LIBRARY DIRECTOR

La Porte City Public Library is seeking innovative, technology-savvy, and community-driven candidates for Library Director

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Position Title: Library Director

Position Type: Full-time (40 hrs/wk), non-exempt

Reports to: La Porte City Public Library Board of Trustees

Schedule: Monday-Friday with some Saturdays (scheduled flexibly)

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Position Overview

The library director provides overall leadership and administrative support for La Porte City Public Library, which serves an immediate city population of 2,300 residents and a rural population of 9,600 residents, with additional patronage from neighboring rural areas outside of Black Hawk County. The library director supervises and inspires a team of three regular, part-time employees.

 

The director champions library services, leads long-term planning, and is responsible for the overall operation of the library, including circulation, reference, technical, digital systems, acquisition, financial, programming, outreach, and maintenance services. The library director supports the library’s systems, enforces policies, and communicates library developments on a monthly and annual basis. The library director serves as the executive officer, Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) officer, payroll officer, technical advisor, and supervisor for all on- and off-site activities.

 

The library director reports directly to the Board of Trustees and serves as a liaison to the City Council, the city clerk, and other city departments of the City of La Porte City. The library director collaborates with the other six public libraries in Black Hawk County, the State Library of Iowa, and professional organizations, such as the Iowa Library Association (ILA) and the American Library Association (ALA). The library director supervises all staff members of the library and administers library finances, including management of city funds, state funds, county funds, and donations. Work is performed independently, and professional judgment is exercised daily. 

 

Essential Duties

• Responsibilities to the Board by acting as the technical advisor for policy recommendations, preparing agendas, and following meeting requirement using Robert’s Rules

• Prepares budgets, reports, and statistics summarizing the library’s progress toward goals and reports the progress to the board, city council, the State Library of Iowa, and to residents; ensures the library’s $150,000+ operational budget is used appropriately with oversight from the board

• Conduct library service through excellent customer service to patrons, reliable information retrieval, use of the library’s management systems, and by upholding library policies while promoting resources, programs, and services

• Offer technology support to both patrons and staff with use of the public computers, printers, copiers, and personal devices, including use of the library’s public and operational equipments, such as digital devices, security systems, online databases, and automated systems

• Creates programming and outreach initiatives with the library programs coordinator by implementing engaging, innovative activities and events inside and outside the library, including consistent communication through the library’s website, social media platforms, newsletter, and printed materials

• Catalog, classify, and manage metadata with the collections services librarian by creating records for materials in accordance with MARC standards of bibliography using the library’s integrated softwares; adhere to metadata standards to enhance interoperability and facilitate resource discovery, including selection, acquisition, processing, assessment, and deaccessioning of materials

• Serve as human resources by interviewing, hiring, training, supervising, and evaluating employees in accordance with the city’s Employee Handbook

• Offer reference and reader’s advisory by helping patrons find materials, information, and the resources they seek, including appointment-based support

• Maintain an culture of professional development and teamwork with a  willingness to learn and perform well in a fast-paced environment by completing online training, sustaining high levels of productivity, and maintaining strong professional judgment in accordance with the ALA Core Competencies of Librarianship

• Manage library records confidentiality and accurately according to library, city, and state practices following the record retention schedule for printed and born-digital records; ensure records are published in compliance with open records laws, the Fair Labor Standards Act, and the Freedom of Information Act

• Maintain the building and apparatuses through consistent care and collaboration with public works, city council, and outside vendors; record all maintenance with notes about estimated end-of-life dates for annual budget preparations; ensure public spaces are contemporary, well-lit, ADA-compliant, temperature-controlled, smoke-free, and welcoming

• Other duties are self-assigned and include negotiations with vendors, professional engagement with staff, appropriate public interactions, and the ability to maintain composure in stressful situations by serving as the person in charge for all emergencies and disasters

 

Minimum Qualifications

• MLS or MLIS from an ALA-accredited program (obtained within four years of employment); OR

• Library Certificate from an ALA-accredited program (obtained within two years of employment); OR

• Bachelor’s degree; hold a valid Driver’s License from the State of Iowa; State Library of Iowa Director Endorsement (obtained within one year of employment); AND at least five Fundamental Courses from ALA eLearning (completed within eighteen months of employment)

 

Other Requirements with or without accommodation 

• Ability to sit, stand, walk, bend, crouch, squat, kneel and climb stairs

• Ability to lift up to 35 pounds and push carts up to 50 pounds

• Ability to speak and hear fluent English in person and on the phone

• Ability to supervise staff and volunteers with appropriate responsibility delegation

• Ability to understand and work with complex technology systems, including office equipment, cloud computing, artificial intelligence tools, library management software, and security systems, for a variety of devices

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Compensation

• $20-23/hr (commensurate with qualifications)

• Participation in the Iowa Public Employees’ Retirement System (IPERS)

• Eligible for the Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program

• 80 hours of paid holiday leave

• 40 hours of paid casual leave

• 96 hours of sick leave (earned at a rate of eight hours each month)

• 80 hours of paid vacation leave (earned after one year of employment with two increases)

• ALA eLearning Course Reimbursement (maximum of five courses)

  • Off the clock: full reimbursement up to five courses (with proof of completion)

  • On the clock: no reimbursement and must provide proof of completion 

• Mileage Reimbursement (pursuant to the La Porte City Employee Manual)

• Insurance: health, dental, vision, life, and disability

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To Apply

• Submit a cover letter (addressed to the “Board of Trustees”), resume or CV, and a City of La Porte City Employment Application

  • Email director@lpcpubliclibrary.org

  • Deliver materials in-person at the circulation desk

  • Mail to La Porte City Public Library, 308 Main St., La Porte City, IA 50651

• Employment applications are available at the library or city hall

  • La Porte City Public Library: www.lpcpubliclibrary.org

  • City Hall: www.lpcia.com

 

Application Period

• Opened: April 21, 2026

• Priority Deadline: May 5, 2026

• Closes: open until filled

The City of La Porte City is an equal opportunity employer.