City Librarian

City of Calabasas, California

Salary: $141,813 - $177,105 annually
Application Deadline: July 12, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. PST

The City of Calabasas is seeking an innovative, collaborative, and service-oriented leader to serve as its next City Librarian. This executive-level position provides strategic leadership and oversight for all library operations, programs, services, and staff while advancing the library's role as a vibrant community hub for lifelong learning, literacy, and civic engagement.

About the Community

Nestled along the scenic Santa Monica Mountains, Calabasas is a thriving community of more than 23,000 residents known for its natural beauty, excellent schools, extensive parks and trails, and strong civic engagement. Residents enjoy a high quality of life and access to diverse recreational, educational, and cultural opportunities throughout the region.

About the Library

The Calabasas Library is a cornerstone of the community, offering educational resources, cultural programming, technology access, and lifelong learning opportunities for residents of all ages.

Library Highlights

• 27,000-square-foot LEED Gold-certified facility
• Approximately 80,000 annual visitors
• More than 230,000 annual circulations
• Over 86,000 collection items
• Nearly 180 annual programs
• More than 4,000 annual program participants
• 21 public internet workstations
• Staff of 19 employees and 54 volunteers

Position Overview

Reporting to the Deputy City Manager, the City Librarian is responsible for the overall leadership, direction, and administration of the City's Library Department. This position develops strategic goals, manages departmental operations and budgets, oversees staff, and ensures exceptional library services that meet the evolving needs of the community.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee all library services and operations
• Develop and implement departmental goals, policies, and strategic initiatives
• Prepare and manage the library budget
• Supervise, mentor, and evaluate library staff
• Enhance public-facing services and community programming
• Oversee collection development and information resources
• Manage contracts, RFPs, and vendor relationships
• Prepare reports, statistics, and compliance documentation
• Collaborate with City departments, community organizations, and external partners
• Represent the City and Library in public meetings and professional organizations

The Ideal Candidate

The successful candidate will be a visionary library professional with strong leadership and management experience. They will be passionate about public service, committed to equitable access, and skilled at fostering innovation while preserving the core values of public libraries.

Key attributes include:

• Strong leadership and team-building skills
• Experience managing budgets and organizational resources
• Knowledge of modern library services, technologies, and emerging trends
• Excellent communication and public engagement abilities
• Experience with strategic planning, policy development, and program evaluation
• Ability to build strong relationships with staff, community members, elected officials, and partner organizations

Minimum Qualifications

Education

Master's Degree in Library Science from an accredited institution.

Experience

• Five (5) years of professional public library experience
• Two (2) years of supervisory or management experience

Benefits

The City of Calabasas offers a competitive benefits package, including:

• CalPERS retirement
• 100% City-paid medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and eligible dependents
• Generous vacation and sick leave accruals
• Flexible 9/80 work schedule
• 11.5 holidays plus floating holiday hours
• $3,000 annual automobile allowance
• Deferred compensation, life insurance, and disability insurance

Apply

Interested candidates should apply online through the executive recruitment firm Bob Murray & Associates.

Applications must be submitted by July 12, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. PST.