Small Town Library Jobs in Missouri (NOW HIRING)

Library Director – Library Center of the Ozarks (MO)

The five-member Library Center of the Ozarks Board of Trustees seeks an innovative and proven community-building leader as its next Library Director. In 2023, voters in the county’s subdistrict approved a tax levy to transition the 90-year-old privately funded Taneyhills Library to the newly-established Library Center of the Ozarks—the district’s first publicly-funded community library. The Library Center of the Ozarks currently operates a standalone 18,561 square foot location with a cohesive team of 11 full-time equivalents, serving the residents of the Branson and Hollister school subdistricts. This is a unique opportunity to continue growing a newer public library system from the ground up—building the team and cultivating community relationships. The new Library Director will be a connector, consensus builder, and communicator, capable of translating the value and vision of the library’s future as a vibrant community asset, with the potential for library service expansion in the region. Key initiatives include bolstering community partnerships, creating an inaugural strategic plan, and leading planning for new facilities that will adequately address the needs of a growing and diverse population.

Branson and Hollister, Missouri, sit in the heart of the Ozarks, just to the south of Springfield and offers a unique blend of opportunity, charm, and natural beauty. Branson is vibrant and lively, known for its family-friendly entertainment, dining, and access to stunning lakes and outdoor recreation, all surrounded by the rolling Ozark Hills. Just minutes away, Hollister provides a quieter, small-town atmosphere with strong schools, a close-knit community, and historic character, while still giving residents easy access to Branson’s amenities, including the world-class theme park of Silver Dollar City and the enduringly breathtaking Big Cedar Lodge. Together, the two towns create a balance—whether you enjoy the energy of a bustling tourism hub or the peace of a slower-paced neighborhood, you’ll find both within reach, making the area a welcoming place to live, work, and enjoy life.

• Directs short- and long-term planning and coordinates all activities of the library system, including finance, personnel, programs and services, collection development, facilities, equipment, government and community relations, and public relations.
• Provides fiscal management, prepares budgets, and oversees operational expenses; hires personnel; develops and recommends policies to the Board of Trustees; ensures proper communication of library happenings to staff and community; and collaborates with the board, staff, and key stakeholders in planning for the library’s future.
• Files reports as required by the Missouri State Library for library certification and compliance; oversees facilities maintenance and repair; promotes the Library Center of the Ozarks to community organizations, business partners, county commissioners, local government officials, the Missouri State Library, and professional library associations.
• Collaborates with the board, staff, and stakeholders in planning for the library’s future and participates in the development of an inaugural strategic plan; contributes to planning for potential new facilities to address community needs.
• For a full listing of responsibilities, see the linked job description below.

• ALA-accredited Master’s Degree in Library and Information Science.
• Three (3) or more years of progressively responsible work in a public library.
• Two (2) or more years of experience as a supervisor or manager.
• Understanding of Missouri public library governance structures and funding is a plus.
• Experience with governing boards, construction/renovation, and strategic planning are preferred.

Compensation: The hiring salary range is $90,000 – $115,000 (placement negotiable dependent on experience and qualifications) and an excellent fringe benefits package.

Interested candidates should submit their resume through the application portal (https://bradburymiller.com/current-clients/) by selecting the position and then the “Apply” button. For further information, contact Bradbury Miller Associates (https://bradburymiller.com/). This position closes on Sunday, November 2, 2025.

Visit our website (https://bradburymiller.com/current-clients/) to access the latest version of this announcement in full, along with all related links.