Morton Grove Public Library is hiring: Executive Director of the Morton Grove Pu

Overview

The Morton Grove Public Library is searching for its next leader. The MGPL Board of Trustees is looking for an Executive Director who will maintain the Library as a safe and welcoming place, someone who will help pass down the love of libraries from this generation of community members to the next, someone who will be the face of the Library, and build upon established connections.

The Executive Director reports to a 7-member, elected Board of Trustees. The Trustees know the Library and they appreciate the Staff because they are all active users. The Board of Trustees is proud of their committed Staff and they continue to support the good work that they do every single day. Their vision is to keep the current momentum going. The Trustees are looking for a leader who will actively serve their increasingly diverse community of 25,000 residents. Young families are moving into town and a multitude of languages are spoken in their homes.

The Library Board has a Strategic Plan that wraps-up in 2026; therefore, the incoming Executive Director will play a key role in developing near future goals. The healthy 2026 budget of $4,257,000 supports personnel, collections, programs, and facility maintenance. The Library employs 44 happy and dedicated employees who enjoy serving everybody that comes through the doors. The Staff believes in providing excellent customer service and appreciates that administration supports them in those efforts. In an ongoing effort to remove barriers, MGPL went fine-free and never looked back.

The Morton Grove Public Library actually began as a volunteer organization over 80 years ago, and volunteers are still a vital part of daily operations. Morton Grove is a close-knit, diverse community that has a small town feel though it is just 15-miles northwest of downtown Chicago. The North Branch of the Chicago River and a large swath of Cook County Forest Preserve cut through town allowing residents a chance to enjoy nature and the quiet of these green spaces. The Library is located in a residential neighborhood that allows for many patrons to visit on foot and for employees to make rounds on the Library's very own Book Bike. There are five study rooms and a small theater space that is popular with local civic groups. Other offerings, like passport services and license plate renewals, bring residents into the building and make life more convenient. The Library is a member of the Cooperative Computer Services consortium made-up of 32 libraries, providing an expansive database for improved resource sharing.

This is a full-time, exempt position with an annual salary offer of $125,000 - $130,000, based on qualifications and experiences. The Library offers a generous benefits package including participation in the much sought after Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Library and maintain a safe and welcoming place; help pass down the love of libraries from this generation to the next; be the face of the Library and build upon established connections.
• Report to a 7-member, elected Board of Trustees and collaborate with leadership and staff to advance the Library’s mission.
• Support staff and administration in delivering excellent customer service and removing barriers for patrons.
• Contribute to developing near-term goals aligned with the Board’s Strategic Plan ending in 2026 and manage related initiatives.
• Participate in budget oversight and operations to sustain personnel, collections, programs, and facility maintenance.
• Support fine-free policy and ongoing efforts to remove barriers to access.

Qualifications

• Minimum qualifications: Master’s Degree in Library Science from an ALA-accredited program; 5 years of related work; 3 years of supervisory experience.
• Strong interpersonal skills, experience promoting services to stakeholders, awareness of municipal fiscal matters, and strong leadership capabilities.

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