DLA

State Librarian

STATE LIBRARIAN – STATE LIBRARY OF OREGON

The State of Oregon (SLO) has an opportunity for a leader with passion and vision to serve as the next State Librarian. In a constantly changing landscape, this leader strives to ensure that all Oregonians have the information they need to be engaged citizens and to build strong communities and a prosperous state.  The State Library is an independent state agency governed by a nine-member State Library Board appointed by the Governor. The State Library consists of four divisions: Government Information & Library Services, Library Support & Development Services, Talking Book & Braille Library and Operations, operating on a biennial budget of approximately $17 million with 38.47 FTE. The State Library has one of the best volunteer programs in state government made up of talented individuals that donate their time to help assist us to achieve the mission and goals of the agency. The State Librarian acts as the appointing authority to direct all activities of the State Library by setting, evaluating and administering policy, program priorities, and the use of resources as determined by the State Library Board. The State Librarian provides vision and support to the approximately 1,650 public, school, community college, university, special, and tribal libraries in Oregon and to the State Library staff. Appointed by the Governor and subject to Senate confirmation, the State Librarian represents the Agency in its work with the Governor’s Office. This position is high profile—working with Oregon constituents to provide support and assistance to local libraries and consortia and to expand programs to improve outcomes for children, families, and communities. It plays a major role in several regional and national organizations including those involved in legislation, funding, policymaking, and library standards.

Salem is a growing and diverse city with a population of over 168,000 and serves as the capital city of Oregon.  It is a city devoted to historic preservation, commercial development, and planned growth, all while maintaining a small-town feel.  Salem has many beautiful parks and landmarks, historic neighborhoods, and is a short drive from Portland, the ocean, and the Cascade Mountains.  The City offers an excellent educational system for its students and there are multiple options nearby for higher education, including Williamette University, Chemeketa Community College, and Corban University.  Salem celebrates many cultures and events throughout the year, including the Salem Art Fair and Festival, sponsored by the Salem Art Association, and the World Beat Festival, which is a two-day festival featuring food, dance, music and arts from every continent sponsored by the Salem Multicultural Institute.  The many breweries, wineries, distilleries and restaurants in the area provide an array of dining options to enjoy. 

Responsibilities: Serve as the Agency Director and Chief Administrative Officer that provides guidance and assistance to the Library Management Team and represents the Library in dealings with the heads of other state and local agencies and organizations and the Legislative Assembly. The State Librarian directs the Library staff to meet the mission of the agency as contained in the Oregon Revised Statutes and the strategic plan and biennial goals adopted by the State Library Board.    

Minimum qualifications are a Master’s degree in Library or Information Science from an ALA-accredited program or the equivalent in training and experience as required by ORS 357 and six years of library management experience, including a) rule and policy development, b) strategic planning, c) budgeting, and d) program evaluation. The successful candidate will lead and inspire a committed team, promoting excellence in service and demonstrating experience in working with elected and appointed officials; possessing knowledge of library trends, issues, and best practices; managing multiple funding streams, and managing personnel. Key traits include strong collaboration skills, proven advocacy skills, and the ability to communicate eloquently the purpose, goals, outcomes, and benefits served and provided by libraries to diverse communities, stakeholder groups, and key policymakers.  Applicants must clearly describe your experience in each of the a) b) c) and d) areas listed in the ‘work history’ section of your application documentation- failure to provide this information may result in eliminating your application from further consideration.

Compensation.  The salary range is $99,936 – $154,584 (with placement negotiable, dependent upon experience and qualifications) and an excellent fringe benefits package.

Special Information: Candidates must also create a Workday account and apply through the State of Oregon hiring system here:  REQ-67423 To receive Veterans’ Preference Points, please ensure to complete the tasks in Workday during the application process and upload your documents (DD214 / Disability). For questions about documentation, please visit: Veterans Resources, or call the Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs at: 1-800-692-9666.

For more information, contact Bradbury Miller Associates. To start the application process, send a cover letter and resume as Word or PDF attachments to Karen Miller karenmiller AT bradburymiller.com on or before the closing date of September 19, 2021.

View the announcement in its entirety along with accompanying links and information at https://bradburymiller.com/job/slo/. 

Posted: 8/10/21