Description
Library Director – Sioux City Public Library (IA)
The Sioux City Public Library (IA) Board of Trustees invites applications for the position of Library Director, an exceptional leadership opportunity to guide a dynamic, three-branch library system serving a diverse community of approximately 85,000 residents.
The Sioux City Public Library is a cornerstone of the community, offering access to more than 300,000 physical and digital materials, innovative technology, and hundreds of educational and cultural programs each year. With an annual operating budget of approximately $4 million and a staff of over 30 dedicated professionals, the library provides vital resources that support literacy, workforce readiness, and lifelong learning.
From the Main Library downtown to the Morningside and Perry Creek Branches, Sioux City Public Library serves as a welcoming space for curiosity, connection, and community growth.
Reporting to the seven-member Library Board of Trustees, the Library Director provides strategic vision, administrative leadership, and fiscal oversight for all library operations. The director is responsible for managing personnel, budgeting, and facilities; implementing Board policy; and advancing the library’s mission to connect people and ideas to empower and enrich the community. The ideal candidate will be an innovative, collaborative leader who values public service, champions intellectual freedom, and fosters a culture of inclusion, creativity, and accountability.
Sioux City offers the convenience and accessibility of a smaller city paired with a wide range of amenities. Its walkable downtown features local coffee shops, a seasonal farmers’ market, and diverse dining options. The city punches above its weight in live music and theater, with venues such as the Orpheum Theatre, Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, and Tyson Events Center, supported by a vibrant local arts community. Just beyond the city lie the Loess Hills—a rare and scenic landform ideal for hiking and outdoor recreation. Residents enjoy abundant cultural and recreational opportunities, including museums, art centers, sports facilities, nature areas, bike trails, a BMX course, a tubing hill, and a new water park opening this year. Sioux City is within easy reach of larger metro areas and experiences all four seasons, allowing for year-round outdoor activities. With a strong sense of community, minimal traffic, and a reasonable cost of living, Sioux City is a comfortable and family-friendly place to live and work.
Key Responsibilities are to provide overall direction, leadership, and management for all Library operations, services, and staff; develop and implement strategic plans, goals, and policies in collaboration with the Library Board of Trustees; prepare and administer the library’s annual budget and ensure responsible fiscal management; lead staff development and maintain a supportive, team-oriented workplace culture; advocate for the library with city officials, community partners, and state and regional library organizations; oversee facilities management, technology innovation, and capital improvement initiatives; work closely with the library’s two separate organizations: Friends of the Sioux City Public Library and the Sioux City Public Library Foundation; serve as the public face of the library—promoting its mission, vision, and value throughout the community. For a full list of responsibilities, see the job description linked in the listing on the Bradbury Miller Associates website website (https://bradburymiller.com/current-clients/).
Compensation & Benefits: The hiring salary range is $116,000 – $135,000 (with placement negotiable dependent on experience and qualifications) and an excellent fringe benefits package.
Benefits: Comprehensive benefits package including health insurance, paid leave, and participation in the Iowa Public Employees’ Retirement System (IPERS).
Apply: 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, March 15, 2026.
Join in leading a library that informs, inspires, and connects the Sioux City community.
Visit our website (https://bradburymiller.com/current-clients/) to access the latest version of this announcement in full, along with all related links.
Requirements
Qualifications: Master’s Degree in Library and Information Science (MLIS) from an American Library Association-accredited program is required. The ideal candidate will have at least five years of progressively responsible public library management experience, including supervision, budgeting, and strategic planning. They will also have proven leadership, communication, and collaboration skills and a strong understanding of library operations, emerging technologies, and trends in public service. Residency within Sioux City is required within six months of hire.
