PLA Blog

Are you ready to lead a highly respected library system, with tremendous community support, into the next generation of excellence and innovation? Can you lead a team to new heights that capture the best of both traditional and futuristic library and informational services?

Are you a politically astute, proactive leader who loves working in a stimulating environment that is diverse, complex and engaging with multiple and highly involved stakeholders?

Do you have a positive track record of understanding and leading new technology initiatives?

If so, THE SEATTLE PUBLIC LIBRARY offers a great opportunity for you!

The Seattle Public Library, with a Central Library, 26 branches, and a mobile service division, was visited by over 11.6 million visitors in 2007. The library’s dedicated staff of over 550 FTE circulated over 9.3 million items and presented nearly 5,000 events that were attended by more than 186,000 people.

The next City Librarian/CEO of The Seattle Public Library will be an exceptional leader whose track record sets them apart from their peers. Candidates must possess appropriate academic credentials and senior level executive management experience working in a sophisticated urban library system or closely related enterprise.

The Library Board of Trustees intends to negotiate salary with the selected individual and is prepared to offer an attractive and competitive salary as well as a comprehensive benefits package.

Applicants should submit a letter of interest and resume electronically to June Garcia at or Bill Hawkins at or mail materials to:
William D. Hawkins
The Hawkins Company
6080 Center Drive, 6th floor
Los Angeles, CA 90045

Applications received by Wednesday, September 17, 2008 will receive first consideration.

Ms Mora and Mr. Raul Colon couldn’t have been more gracious and generous with us. Ms. Mora shared a poem from her upcoming collection of teen love poems — whoot whoot - there just isn’t a lot of good love poetry for teens — I’m very much looking forward to the publication of that book. Mr. Colon shared that when he is teaching at the (I’m sorry, I missed the name of the institution where he teaches an art class), he teaches the students to read. One of their first assignments is to read an essay abut irony and then illustrate the ideas that it discusses. His point is that having great ideas is more important than technical proficiency and you get new ideas from reading. Thank you both for the great work you have done and for paying it forward to the Latino community.

Seattle Public Library is excited to host Pat Mora for Sharing Bookjoy, an El día de los niños/El día de los libros celebration.