement.
• Certified Public Library Administrator (CPLA) or another recognized professional library management credential or the ability to obtain it within two (2) years of hire date.
• Ability to attend evening or weekend meetings, library programs, and community events as necessary.
• Ability to travel for professional meetings, training, and other job-related activities.
• Ability to meet applicable employment requirements established by the City and Library Board.
• Must possess a valid Tennessee Driver’s License or be able to obtain one in a reasonable period.

Preferred Qualifications
• Previous experience serving as a Library Director, Assistant Library Director, Library Administrator, or comparable senior library management position.
• Experience working in a municipally operated public library or other public-sector organization.
• Additional graduate education in Public Administration, Business Administration, Organizational Leadership, or a related discipline.
• Demonstrated success in grant administration, strategic planning, organizational development, and community partnership development.

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, AND ABILITIES

• Comprehensive knowledge of modern public library administration, professional practices, collection development, technology, and service delivery.
• Thorough knowledge of organizational leadership, personnel management, employee development, and performance accountability.
• Knowledge of municipal government operations, public administration, budgeting, financial management, and resource stewardship.
• Knowledge of applicable federal and Tennessee laws governing library operations, patron privacy, public records, and employment practices.
• Ability to develop and implement strategic plans, establish measurable goals, analyze operational data, and improve organizational performance.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment, resolve complex problems, manage competing priorities, and lead organizational change.
• Ability to communicate effectively and establish productive relationships with the Library Board, City leadership, employees, patrons, and community organizations.
• Ability to demonstrate professional integrity, maintain appropriate confidentiality, foster teamwork, and promote a respectful, accountable, and service-oriented workplace.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described are representative of those required to perform the essential functions of this position. The Library Director primarily performs professional, administrative, and supervisory work in an office and public library environment. The position regularly requires sitting, standing, walking, communicating, using computers and office equipment, reviewing documents, and interacting with employees and the public. The position may occasionally require lifting, carrying, or moving materials weighing up to 25 pounds.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Library Setting: Work is primarily performed within a public library environment and involves administrative responsibilities, operational oversight, and regular interaction with employees, patrons, and community stakeholders.

Leadership and Strategic Planning: The position requires independent judgment, executive decision-making, organizational planning, and accountability for library operations, personnel, and resources.

Collaborative Stakeholder Engagement: Regular interaction with the Library Board, City Administrator, City departments, community organizations, and the public requires effective communication, professionalism, and relationship management.

Program Development and Management: The Director oversees library programs and services in a dynamic public service environment, responding to changing community needs, organizational priorities, and available resources.

Facility and Collection Oversight: Responsibilities include regular movement throughout the library, assessing facility conditions, and overseeing physical and digital resources to maintain a safe, accessible environment.

High-Stress Situations: The position may involve sensitive personnel matters, budgetary constraints, patron concerns, and competing priorities requiring discretion, sound judgment, and effective decision-making.

Flexible Schedule: This is an on-site position and is not designated for remote work. Evening and weekend hours may be required for Library Board meetings, special programs, community events, and other professional responsibilities.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

THE CITY OF LA VERGNE IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER AND DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE ON THE BASIS OF RACE, SEX, COLOR, RELIGION, NATIONAL ORIGIN, AGE, DISABILITY, OR VETERAN STATUS IN EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES.