MILWAUKEE PUBLIC LIBRARY DIRECTOR

THIS POSITION IS EXEMPT FROM CIVIL SERVICE

Appointment and continued employment are at the pleasure of the Mayor; the appointment of the Milwaukee Public Library Director requires confirmation by the Common Council.

The Milwaukee Public Library (MPL) is looking for a Library Director who is forward-thinking and people-focused – a trailblazer who’s excited to shape the delivery of public services across our 13 neighborhood libraries, including the historic Central Library, built in 1898. If you're passionate about public libraries, thrive on collaboration and have a talent for turning vision into action, we’d love to hear from you.

The Library Director serves as the chief administrative and executive officer of the MPL and is MPL’s primary public-facing representative. As secretary of the MPL Board of Trustees, the Library Director carries out the immediate and long-range plans of the Milwaukee Public Library Board. The Library Director provides leadership and direction to senior management to support impactful decision-making and planning for the future, while keeping services responsive, welcoming, and community-centered.

Leadership and Strategy

• Direct the operation of the Milwaukee Public Library system.
• Serve as a member of the Mayor's Cabinet, and as Secretary of the MPL Board of Trustees.
• Works effectively with City department heads and elected officials.
• Provide executive leadership, motivation and direction for nearly 400 employees to support an environment of excellence, innovation, and community.
• Support senior managers and their teams to achieve the library’s vision, mission, and strategic initiatives.
• Communicate organizational vision, develop and implement strategies, galvanize teams, and drive results to meet goals and customer expectations.
• Work with direct reports, including the Deputy Library Director, Associate Library Director and the Communications and Community Engagement Director on outcome-based planning and goal setting; organizational development and reporting structure; budget planning and resource alignment; major capital projects; fiscal accountability, financial and fundraising sustainability, and innovating for the future.
• Maintain standards and best practices in professional and related activities to attain the objectives of the library system.
• Demonstrate knowledge of industry best practices and innovation in the provision of access to resources, collections stewardship, and transformative library services and spaces.
• Recruit, train, and evaluate the performance of direct reports.

Governance

• Serve as Secretary of the Board of Trustees, and under their direction, develop institutional goals and policies for Board approval.
• Plan and organize services and facilities to best serve the needs of the community.
• Represent the Board and the Mayor before the Common Council, the Finance and Personnel Committee, special committees of the Council, the County Board and other local and State boards, commissions, and committees.
• Represent the MPL effectively in the community and fundraising efforts. Administers federal, state, and private grants.
• Maintain partnerships with the Milwaukee County Federated Library System and the WI Department of Public Instruction’s Bureau of Libraries.

Budget

• Oversee the development of the annual MPL budget, with the Deputy Director, the Business Finance Manager and the Administrative Team, the Mayor’s budget team and with guidance from the MPL Board of Trustees.
• Represent the Board and Mayor during the budget review process.
• Review and approve recommendations of the library staff for the expenditure of library funds.
• Reviews and approves staff scholarship programs ensuring appropriate and equitable use of funds.
• Guide the planning for system development, building planning, construction and renovation programs.

Community Relations  

• Develop and build strategic partnerships with community stakeholders and participate in community activities; works collaboratively with partners to improve and strengthen community relations.
• Communicate a compelling and inspired vision and sense of core purpose to the community, and other key stakeholders.
• Maintains awareness of metropolitan growth and development, and understands the social well-being impacts of libraries.
• Provide leadership in long-range planning for the development of library service based on data and community input.
• Establish and maintain contacts with professional organizations and associations, and library peers state-wide and nationally.

Milwaukee Public Library Foundation

• Direct the fundraising efforts of the Milwaukee Public Library Foundation, develop, plan, implement, and coordinate financial development for the MPL.
• Establish contacts with key community leaders, draft formal justifications, proposals, and subsequent reporting; follow up with donors.
• Attend all Foundation Board meetings as a non-voting member.
• Attend Foundation committee meetings. On behalf of MPL, solicit contributions and gifts directly to the library.

We welcome qualified individuals with disabilities who are interested in employment and will make reasonable accommodations during the hiring process in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, as amended by the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA) of 2008.

• Ability to work flexible work hours, some evening and weekend hours, in excess of 40 hours per week.
• Ability to travel to all 13 Milwaukee Public Library locations regularly.
• File a Statement of Economic Interests in accordance with the Milwaukee Code of Ordinances Chapter 303-Code of Ethics.

1. Master’s degree in library and information science from an ALA-accredited library information program.
2. Five years of post-MLIS library management experience as an administrator of a major library division, an independent municipal library, a central library in an urban setting, a public service operation in a neighborhood library unit or as a coordinator in a major subject area.
3. Valid driver’s license and availability of a properly insured personal automobile for use on the job (mileage reimbursement provided pursuant to Section 350-183 of the Milwaukee Code) at the time of appointment and throughout employment. 

