The State Librarian serves as chief administrative officer, provides critical leadership, and directs strategic, financial,
operational, and personnel activities of the Library of Michigan; is a member of the department’s leadership team and the
deputy superintendent’s admin directors leadership team; serves as secretary on the Library of Michigan’s advisory Board
of Trustees; and serves as a board member of the Library of Michigan Foundation. The state librarian is the guardian of the
quality of library services statewide and actively facilitates cooperation among and between libraries of all types within the
state and with library related organizations. The state librarian provides leadership in the development of policies and
legislation impacting public library establishment and state aid to public libraries. This position includes regular driving,
including in inclement weather for state wide Library and partnership visits.
The priorities of this position are in building strategic relationships and key partnerships across other MDE offices, peer
agencies, and with partnering entities including academic libraries, enhancing the libraries connections and increasing
collections through these partnerships, to ensure working toward shared purpose; maintaining program integrity;
developing the skills and competencies of all staff members within the office; valuing voice, and equity among staff in order
to ensure employee engagement, trust, and continuous improvement; communicating the MDE priorities and strategic
education plan goals; and assuring cohesion and coordination in technical assistance, training, and management of
complex projects between the Library of Michigan work units and MDE offices.