Join our team!!! The Ouachita Parish Public Library is located in the beautiful twin cities of Monroe/West Monroe in northeast Louisiana. The library system consists of 6 branches plus a bookmobile, with a 7th branch in the planning stages. Ouachita Parish Public Library serves a population of 146,985 and is proud to be one of the top libraries in the state.

The library offers liberal benefits, including an excellent retirement system, vacations, sick leave and health insurance. Employees may advance to higher positions according to their abilities, qualifications, education, and special interests based upon the needs of the library. After offered employment at the Ouachita Parish Public Library, the applicant agrees to be tested and to successfully pass a drug screening in order to be added to the payroll. The screening will be done by an independent laboratory with the cost to be covered by the library. Ouachita Parish Public Library is an equal opportunity employer.

Present library employees are given three days priority in applying for the vacant position before outside applicants will be considered. Library employees may still apply after the designated deadline but priority will not be given.

Applications and resumés may be submitted to the Operations Coordinator, Carolyn Chatham, in person or by email. The official form may be obtained by picking one up at the office or by following the link. You must have Adobe Reader to fill out the form. For more information call the office of Operations Coordinator at (318) 327-1490 or email (cchatham@oplib.org ). If you fill out an application on line please follow up with a phone call as the mail filter may stop some commercial email addresses. Applications may be returned on line or in person Monday through Friday between the hours of 2:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. to:       

Current Vacancies   - updated Feb. 8, 2010

OPPL Library Director

 

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Library Director

The Ouachita Parish Public Library is accepting applications for the position of Library Director. The system seeks a director who is community-minded, energetic, enthusiastic and imaginative with proven community-relations skills, a strong customer-service orientation, financial acuity and highly knowledgeable of human resources issues.

Ouachita parish (county) is located in the northeast corner of Louisiana. The two largest cities are Monroe and West Monroe, separated by the beautiful Ouachita River. The area is very diverse financially and has a vibrant and growing economy. Ouachita is home to the University of Louisiana at Monroe, excellent schools, and many cultural and sporting activities, including boating, hunting and fishing.

Ouachita Parish Public Library (OPPL) serves a population of over 150,000—almost 93,000 are registered borrowers. The library system is well-funded with a budget of over $7 million funded primarily with a dedicated 7.5 mils ad valorem property tax. Ouachita employs approximately 125 employees, 14 of which are ALA accredited MLS/MLIS employees. The collection stands at over 435,000 items with a yearly circulation of 905,000. There are currently eight branches plus bookmobile and outreach service, with two additional facilities under construction due to open in late summer of 2010. Polaris is the library’s automation system.

Essential Duties and Major Responsibilities

• Directs operations of library system
• Acts as Secretary of the Board of Control
• Implements policies and decisions of the Board
• Establishes operational procedures
• Makes all decisions regarding hiring, dismissal, promotion, demotion or other related personnel actions
• Prepares and administers the overall budget
• Develops long-range objectives and plans
• Plays a leading role in tax elections, bond issues and other funding initiatives
• Enforces all library rules and regulations
• Provides maintenance and security of all facilities, systems and grounds
• Must have general knowledge of automation practices
• Serves as Director of Trail Blazer Library System
• Other duties as requested

Supervision: This employee supervises the following positions: Directly: Assistant Director and with the Assistant Director: All Branch Managers, All Supervisors and All Department Heads; Indirectly: All employees of the Ouachita Parish Public Library System.

Networking: This employee must develop a wide range of high-ranking contacts and maintain a good working relationship with these contacts to the benefit of the library. Examples include: Police Jurors; political office holders and appointees; Friends of the Library Board and members; civic leaders; business leaders; etc,
           
Qualifications and Experience: ALA accredited MLS/MLIS with a minimum of 10 years progressively responsible (paid, post MLS) experience including 7 years (paid, post MLS) upper level library administrative work (assistant director of a large library or director of a small or medium-sized library).

Successful applicant will be provided a vehicle and therefore must maintain a good driving record with a valid driver’s license, with no DWI offenses within the past 5 years and no moving violations within the past year.

A background check will be performed on all applicants. Must have certification (or be able to attain certification within 1st year of employment) by the Louisiana State Board of Library Examiners.

Salary: $80,000, dependent upon qualifications, experience and salary history. Benefits are generous and include 20 days of paid annual leave, 3 personal days, 12 days of sick leave and approximately 13 paid holidays. Health insurance premium paid at 79%, $25,000 free life insurance with additional life, vision, dental and other coverage available.

OPPL is an EOE employer and does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, or age.

Application Deadline: April 8th, 2010.

Starting Date: July 15th  – September 23rd, 2010

To apply, please send a cover letter, salary history, resume’ and contact information of five professional references to:

Mr. Darris Waren, Search Committee Chair
1800 Stubbs Ave
Monroe, LA  71201

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