2010 Most Influential Women Honoree: Kim Flores

For Kim Flores, finding purpose comes when she is helping others, whether through her role as manager of the Springfield-Greene County Library District’s Republic branch or with different community groups.

“I believe the best leaders are those who value service,” she says. “My leadership style is centered around recognizing each team member and acknowledging (all) input in a positive way.”

Flores has a bachelor’s in psychology from Drury University and a master of library science from Texas Woman’s University School of Library and Information Studies. She joined the library district in 1995 as circulation/audiovisual department manager. She was named a children’s department manager in 1997, and served in that role before a promotion to branch manager in 2007.

At the Republic library branch, she supervises 12 staff members. She also is responsible for creating and maintaining the branch budget and promoting the library in the community.

Her belief that recognizing even small accomplishments leads to greater team member contributions means that no meeting is complete until she asks for suggestions from attendees.

“Consensus can be a far more motivating factor than contention,” she says.

As a supervisor, she also has ample opportunity to help her employees succeed.

“I feel very strongly about recognizing the unique talents of each staff member (and) finding ways to help them realize their potential, whether it’s by teaching a class, applying for a different position in the system (or) additional job assignments that will be fulfilling and further their prospects for the future,” she says.

Professionally, Flores says she’s most proud that so many of the young people
she’s supervised have gone on to successful careers as teachers and librarians.

“I hope that in some small way, I played a part in their success. I’m as proud of their accomplishments as any of my own,” she adds.

Through her work, Flores is co-chairwoman of The Big Read Committee, and she’s also involved with the library’s policy review committee and the long-range planning committees for collection services and community relations.

Working with training partner Melissa Davis, Flores has presented customer workshops within the library system and at the state level.

“We feel if we can raise the level of service provided by library institutions in Missouri, we are ultimately making a difference in the lives of thousands of people in our communities across the state,” Flores says.

She is a member of the Sunshine Elementary PTA, chairwoman of the PTA Reflections committee, secretary of the Marine Corps League Auxiliary, and president of the Republic Business and Community Women.

Flores also is active with the Republic Chamber of Commerce, most recently serving on the education committee, which planned and implemented a career fair for Republic High School Students. She’s also involved with Missouri State University’s Book Review Board, providing book reviews and community presentations as needed.[[In-content Ad]]