The posting
Job Description
WAGE: $61.76 - $95.73
DEPARTMENT: Library
BENEFITS: Health, Dental, Vision, Retirement, 401k match, Life Insurance, Short-term Disability, Accident, Critical Illness
PERSONNEL STATUS: Full Time FLSA & Merit Exempt
IMPORTANT NOTE:
Please submit a current resume and a thoughtful cover letter showing your leadership philosophy and vision for public library service. Also include in your submittal three current professional references who can speak to your leadership experience and qualifications for this position. References should include current library supervisor, governing authority, elected official, board chair, or other individual to whom you currently directly report. References will be contacted only if you are being seriously considered for appointment.
JOB OVERVIEW:
Weber County Library System is seeking an experienced, innovative, and community-minded professional to serve as its next Library Director. This is an exceptional opportunity to lead a highly regarded public library system serving approximately 278,000 Weber County residents through five library locations and a workforce of more than 170 employees.
The Library Director is the chief executive and senior professional librarian of the Weber County Library System. Reporting to the Library Board of Trustees and county officials, the Director provides executive leadership for library services, personnel, finances, facilities, collections, technology, programs, and community relations.
The ideal candidate will bring strong public library experience, sound administrative judgment, excellent communication skills, and the ability to lead a complex organization while maintaining a clear focus on public service and measurable results.
We are looking for a director who balances a deep passion for librarianship with the mindset of an executive, someone who sees budgets, modern facilities, and evolving technologies as creative tools to empower our community.
You will oversee:
Exceptional "Third Space" Facilities: Our five unique locations are designed for hands-on experimentation and community gathering. They feature incredible public amenities including black box theaters, modern makerspaces, tech labs, art galleries, cafes, and outdoor amphitheaters.
A Talented, Passionate Workforce: You will lead a dedicated team of more than 170 professionals and support staff spanning public service, technical processing—including cataloging and acquisitions—IT, operations, marketing, and administration. Together, this collaborative workforce is excited to partner with you to continually rethink and elevate what public service can achieve.
Rich Collections & Intellectual Freedom: We steward more than 757,000 physical items alongside a rapidly growing digital catalog. Our collections directly reflect our core commitment to education, intellectual freedom, equity, and diverse perspectives.
A Natural Culture of Innovation: From being early automation pioneers to deploying our custom BrAIny artificial intelligence services in 2026, our library is an evolving learning platform that shapes how our community works, creates, and communicates.
Strong, Stable Fiscal Foundation: Backed securely by property taxes, our 2026 operating budget is $17.2 million, complemented by a Capital Improvement Fund of more than $3,000,000. As the Library’s fiscal officer, you will have the financial runway to maintain excellence and plan meaningfully for the future.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
The Director provides executive leadership and strategic direction for a dynamic, five-location county library system, working closely with the Library Board of Trustees, county leadership, employees, and the community to advance the Library’s mission and long-term success. The position leads systemwide planning, policy implementation, budgeting, collections, facilities, technology, public services, communications, and organizational development while ensuring responsible stewardship of public resources and compliance with applicable laws and professional standards. As the Library’s chief executive and public representative, the Director builds strong community and governmental partnerships, champions intellectual freedom, identifies opportunities for innovation and funding, and positions the Library to meet the evolving needs of Weber County residents.
Any one position may not include all of the duties listed, nor do the listed examples include all duties which may be found in positions of this class. Applicants must be prepared to demonstrate the ability to perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Oversight of the county library system and its 170+ employees
Recruit, hire, train, evaluate, discipline, and act to dismiss, retain, or promote a competent professional workforce for the achievement and delivery of superior library service
Analyze workflow, scheduling, and use of leave
EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE:
Education: A Master's degree in Library and Information Science (MLIS) from an American Library Association-accredited program is required.
Experience: A proven record of progressive leadership in a public library system of significant size and complexity, with a minimum of 10 years of professional library experience, including at least eight years of administrative experience overseeing personnel, budgets, services, and, preferably, multi-site facilities.
