Mackenzie Eason & Associates is hiring: Library Director in Irving

Library Director

The City of Irving is seeking a new Library Director to lead the award-winning, nationally recognized home of the North Texas Teen Book Festival at the Irving Public Library. Candidates should be skilled in community engagement, and have experience in leading library operations and management. The city seeks a technology-savvy Library Director that prioritizes community input and accessibility tools with 21st century services. The new Irving Public Library Director will effectively lead their team and collaborate with the Library Advisory Board to help shape the future of library services in one of the region's most dynamic communities. The next Director will lead the development of a new five-year strategic plan and initiate long-term planning for a fourth library branch.

The Irving Public Library serves as both an essential educational resource and a vibrant community hub, providing access to information that supports lifelong learning, fostering a love of reading, and creating welcoming spaces where residents of all ages can connect, learn, and grow. The department operates with an $8.2 million budget across three branches and an administrative team supported by 108 team members, including 64 full-time and 44 part-time employees. The system serves more than 35,000 active library users, circulates approximately 1.3 million materials annually, and maintains a collection of more than 530,000 materials.

The duties of the Library Director are written into the City's Code of Ordinances and serves as the administrative leader of the library system under the direction of the City Manager. The City is looking for a Director who will be active and present with staff and branches, informed about programming and daily operations, and engaged in collection development decisions at the appropriate level. The next Director will be expected to further enhance internal confidence, strengthen alignment with community partners, and position the library to continue meeting rising demand for services, materials and programming in a sustainable and responsive way.

Key Priorities and Leadership Agenda In their first phase of service, the next Library Director will be expected to focus on several critical priorities:

• Finalize and operationalize any remaining revisions to the Collection Development Policy and Reconsideration of Materials Policy, and the review process for challenged materials.
• Conduct an internal assessment of operations, service delivery and organizational effectiveness across all branches and administrative functions.
• Work collaboratively with staff to identify and prioritize opportunities for operational improvement, and develop a clear work plan to implement those enhancements.
• In partnership with the Library Advisory Board, City Council, and executive leadership, strengthen alignment around the Advisory Board's role, expectations, and focus to support effective collaboration and shared success.
• Lead development and adoption of a new five-year Library Strategic Plan that reflects staff input, community priorities, operational needs and future planning for an eventual fourth branch.
• Strengthen internal cohesion and reinforce a culture of professionalism, resilience and service excellence.

The ideal candidate will bring a strong foundation in library operations and library science, complemented by the ability to lead effectively in a visible and politically nuanced environment. This person must understand programming, branch operations, exceptional service delivery, collections, and administrative functions while also knowing how to step back, set direction and lead at the organizational level. This leader will demonstrate resilience, composure and strong professional grounding. They will navigate sensitive issues with focus and sound judgment, maintaining momentum and delivering results in high-pressure situations.

The City of Irving is guided by the values of Professionalism, Resilience, Innovation, Dependability and Ethics. The next Library Director should embody those values in both leadership style and day-to-day decision-making. The strongest cultural fit will be someone who demonstrates initiative and independent drive, exercises sound judgment about when to seek guidance, remains composed in difficult circumstances and navigates politically sensitive matters with professionalism.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide strategic leadership and long-term direction for the Irving Public Library system, aligning departmental priorities with the City's mission, vision and service expectations.
• Lead the development and execution of a new, five-year Library Strategic Plan that establishes priorities for the department, strengthens operations and positions the system for future growth, including planning parameters for a fourth branch.
• Establish plans for service delivery, branch operations, programming, collections and administrative functions that reflect both community needs and City leadership expectations.
• Oversee all aspects of library operations across three branches and administrative functions, ensuring high-quality, responsive and community-centered service delivery.
• Direct the development of departmental work plans, goals, policies, procedures, and performance standards while monitoring workflow, evaluating outcomes, and improving operational effectiveness.
• Maintain strong working knowledge of programming, collection development, and day-to-day branch operations without losing sight of broader strategic and executive responsibilities.
• Develop, administer, and oversee the department's operating budget, revenue accounts, grants and bond funds, ensuring sound fiscal stewardship and alignment of resources with strategic priorities.
• Forecast future budget needs, monitor expenditures and implement adjustments as needed to support service levels, operational sustainability and long-term system planning.
• Help balance rising demand for materials, digital resources and programming with finite staffing and financial resources.
• Work effectively with the Library Advisory Board, City Council, and executive leadership to clarify roles, support sound governance and advance library priorities.
• Finalize and operationalize policy direction related to collection development and reconsideration of materials.
• Prepare reports, presentations, and decision-ready materials that support clear communication and well-informed policy discussions.
• Provide direction, support and leadership to library staff in fulfilling the library's mission while fostering a culture of professionalism, resilience, accountability and service excellence.
• Oversee recruitment, selection, training, development, counseling and performance evaluation for a large and diverse team.
• Empower staff and strengthen team cohesion while maintaining visibility into operational needs and organizational performance.
• Serve as a visible and credible representative of the library system with patrons, community groups, partner organizations and professional associations.
• Coordinate with other City departments, outside agencies, the Friends of the Irving Public Library and relevant state and national library organizations to advance service delivery and strategic goals.
• Support public engagement and communication efforts that build trust, promote library services and reinforce the library's role as a cultural and educational anchor for the community.

QUALIFICATIONS Required

• Master's degree in Library Science, Library Information Studies, Public Administration or a related field.
• At least seven years of library experience, including five years of supervisory experience.
• Valid state-issued driver's license, or the ability to obtain one upon hire.
• Strong knowledge of library systems, standards, and practices, including integrated library systems, print and electronic resources, accreditation requirements, and copyright and censorship issues.
• Demonstrated experience in administration, organizational planning, budgeting, personnel management and service delivery within a public-facing organization.
• Ability to communicate effectively in writing and verbally, present to governing bodies and community groups and exercise sound judgment in stressful or sensitive circumstances.

Preferred

• Experience leading in a municipal library or similarly complex public-sector environment with significant public visibility.
• Strong working knowledge of programming and day-to-day operations across multiple branches and administrative functions.
• Familiarity with the evolving legal and policy landscape affecting Texas public libraries, including recent issues related to collection development authority, challenged materials and protections for minors.
• A collaborative, servant-minded leadership style with the ability to empower staff, build internal partnerships and work effectively across City departments.
• Experience developing strategic plans, guiding organizational change and positioning public-facing departments for long-term growth and community impact.