Library Director

Description

The Town of Cochrane – The Community

Cochrane is a vibrant, progressive, family-friendly community located just 35 minutes northwest of downtown Calgary. The Town is nestled in the legendary Bow River valley steeped in First Nations and pioneer lore, boasting a breathtaking view of the majestic Rocky Mountains, only 45 minutes away. Although much has changed since the days of the original CP Rail Station, stone quarry and brick plants, the entrepreneurial spirit and handshake hospitality of Cochrane remains true to its western heritage.

Cochrane is one of the fastest-growing communities in Canada, and with a population of 37,000, it is one of the largest towns in Alberta. It is part of Calgary’s metropolitan area and a member community of the Calgary Metropolitan Region Board (CMRB). The town is surrounded by Rocky View County, with a population of over 42,000.

Cochrane Public Library

www.cochranepubliclibrary.ca

Cochrane Public Library is a thriving public library and cultural space that contributes to the well-being and vibrancy of the community. Services, partnerships, programs, and events bring people together and provide information that supports literacy, ideas, and opportunities for discovery. Participating in the Marigold Library System, the library is a single point of access to millions of movies, books, online resources, unique lending libraries, events, and more.

As the community continues to grow and serve diverse users, the library strives to be the community leader, providing innovative services. The library is evolving into a central community hub and gathering place, increasing use and access to resources and transforming and solidifying Cochrane Public Library’s impact on the community. With a committed and engaged Board and stable revenue support from the Town, Cochrane Public Library is positioned to grow into a new space over the next five to seven years, anticipating 2025 funding approval for a Facility Needs Assessment and preliminary design for a new facility by 2026.

Mission & Philosophy

• Support | Inspire | Innovate | Educate

Values

We Are Supportive

Cochrane Public Library strives to be a great place to work, a great place to visit and a great place to get informed.

We Promote Creativity

We believe in freedom of expression in all forms and create programs, activities and access to a world of inspiration and creative freedom.

We Are Innovative

We embrace new ideas and technologies in order to provide access to new ways of thinking, interacting and personal growth.

We Are Inclusive

We strive to reflect the diversity of our community and endeavour to provide a safe space for all.

We Foster Connection

We assist people and organizations in forming relationships that help to create a supportive and engaged community.

We Are a Great Place to Work

We provide a positive work environment that respects each staff member’s unique contributions. Our talented, well trained, knowledgeable staff are a vital part of the cultural, social, business/entrepreneurial, and educational life of the community. We offer opportunities for professional growth.

The Role | Library Director

The Town of Cochrane and its Library Board are seeking a dynamic, collaborative, innovative library executive to lead its public library. This position is responsible for providing public library services, providing excellent customer service, coordinating a future facility expansion and move, and enhancing the library’s positive profile within the community.

Reporting to the Board and taking direction from the Board Chair, the Library Director will lead a team of approximately 24 staff, including four (4) direct reports. The Library Director reports to and takes direction from the Town of Cochrane Library Board through the Board Chair. The Board hires the Library Director, and the Personnel Committee of Cochrane Library Board conducts an annual performance review. The Library Director’s compensation, duties, and working conditions are specified in an Agreement between the Town of Cochrane Library Board and the Library Director and stated in the Library Director Handbook.

Key Accountabilities

• Leads in identifying and implementing public library services to attain Cochrane Public Library strategic goals and outcomes as well as long-term sustainability.
• Plans, presents and implements policies, standards, procedures and practices relating to the delivery of public library system services in the Town of Cochrane. Sets measurable standards and targets and ensures service quality standards are maintained and consistently delivered.
• Develops and implements accurate financial control procedures for system revenue and expenditures.
• Negotiates, manages and oversees service contracts and vendor negotiations for the Cochrane Public Library.
• Reports to the Town of Cochrane Library Board on all aspects of Cochrane Public Library operations including emerging issues and trends; strategic plan progress; financial matters and members, partner and stakeholder relations.
• Ensures appropriate communication processes are in place to provide accurate and timely information to the Town of Cochrane Library Board, Cochrane Public Library staff, and the Marigold Region.
• Provides leadership and oversight of the development of Cochrane Public Library staff and maintains a viable succession framework.
• Expands the understanding of the Cochrane Public Library’s value to stakeholders, including municipal councils, local library boards, TRAC, community organizations and library organizations.
• Contributes to the development of public library service by participating in provincial and national organizations and initiatives.

