Description
Director – Buffalo & Erie County Public Library (NY)
The Buffalo & Erie County Public Library (NY) seeks a Director who will advance and build upon its vital role as the center of information, education, culture, and entertainment across Erie County. This role requires a politically astute, relationship-driven leader with strong communication skills and the ability to build trust across community, staff, and government stakeholders. Together, the Director works alongside the system’s 15-member governing board, a hardworking and talented team of 364 FTE staff, and an operating budget of $36 million to serve the City of Buffalo and Erie County through nine city locations, 28 member library locations, and two bookmobiles. Key responsibilities include concluding the system’s current five-year plan, launching the next strategic planning process, continuing to roll out the library’s rebrand and statement of purpose “Profoundly Public,” and delivering the diverse and community-centered programming for which the library is known.
Buffalo and Erie County offer a unique blend of urban, suburban, and rural living, all within minutes of the Canadian border and Niagara Falls. Often referred to as “The City of Good Neighbors,” Buffalo is known for its sense of community and civic pride and has distinct neighborhoods, each with its own unique identity. Residents enjoy access to Lake Erie’s waterfront, an affordable cost of living, and a wide range of cultural institutions, including art galleries, theaters, and museums as well as a Grammy-winning philharmonic orchestra. Outdoor options are equally diverse, with parks designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, extensive bike trails, and four-season recreation that includes hiking, kayaking, skiing, and more. Buffalo has a rich history, from the site of Theodore Roosevelt’s inauguration to its nationally recognized Mark Twain manuscript collection housed at the Central Library. The region is also home to numerous universities, a diverse, growing and nationally recognized food scene, and a loyal sports culture with three professional teams—Go Bills!
Responsibilities: Responsibilities include building partnerships with community organizations and stakeholders; participating in local, state, and national library associations; serving as the library’s spokesperson to the media while advancing the system’s public relations strategy; overseeing all development activities; recommending policies and reporting measurable results to the Board of Trustees; approving operational policies for the Central Library, city branches, and contract member libraries; setting performance standards for library services; approving and defending the budget before the Board, County Executive, and County Legislature; and negotiating and communicating with state, county, and local officials. For a full list of responsibilities, see the links in the job posting on the Bradbury Miller Associate website (https://bradburymiller.com/current-clients/).
Compensation: The hiring salary range is $165,000 – $190,000 (placement within the range negotiable depending 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/). All applications are due by Sunday, March 8, 2026.
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: A master's degree in library science from an accredited-ALA library school, and ten years of professional library experience, five years of which must have been as head of a library system (public, academic, school or other) or a large public library and three additional years in an administrative capacity; or a satisfactory equivalent combination of training and experience. The successful candidate will need to hold or be eligible for a New York State Public Librarian Certificate and obtain State Education Department approval from the New York State Library.
