Colorado State Librarian

Colorado seeks an experienced, collaborative, and forward-looking library leader to serve as State Librarian, guiding statewide library development, resource sharing, accessible library services, institutional library support, state publications, grants, research, and partnerships that strengthen library service for communities across the state. The State Librarian leads the Colorado State Library, a unit of the Colorado Department of Education, and oversees approximately 40 employees and an annual budget of approximately $10 million in state, federal, and other funds.

The Colorado State Library (CSL) supports libraries and library-related services across Colorado through statewide leadership, consultation, professional development, resource sharing, and programs that expand access to information and learning. Guided by strategic priorities focused on learning for all, resource sharing, professional development for library staff, and services to underserved populations, CSL works in collaboration with library staff in all 64 counties to support equitable service for Coloradans.

The next State Librarian will join CSL at a time of opportunity, with responsibility for sustaining essential statewide services, strengthening partnerships across Colorado’s library ecosystem, stewarding state and federal resources, and supporting libraries in their response to changing community, educational, technological, and access needs. Recent CSL impact includes:

• Distributing more than $2.9 million in State Grants to Libraries funding to support collections and technology;
• Funding and supporting the SWIFT resource sharing platform used by 123 small, rural, and institutional libraries to borrow and lend over 110,000 items annually;
• Reaching 97% of all types of libraries through grants, and supporting nearly 40 state-run institutional libraries;
• Offering more than 9.0+ million pages through the Colorado Historic Newspapers Collection;
• Providing access to 54,144 titles and 184,781 items in the State Publications Collection;
• and circulating more than 765,000 items through the Colorado Talking Book Library.

Colorado offers a dynamic and varied statewide service landscape, from growing Front Range communities to rural, mountain, agricultural, Tribal, and plains communities with distinct needs and strengths. For a library leader committed to access, collaboration, and responsive service, the state offers meaningful opportunities to support libraries that serve as essential educational, cultural, and civic resources across all 64 counties.

Responsibilities include providing statewide leadership, support, and vision for libraries and library-related institutions across Colorado; fostering a cooperative and team-based environment for staff; overseeing resource sharing, grants, research, and other statewide services; creating and implementing the Library’s budget in cooperation with fiscal leaders; and advising the Commissioner, Chief External Relations Officer, leadership teams, and others on library matters. For a full list of responsibilities, please see the job description linked below.

Qualifications include an ALA-accredited master’s degree in library science; seven years of progressively responsible library experience, including five years of administrative experience in a library or library-related organization; the ability to work in Colorado and travel statewide; the ability to successfully pass a background check; and hold a valid driver’s license. Experience with fiscal management, strategic planning, budgets, and grants; leading managers or direct reports who supervise others; and administering public-sector, state, and/or federal funding streams is highly preferred.

This position may be eligible for hybrid or remote work within Colorado, subject to business needs, supervisor approval, annual agreements, performance expectations, secure work practices, and the ability to report to the CDE work location when requested. The successful candidate must perform work within Colorado, maintain a remote/home office, and travel statewide up to 25%, including some overnight travel; occasional out-of-state travel may be required for national library meetings and conferences.

Compensation: The hiring salary range is $135,000 – $175,000, with placement negotiable depending on experience and qualifications. An excellent fringe benefits package is included.

Interested candidates should submit their resume, cover letter, and online application on the State of Colorado Job Opportunities web site. Applications close Friday, August 28, 2026, 11:59 pm MDT.

Library and Community Links

• Colorado State Library
  
• Colorado Department of Education
  
• Colorado Talking Book Library
  
• Colorado Historic Newspapers Collection
• Colorado Virtual Library
• LRS.org
  
• Colorado State Publications Library
• Library Services and Technology Act / Five-Year Plan
  
• Colorado Association of Libraries
  
• Colorado Library Consortium
  
• Cost of Living Calculator