Experiential Learning Manager

Description Experiential Learning Manager (Central Library)

The Lexington Public Library (LPL) is a dynamic organization that strives to educate, entertain, and connect all people who live, work, or play in the greater Lexington area. Library staff provide excellent customer service, a welcoming environment, and a commitment to LPL’s mission and core values, which can be found here.

To keep LPL progressing forward, the Experiential Learning Manager provides strategic and operational leadership for the experiential learning spaces, advancing the library’s mission while creating a welcoming, vibrant space for the community. This role champions the principles of librarianship and models a strong commitment to outstanding customer service, innovation, curiosity and lifelong learning. The Experiential Learning Manager leads and develops staff, oversees programs, equipment budgets and spaces, and uses data and community insight to guide decisions and improve services. Through collaboration, outreach and thoughtful leadership, the Experiential Learning Manager builds strong partnerships and ensures the library remains a trusted, responsive, and engaging community resource.

Salary Range $59,751.00 - $87,519.00 (starting salary will depend upon skills and experience)

Primary Work Schedule Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm. Position requires flexibility to help with staff coverage and events, which may include evening and weekend hours.

Applications for this position will be accepted until 11:59pm on Friday, November 27, 2026.

As an Experiential Learning Manager, a typical day may include the following…

• Uphold the principles of librarianship, including intellectual freedom, confidentiality, and ethical service, and articulate the value of library services in accordance with the ALA Library Bill of Rights and Code of Ethics
• Manage the overall operation of the Experiential Learning Spaces in alignment with the library’s vision, strategic goals, and service priorities, modeling a passion for outstanding customer service.
• Provide leadership and supervision to Experiential Learning staff, fostering a culture of exemplary customer service, teamwork, curiosity, innovation and continuous improvement.
• Establish and maintain a safe, welcoming, and well-managed public environment by enforcing library policies and the code of conduct.
• Oversee the planning, evaluating, and promoting of library programs and services that meet community needs and support lifelong learning.
• Oversee equipment/software purchases and maintenance to ensure that equipment meets community interests and library goals.
• Prepare budget requests, monitor expenditures, and manage branch operations within allocated budgets.
• Oversee the preparation and analysis of statistical, financial, and operational reports; identify trends and recommend strategies to improve efficiency and service.
• Collect, analyze, and interpret library service, program, and usage data to identify trends, evaluate outcomes, and support data-informed planning and decision-making.
• Share innovative ideas and best practices through participation in systemwide committees, meetings and planning efforts.
• Build and maintain partnerships with community leaders, schools, organizations, and vendors to promote and expand library services and outreach.
• Represent the library at community events, professional meetings, and conferences.
• Maintain awareness of professional, community, and national trends affecting library services and proactively apply new ideas and approaches.
• Work collaboratively with the Library Foundation, other departments, and branches to research and develop grant proposals as appropriate.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

This job may be a good fit for you if you have…

• Bachelor’s Degree required.
• Five years of relevant experience required.
• Three years of supervisory experience required.
• Thorough knowledge of Experiential Learning equipment, software, and emerging technologies.
• Thorough knowledge of public library principles, practices, services and the ethical standards of librarianship, including intellectual freedom and confidentiality.
• Knowledge of current and emerging customer service best practices and public service operations.
• Knowledge of programming and outreach
• Strong leadership and supervisory skills
• Strong organizational and administrative skills, with the ability to manage daily operations, budgets, workflows, and multiple priorities across varying locations
• Ability to analyze statistical and operational data to improve services, efficiency, and decision-making.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, with the ability to clearly explain policies and services.
• Ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with staff, community partners, schools, vendors and other stakeholders.
• Ability to promote library services, programs and equipment through outreach and partnerships.
• Ability to inspire innovations, curiosity, and high performance in staff.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment, maintain confidentiality, and manage challenging situations professionally.
• Ability to adapt to change, stay current with professional and community trends, and implement new ideas and technologies.
• Working knowledge of personal computers and software in both a Windows and Mac environment and related information technologies
• Must successfully pass a background investigation.
• Must have a valid driver’s license, with a safe driving record and reliable transportation.

Here’s what we have to offer…

• Flexible scheduling (That hard-to-get appointment that can only be scheduled during work? Don’t worry. We can be flexible.)
• Competitive compensation based on skills and experience
• Excellent medical (HDHP/HSA & PPO), dental, vision, life insurance (employer paid), short-term disability, long-term disability, and employee assistance program. Flexible benefits - choose what you like, ignore the rest
• Vacation, Sick, Holiday, Personal Days
• Pension plan with company contribution (because you will retire someday). Full-time employees participate in and contribute to Kentucky Public Pensions Authority (Formerly Kentucky Retirement Systems)
• 401k, 457, & IRA
• Exceptional training and support to give you the resources you need to be successful
• Employee discounts (YMCA, cell phone stipends, etc.)
• Free Parking
• And a great team of coworkers committed to helping others succeed

Equal Employment Opportunity Policy People are selected to become members of the LPL family based on skill, merit and talent - not based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), parental status, national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), political affiliation, military service, or other non-merit based factors. These protections extend to all management practices and decisions, including recruitment and hiring, appraisal systems, promotions, training, and career development programs. Consistent with these obligations, LPL also provides reasonable accommodations to employees and applicants with disabilities and for sincerely held religious beliefs, observances and practices. If things aren’t fair, we all lose.

Physical and Mental Requirements

Must have the ability to:

• Work in a library environment, including standing, walking, squatting, and sitting for extended periods and using standard library and office equipment. Ability to manage multiple tasks and adapt to changing priorities. Ability to occasionally lift, move, or shelve materials weighing up to 25 pounds. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals to perform the essential functions of the position.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Working Conditions

• Work involves exposure to normal, everyday risks and working conditions involved in public and non-public environments and with staff and customers.
• Activities may require travel throughout the Lexington, Fayette County community and require incumbent to have or arrange for own transportation.