Library Cooperative Director Job at Michigan Library Association in Sterling Hei

Library Cooperative Director

Posted: Nov 5, 2025
Application Deadline: January 5, 2026

Location: Suburban Library Cooperative – Sterling Heights, MI

Employment: Full‑time

Salary: $95,000.00 – $105,000.00

Job Overview

The Suburban Library Cooperative Board is hiring a director to manage and empower a staff of 11 and advocate for, collaborate with and support a membership of 22 diverse public libraries in the Macomb County area, northeast of Detroit, Michigan. The Director will provide leadership, strategic direction, and operational oversight for the cooperative.

General Responsibilities

• Report to the nine‑member appointed Cooperative Board and chair the Suburban Library Cooperative Advisory Council, composed of the directors of the member libraries.
• Provide operation and direction of all staff, services, programs and planning, including budgets and financial activities, the shared integrated library system (ILS), and group purchases of digital and other resources.
• Collaborate closely with government officials, community groups, and state, local and national organizations to advocate on behalf of member libraries.

Essential Functions

• Submit recommendations to the SLC Council and Board on policies and services, personnel utilization, budgets, finances, and other projects and management areas; establish priorities and review progress of the annual strategic goals.
• Analyze and coordinate cooperative general and automation system budgets while estimating and controlling expenditures, administer approved budgets, and manage cooperative investments; complete the annual state aid report.
• Administer established personnel policies; hire, train, supervise, and evaluate staff; provide training and professional development.
• Oversee the shared integrated library system, act as liaison between member libraries and the automation system vendor, and participate in regional and national user groups.
• Communicate regularly with all member libraries, including site visits; assist and advise on human resources, board development, policies and procedures, intellectual freedom, advocacy, and technology.
• Write, administer, and report on grants for cooperative‑wide projects; coordinate the MiLibraryCard and the Virtual Library Card programs.
• Establish positive relationships with national, state, and local elected officials, school representatives, non‑profits, community organizations and businesses that partner with the Cooperative.
• Represent the Cooperative at professional meetings, including the Library Cooperatives of Michigan, Michigan Library Association, and the Library of Michigan to advocate on behalf of member libraries.
• Maintain knowledge of new developments in the library profession through professional development opportunities.

Education, Training, and Experience (Required Qualifications)

• Master’s degree in Library Science from an ALA‑accredited institution.
• Possession of a Librarian’s Permanent Professional Certificate issued by the Library of Michigan, or ability to obtain.
• Minimum of six years of management or director experience in a library cooperative or a library with a minimum of six direct reports.
• Experience with team building, active listening, collaboration, advocacy, and library automation systems, digital resources, and other forms of library technology.
• Experience collaborating with partner organizations such as other public libraries, cooperatives, consortia, schools, and local community groups on a variety of projects.

Salary and Benefits

• Full‑time, on‑site position at our 4,312‑sq‑foot building in Sterling Heights, MI.
• Starting salary range: $95,000 – $105,000.
• Benefits include Blue Care Network individual health, dental and vision insurance, employer‑paid Simplified Employee Pension plan, life insurance, short‑ and long‑term disability insurance, paid vacation, sick, holiday, and personal business days, and reimbursement for moving expenses (negotiable).

How to Apply

Please send a detailed cover letter, resume, and three references via e‑mail to Carol Dawe, SLC Search Committee Liaison, at carol@llcoop.org. Qualified applicants will be required to submit written responses to questions developed by the search committee.

Application Deadline: January 5, 2026.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from all qualified candidates.

Attachments

• SLC Director Posting 2025.pdf