City of Laredo is hiring: Library Director, (B253510-2), 217, Main Branch in Lar

Overview

The City of Laredo is seeking an experienced, visionary, and service-driven Library Director to lead one of South Texas's most vital cultural and educational institutions. Serving a vibrant and diverse population of over 250,000 residents, the Laredo Public Library system advances literacy, digital inclusion, and lifelong learning across all ages. This is a unique opportunity for a proven library executive to shape the future of public information access, civic engagement, and community empowerment in a fast-growing border city rich in heritage and opportunity.

The Laredo Public Library System operates multiple full-service branches, including the 60,000-square-foot Main Library. With over 48 staff members, 11 of whom are professional librarians, the library system offers robust programming, technology access, bilingual services, digital resources, and specialized community outreach initiatives. The Library is a cornerstone of the City's educational and cultural infrastructure, with strong community partnerships and a forward-looking approach to service delivery.

The Library Director provides strategic leadership and administrative oversight for the City of Laredo's public library system. This position is responsible for planning, directing, coordinating, and evaluating the daily operations, programs, and services across all library branches to ensure alignment with the City\'s mission, departmental goals, and community need. The Director ensures full compliance with applicable policies, standards, and regulations; leads the development and management of operating budgets, capital projects, grant initiatives, and funding proposals; and fosters inclusive access to library resources through effective service planning and resource allocation.

In addition, the Director serves as the public face of the library system, actively engaging with community stakeholders, advocacy groups, and partner organizations to strengthen civic and educational impact. The role requires a collaborative and forward-thinking leader who can represent the library\'s vision with professionalism and credibility, promote innovation in library services, and cultivate a welcoming, informed, and literate community.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by employees in this job. Employees may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.

• Provide leadership and direction in the development of short and long-range library plans; develop, implement and enforce City and departmental goals and objectives; monitor day-to-day activities to ensure accomplishment of the same.
• Ensure smooth day-to-day operation of the library system; plan, direct, coordinate and monitor operations and activities of all library facilities.
• Plan, schedule and assign work; instruct and train employees in proper methods and procedures; check and approve work in progress and upon completion; study and standardize procedures to improve efficiency; supervise 48 staff members (including 11 professional librarians).
• Plan and develop the library budget; monitor revenues and expenditures; ensure fiscal control; perform cost control activities; prepare quarterly financial reports; assist in developing requests for proposals when needed.
• Plan, develop, monitor and evaluate programming and services to meet the community\'s needs and library goals and objectives annually.
• Develop and monitor policies, procedures and systems for circulation, cataloging, acquisitions, children\'s services, youth services, adult services and reference services.
• Develop, execute and monitor library promotional initiatives; promote interest in library programs through publicity, program brochures, cooperation with community groups, and public contacts; prepare or review promotional materials.
• Gather, interpret, and prepare data for studies, reports and recommendations; coordinate department activities with other departments and agencies as needed.
• Prepare or review grant applications in support of library development and operations.
• Develop and present Council communications, requests for proposals and grant applications.
• Recruit, screen and interview applicants; make hiring and firing recommendations; conduct performance evaluations and recommend salary adjustments as needed.
• Prepare reports to the Texas State Library and South Texas Library Systems; ensure accuracy and timeliness.
• Ensure library meets minimum standards for accreditation in the Texas State Library System annually and adheres to Joint Taskforce and Texas Library Association standards.
• Oversee procurement, ensure book and item purchases support effective collection development, and review collections.
• Communicate with library support groups and partner organizations; build and maintain effective working relationships.
• Travel to workshops and seminars for continuing education and operational purposes as required by accreditation standards.
• Maintain communication between staff, visitors, and other contacts; resolve grievances and maintain harmony.
• Supervise maintenance of library facilities and equipment; coordinate maintenance and repairs.
• Participate in community activities; build relationships and project a positive image of the library system.
• Enforce library policies related to patron conduct; initiate appropriate actions to resolve problems.
• Monitor City of Laredo Libraries; supervise personnel, approve expenditures, and analyze statistics.
• Prepare book orders and ensure purchases support effective collection development.
• Plan and implement an integrated Library Automation System.
• Enforce laws and regulations pertaining to Freedom of Information and Privacy Acts.
• Will be required to drive a City vehicle for City business use.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Competencies for Successful Performance of Job Duties

Knowledge of

• Principles and practices of library operations, administration, management, ethics, and public/technical service procedures.
• Practices and concepts of librarianship and information science.
• Budget preparation and general accounting skills.
• Personnel and organizational management principles and practices.
• Principles and practices of library programming.
• Laws and regulations pertaining to FOIA, Privacy Acts, and LSTA.
• Creative public relations techniques and projecting a positive image of the library system.
• Computer theory, library automation, MARC cataloging formats, and database searching/analytics.

Skills and Abilities

• Interpret and enforce laws, policies, and procedures pertaining to library administration.
• Conduct reference interviews and retrieve information quickly.
• Communicate effectively in English and Spanish, both orally and in writing.
• Prepare and maintain accurate reports and records.
• Prepare and monitor a budget and ensure compliance with limitations.
• Establish and maintain professional working relationships; project a positive image of the City of Laredo.
• Deal with staff and the public tactfully and courteously.
• Maintain good planning and organizational skills; supervise effectively.
• Multitask under interruption and change; grasp abstract concepts and apply to library operations.
• Use computer hardware and software, including word processing and spreadsheets.
• Maintain valid Texas Driver License and good driving record.
• Maintain harmonious and effective working relationships with staff.
• Compliance with City of Laredo policies and procedures.
• Maintain good health and physical condition to perform duties.
• Ability to perform other duties as assigned; strong service orientation and team-building in a diverse environment.

Work Environment/Conditions and Physical Demands

Physical Effort Requirements Position will have the following exposures

• Office or similar indoor environment with minimal hazards.
• Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally; mostly sedentary work.

Work Environment Locations Position requirements by environment

• Never: Street near moving traffic; Construction site
• Sometimes: Outdoor environment; Confined space; Vehicles; Warehouse
• Often: Office or indoor environment

Exposures Position will require exposure to environmental elements

• Never: Extreme cold, moving parts, fumes, toxins, loud noises
• Seldom: Extreme heat, communicable diseases
• Sometimes: Hostile or irate individuals; individuals with violent backgrounds

Travel Position will require travel

• Never: International travel
• Seldom: Regional or national travel
• Frequently: Local travel

Required Education and Experience

• Master\'s Degree in Library Science from an ALA-accredited program
• At least seven (7) years of progressively responsible library experience
• At least three (3) years of experience as a Library Manager

Required Licenses or Certifications

• Valid Texas Driver License (out-of-state license holders must obtain Texas license within 6 months of employment).

As part of the minimum requirements for all positions with the City of Laredo, a thorough background check and certified school transcripts will be required for all applicants offered employment. Effective February 24, 1997, all selected applicants are required to undergo a drug and alcohol test prior to employment. Effective January 7, 2008, all persons in safety-sensitive functions shall be subject to random drug and alcohol testing. A disability accommodation request should be directed to the Human Resources Department at (956) 791-7480 two days prior to the scheduled interview or test, if applicable.

Equal Opportunity City of Laredo is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Pro Disabled and Veteran Employer. We welcome differences in gender, race, ethnicity, disability, geography, socioeconomic status, age, politics, religion, philosophy, sexual orientation, or gender identity. All applicants who share this goal are encouraged to apply.