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Director – Des Moines Public Library (IA) The Des Moines Public Library (DMPL) Board of Trustees is seeking a visionary and strategic leader to serve as the next Director. This individual will possess excellent communication skills, inspire staff, and foster an environment of growth and innovation to meet community needs. The Director will collaborate with the Library Board to develop and update policies and maintain a strategic plan for implementation. Flexibility and creativity in adapting to changing circumstances within the library, community, and government are essential. DMPL is a vital community hub providing free access to information, resources, and lifelong learning across six branches, including the downtown Central Library designed by David Chipperfield. It employs approximately 70 full-time staff and 65 part-time/temporary staff. The library offers a wide range of services, including books, workshops, WiFi, archives, storytimes, and a library-of-things. Digital resources include eBooks, audiobooks, streaming media, and research databases. DMPL hosts numerous programs and events year-round, such as book clubs, art exhibits, summer reading, community outreach, and the AViD speaker series. Services like Library by Mail, reservable meeting rooms, notary, test proctoring, and Community Fridges support community needs. Tech Central, the innovation lab, promotes hands-on technology exploration. Guided by its mission to educate, inspire, and connect, DMPL fosters a space for ideas, community, and access to materials and services that empower residents. The city of Des Moines, Iowa’s capital and largest city, is a vibrant, diverse community of approximately 215,000 residents, part of a metro area of over 750,000. It features a growing downtown with new apartments, a strong economy as a regional financial and industrial hub, and rich cultural offerings including Des Moines Performing Arts, the Symphony, Art Center, Pappajohn Sculpture Park, Metro Opera, and the World Food Prize. The city hosts numerous festivals and boasts recreational amenities such as one of the largest skateparks in the U.S., extensive bike and water trails, and upcoming whitewater kayaking courses. Responsibilities :

The Director will serve as a prominent public figure, cultivating relationships with local government and residents, managing the annual budget, collaborating with the Library Foundation, championing intellectual freedom, and applying best practices in public library operations. The role requires working with government financial procedures, managing personnel, and effective communication. For detailed responsibilities, see the linked full job description. Qualifications :

A master’s degree in library science from an ALA-accredited program is required. Candidates should have at least five years of management experience in a comparable public library system, including oversight of budgets, customer service, and programming. Residency within Des Moines must be established within 12 months of hire. Compensation :

Salary range is $138,500 – $197,000, negotiable based on experience, with excellent fringe benefits.

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