Technical:

• Knowledge of modern public library services and current and evolving practices across multiple service areas, with demonstrated experience in strategic plan execution and complex problem solving.
• Ability to learn the workings of the MPL system, including its policies, functions, relationships, and resources.
• Ability to read and interpret a wide variety of job-related documents; broad knowledge of subject disciplines and wide-ranging reading interests.
• Knowledge of computers, online catalogs, databases, networks, and their applications for library use; proficiency in using word processing, spreadsheet, and database software.
• Understanding of the social responsibilities of an urban public library in an era of information access and technological change.
• Knowledge of research methods, development, and the preservation and organization of research and reference collections.
• Ability to promote innovative programming and public service development.
• Understanding of the complexity of creating welcoming spaces for all while ensuring staff and patron safety in an urban library system.
• Knowledge of budgeting processes to assist with complex budget development and management.
• Ability to develop more effective and efficient ways to deliver service to library patrons and the community.
• Ability to acquire and apply knowledge of building renovation planning and processes.
• Knowledge of best practices in maintaining and preserving special collections, archives, and rare books.

Leadership and Supervisory:       

• Flexibility and skill in encouraging staff to solve problems in the interest of providing the highest quality public service.
• Ability to lead teams through organizational change, navigating dynamic and evolving circumstances to achieve strategic goals.
• Ability to develop and implement a strategic vision guiding services across multiple locations and units, aligning diverse teams around common goals and delivering measurable outcomes.
• Ability to execute the full spectrum of management duties, including the ability to interview, onboard, train, coach, motivate, discipline, and evaluate staff.
• Ability to foster an environment of inclusion wherein all employees are treated respectfully, are valued for their strengths, and feel that they can safely express themselves.
• Ability to represent the library consistent with MPL's vision, mission, and strategic plan.

Communication and Interpersonal:

• Skill in tactfully and respectfully addressing sensitive situations with patrons who may be experiencing difficult personal issues.
• Ability to effectively engage, communicate, and partner with community stakeholders, elected officials, and board members.
• Customer service knowledge and skill with an understanding of diverse patron needs.
• Ability to work effectively with multilevel, multicultural managers and staff, elected officials, board members, other City employees, vendors, community groups and patrons from all socioeconomic, educational, literacy, and cultural backgrounds.
• Verbal communication and presentation skills to share information clearly and concisely to various audiences, both formal and informal.
• Written communication skills to be able to write clear reports, correspondence, policies, procedures, and publication-ready articles.

Judgment and Critical Thinking:

• Critical thinking skills to creatively solve challenging, multifaceted problems, make sound decisions, and marshal library system resources for the benefit of the community.
• Organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet frequent deadlines.
• Skill in performing detailed, independent work with a high degree of accuracy.
• Situational awareness and observational skills to mitigate potential safety incidents.
• Professionalism, honesty, integrity, ability to maintain confidentiality and responsible stewardship of City resources.
• Intellectual curiosity and a commitment to staying apprised of developments in library management. 

The current salary range (Pay Range 1SX) is $149,117-$215,018 annually, and the current resident incentive salary range for City of Milwaukee residents is $155,082-$223,619 annually. Appointment above the minimum is possible based upon the level of experience and other qualifications and is subject to approval.

BENEFITS

The City of Milwaukee provides a comprehensive benefit program which includes:

• Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) Defined Benefit Pension Plan
• 457 Deferred Compensation Plan
• Health and Dental Insurance
• Paid Parental Leave
• Comprehensive Wellness Program
• Onsite Clinic Services
• Onsite Employee Assistance Program
• Alternative Work Schedules
• Long Term Disability Insurance
• Group Life Insurance
• Tuition Benefits
• Paid Vacation
• 12 Paid Holidays
• Paid Sick Leave and other paid leaves
• Flexible Spending Arrangement
• Commuter Value Pass

 For full details of the benefits offered by the City of Milwaukee, please visit https://city.milwaukee.gov/der/benefits.

THE SELECTION PROCESS 

• Screening for this position will be based on an evaluation of each applicant’s education, experience, and professional accomplishments, which must be detailed in a cover letter and resume.
• Cover letter and resume must be sent via email to HR Representative Jamie Heberer at jheber@milwaukee.gov by 11:59 pm, June 12, 2026.
• Please indicate “Milwaukee Public Library Director” in the subject line of the email message.
• The City of Milwaukee reserves the right to invite only the most qualified applicants to participate in the selection process.

INITIAL FILING DATE –

• The selection process will be conducted as soon as practical after the deadline listed above.
• Receipt of application materials may be discontinued at any time after this date without prior notice. However, recruitment may continue until the City's needs have been met. The applicant is responsible for attending all phases of the job selection process at the time and place designated by the City of Milwaukee.

EEO Code 101

The City of Milwaukee values and encourages diversity and is an equal opportunity employer.