Marion launches search for new library director

MARION - The city has begun its national search for a new library director, hiring an outside firm for $18,000 to find candidates to replace Doug Raber, who will retire in early 2016.

Bradbury Associates/Gossage Sager Associates, based in Kansas City, Mo., has completed similar searches for the Des Moines Public Library and the State Library of Iowa.

The job listing calls for a leader to move forward with the library project, a $28 million mixed-use facility with retail and residential components, of which the city will contribute $10 million. The salary range is $86,000 - $106,000, and the position requires a candidate with a master's degree in library science and a minimum of five years public library experience, three of those years in a supervisor or administrative position.

Raber has been director of the library since 2011. He previously directed the library system in Ferdale, Michigan, where he also oversaw an expansion project.

The director, who will report to the nine member library board of trustees, also will have to:

' Be the public face of the library, attending community meetings such as City Council and library board meetings

' Manage library services and activities, including reference, circulation and youth services

' Oversee and participate in the development of the budget (last year it was $1.7 million)

' Direct the development of strategic and long-range plans for the library consistent with the city's plans

While the firm will process applications and recruit candidates, it's the city's search committee, composed of library board members, city representatives and community members, who will make the ultimate hiring decision, said Dan Bradbury, managing partner with the company. The application deadline is Jan. 10. Semifinal interviews of six to eight candidates will take place on site or via Skype with the search committee on Jan. 28 and Jan 29. Negotiations are expected to be completed for the position Feb. 15 but the start date still is to be determined, Bradbury said. An agreement between the city and the firm indicate the new director would begin four to six weeks following the end of the search.