Description

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.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
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.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
- 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.

CURRENT SALARY
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.

HOW TO APPLY
- Cover letter and resume must be sent via email to HR Representative Jamie Heberer at jheber@milwaukee.gov by 11:59 pm, Friday, 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.

More information about this opportunity can be found here.

Requirements

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 at the time of appointment and throughout employment.