Preferred Education and Experience: A second Master's degree in Public Administration (MPA) or an equivalent degree is highly valued, particularly with preparation in organizational leadership, finance, and operations. Executive leadership experience, including demonstrated experience working with elected officials and governing boards, may also be considered.
Please submit a current resume and a thoughtful cover letter showing your leadership philosophy and vision for public library service. Also include in your submittal three current professional references who can speak to your leadership experience and qualifications for this position. References should include current library supervisor, governing authority, elected official, board chair, or other individual to whom you currently directly report. References will be contacted only if you are being seriously considered for appointment.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES (KSA):
Knowledge of:
Substantial working knowledge of public library trends, theories, and major services and programs
Substantial working knowledge of the principles and practices of library science including reference services, collection development, readers’ advisory service, cataloging, and technology services
Substantial demonstrated experience with the provision of library services to all demographics, including the elderly, children, students, adult learners, and those living in poverty
Substantial working knowledge of public service management theory and practice, including customer satisfaction, strategic planning for results, staff development and supervision, time management, organizational skills, community relations, and publicity and promotion techniques
Thorough knowledge of and ability to develop and interpret library board policies and administrative procedures
Understanding of the relationships and responsibilities of library divisions and buildings
Understanding of library vision, mission, and roles (guiding principles), and the general role of public libraries within a community
Understanding of librarianship and its foundational documents, including the Library Bill of Rights, Code of Ethics, and the Freedom to Read Statement
Skills and Abilities:
Demonstrated ability to employ management techniques effectively in directing, planning, organizing, staffing, coordinating, budgeting, and evaluating the library's operation
Excellent interpersonal skills with the demonstrated ability to facilitate discussion and build consensus
Excellent communication skills, including public speaking ability
Excellent business and problem-solving skills
Ability to supervise employees and delegate responsibility, fairly and in accordance with board policies and state and federal laws
Ability to work productively within lines of authority and to accept decisions made by the board
Ability to function effectively in a political environment, where real-world compromises are sometimes necessary for the health of the organization
Ability to think abstractly, understand complex ideas, and see the whole picture
Ability to think analytically and to manipulate statistical data
Ability to handle complaints and controversy with objectivity
Desire to meet and serve the library's user community
Ability to organize job duties and work independently, handling multiple, competing priorities and accommodating deadlines
Creativity to envision and communicate directives for library programs and services
Ability to employ management techniques effectively in directing, planning, organizing, staffing, coordinating, budgeting, and evaluating the library's operation
Ability to exhibit good judgment according to a formalist system of ethics and establish a cordial and effective working relationship with the public, support employees, colleagues, board members, and county officials
YOUR SPECIAL QUALIFICATIONS:
Availability for morning, afternoon, evening, weekend, and some holiday shifts
Ability and willingness to engage effectively with individuals from all segments of the community, including those who may be experiencing significant social, economic, or personal challenges.
Preference given for fluency in more than one language
Pre-employment drug screening and criminal background check are required
Remote work not authorized
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to walk, stand, sit, talk, hear, balance, and reach. Must use hands and fingers to operate a computer. The employee is required to lift up to fifteen pounds, and occasionally up to fifty pounds. Must be able to move about the work area, talk clearly with customers and employees, and hear responses. Must have excellent close vision and good distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The Library Director works primarily in an office environment but regularly visits Library facilities and interacts with employees, Library users, community members, county officials, Board members, and community organizations.
The position requires flexibility to work morning, afternoon, evening, weekend, and holiday hours as necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of a system-wide executive.
Local, regional, and national travel may be required for internal and external meetings, professional conferences, and other Library business.
Professional employees may be required to adjust their responsibilities to address emergencies, special projects, and other organizational needs.
About Us
Founded in 1850, Weber County occupies a stretch of the Wasatch Front, part of the eastern shores of the Great Salt Lake, and much of the rugged Wasatch Mountains.
The Weber Center is located at 2380 Washington Blvd, Ogden, UT 84401
Contact the Human Resource Department with any questions at 801-399-8623 or by email at [email protected]
https://www.webercountyutah.gov/