Skills and Abilities

The Library Director will possess the following skills and abilities:

• Excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
• Strategic and visionary thinking and analysis.
• Collaborator skilled at leveraging the strengths of individuals, teams and organizations.
• Demonstrated success with team leadership, change management and project management.
• Excellent written, verbal and presentation skills with the ability to communicate effectively with all stakeholders.
• Responsive customer service skills.
• Advanced technological literacy skills.

Experience and Education

• A Master of Library Science degree from an ALA-accredited library school is preferred. Equivalent experience and education will be considered.
• Minimum 5 years of public library professional work experience demonstrating progressive responsibility in management positions.
• Management and supervisory experience, including financial and human resources, and experience working with collective agreements.
• A strong commitment to, and passion for, public service and public libraries.

Competencies and Personal Characteristics

Advocacy: Skilled at developing and maintaining partnerships; creates new connections; effectively handles outreach; knows how to get invited to the table; connected with the community and stakeholders; meets and interacts with external stakeholders; elevates the library’s image.

Collaborator: Relates well to all kinds of people; builds rapport easily and appropriately; builds strong and effective relationships; uses diplomacy and tact; can diffuse and navigate challenging situations.

Communicator: Clear, concise, focused, confident, and decisive. Skilled at engaging an audience. Knows how to tailor the message to fit the room. An attentive listener. Someone people find easy to talk to.

Integrity: Widely trusted; presents the truth appropriately and helpfully; keeps confidences; sees things from multiple perspectives; admits mistakes; accountable; delivers on commitments.

Leader: Creates a positive work environment; motivates; encourages; mentors; coaches; people follow your lead; creates a climate where people want to do their best; pushes decisions down; empowers others; invites input and shares ownership; makes individuals feel their work is important and valued; is someone people like working with and for; inclusive; doesn’t operate in silos.

Political acumen: Savvy; knows how to build and maintain relationships, manoeuvres through complex political situations; is sensitive to how people and organizations function. Understands the importance of tact and diplomacy in a political setting.

Strategic: Strategic thinker; moves forward; anticipates trends; is future-oriented; creates competitive and breakthrough strategies and plans. Not risk-averse. Transforms, propels, and drives an organization forward.

Team Player: Inclusive; blends people into teams when needed; creates strong morale; shares wins and successes; fosters open dialogue; lets people finish and be responsible for their work; defines success in terms of the whole team; creates a feeling of belonging.

Visionary/Innovator: Sees the big picture; understands public libraries and the need to embrace change; innovative and open to taking risks; develops support for change initiatives; action-oriented, smart risk-taker who dares to be progressive and transformative. Has a vision of how public space is accessed and used. Able to execute on vision and know how to move an organization through change.

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

Cochrane Public Library is committed to building and sustaining an inclusive work environment, one that welcomes, supports, respects and values individuals for their unique experiences and perspectives. We encourage applications from qualified Indigenous persons, racially visible persons, persons with a disability, women, and persons of a minority sexual orientation and/or gender identity, and all candidates who would contribute to the diversity of our Library.

Express Your Enthusiasm

Email a cover letter and tailored resume (PDF or Word document only) to Heather Fookes or Shalini Bhatty at Calgary@leadersinternational.com indicating the job title in the subject line of the email.

Leaders International Executive Search

www.leadersinternational.com

Compensation:  $94,000 to $117,500

Leaders International Executive Search
Calgary , AB