Library Director

The Portage Lake District Library, located in Houghton, Michigan, is seeking an innovative, community-minded leader to serve as its next Library Director. This full-time, permanent position offers the opportunity to guide a vibrant district library system dedicated to lifelong learning, public service, and community connection. We are looking for our next Director to be someone who will provide strategic leadership, oversee daily operations and staff, manage budgeting and policy implementation, cultivate partnerships and funding opportunities, and help shape the future of library services for the Keweenaw community and beyond. Candidates at this Class IV size library will need to have a Master of Library Science degree from an ALA-accredited institution, demonstrated leadership and supervisory experience, and a passion for building welcoming, forward-thinking public libraries.

This position offers a salary range of $65,000 to $70,000 along with a generous benefits package that includes health insurance, retirement benefits, paid time off, and professional development opportunities. If you are a collaborative and visionary administrator with strong communication, organizational, and community engagement skills who can inspire staff, connect with local organizations, and advocate for exceptional public library service at the local, regional, and state levels, this is the job for you. From strategic planning and grant development to community outreach and board relations, this role is ideal for a leader ready to make a meaningful impact in a dynamic and supportive environment.

Located in the heart of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, Houghton and neighboring Hancock offer an extraordinary quality of life surrounded by Lake Superior’s natural beauty. Residents enjoy four-season outdoor recreation including hiking, skiing, snowmobiling, mountain biking, and kayaking, all paired with a welcoming small-town atmosphere rich in arts, culture, and history. Walking into the Portage Lake District Library, you are met with a view that makes it seem like the library is sitting right on the water, and the stone fireplace and natural tones of wood in the library are a perfect backdrop to this amazing vista. Home to Michigan Technological University, the area combines intellectual energy with Northwoods charm, creating a community where adventure and connection live side by side like shelves in a beloved library stack.