Position Available
Library Director
Bancroft Memorial Library
Hopedale, Massachusetts
JOB SUMMARY: Directs and coordinates the daily operations of the Library. Works with Trustees to develop annual budget and establish goals, objectives, priorities and strategies for the Library. Supervises and evaluates subordinate staff and provides opportunities for career development. Attends committees and organizational meetings which address Library issues and is the “public face” of the Library.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: The following functions are considered essential to this position:
Administration and Supervision Duties –
Manages the overall operations of the Library to ensure the effective and efficient operation of the system and to maintain the provision of quality services. Continually evaluates the effectiveness of Library services in relation to changing needs within the community. Recruits, selects and trains new personnel; assigns duties and makes reassignments as necessary to ensure most effective use of staff; coordinates the continuing training and development of the staff; performs annual evaluations of staff and makes appropriate personnel recommendations to the Board of Trustees; promotes an atmosphere conducive to effective communications between staff, director, and Board of Trustees. Conducts monthly staff meetings. Plans long and short-range goals, objectives, priorities and organizational structure
for the Library in conjunction with the Board of Trustees and helps develop plans to measure their effectiveness. Develops, communicates, and monitors policies, procedures, and standards for area of assignment; analyzes and evaluates Library policies, procedures and activities; interprets and implements policies approved by the Board and recommends adjustments to policy and planning to Board of Trustees Attends/Reports to the Board of Trustees on issues including, but not limited to:
- Attends Library Board meetings;
- Library issues including statistics and measurements on Library operations as well as special projects and/or problems;
- Prepares regular monthly reports for the Board of Trustees as well as annual reports for the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners and the Town of Hopedale;
- Prepares periodic and special activity reports as required and/or requested by the Board of Trustees;
- Works with the Board of Trustees in the development and preparation of the annual operating budget;
- Monitors expenditures and revenues to ensure all accounting practices are followed in accordance with the expenditure policy.
Plans, implements and maintains an effective customer service program. Promotes effective communication with Library patrons on issues regarding Library policies and services. Responds promptly and appropriately to all correspondence. Prepares and make Library payments to Town Treasurer as needed. Ensures that Library services and facilities comply with federal, state and town laws and regulations. Ensures that Library upgrades technology components as needed. Oversees grant writing and actively pursues supplemental sources of funding, including gifts, grants and coordinates with the Friends organization and other community service organization to develop fund raising activities.
Public Relations Duties:
Promotes and represents the Library at various functions such as making speeches, and/or attending civic, school and business associations within the community to establish and maintain goodwill and to respond to issues where appropriate. Plans, implements and maintains an effective marketing and communication plan for the Library. This includes but is not limited to:
- Routinely write and publish newsletters, flyers, and other appropriate publications designed to promote the Library and its services including a weekly article for publication in the local newspaper;
- Development of special projects to promote Library services;
- Creation and implementation of a user-friendly and informative Library web presence;
- Works proactively with school media personnel to maximize resources to the community and to promote an understanding and awareness of the Library and its services
Oversees development of library programming, including research on prospective speakers. Encourages staff to initiate new programs and to participate in community activities. Works closely with Friends of the Hopedale Library and provides resources and assistance as required. Maintains active involvement in local, regional, state and national professional organizations and attends professional meetings and seminars.
Collection Development Duties:
Oversees the selection and general collection of books and other items and resources contained in the Library, review major selection tools, approve Library purchase orders, review books, periodicals and collections which are outdated or not used, and coordinate the removal of such items and the upgrade of such collections to meet current patron needs. This includes but is not limited to
-Continuing development of Library Materials Selection/Collection policy
-Solicitation of suggestions from staff, Trustees, and library users for additions to the Library collection
-Continuing development of donation/gifts policy on materials offered to the Library
- Methodology for weeding materials from the collection and overseeing the Library book sales
Facility Maintenance Duties:
Contracts for and oversees necessary repair work throughout the building and grounds. Oversees completion of regular maintenance procedures. Reviews need for and acquisition of necessary service contracts. Works with Board of Trustees to evaluate space needs and oversees facilities changes.
Library Wide Standards:
Is outgoing and friendly and works effectively with staff, patrons, Board of Trustees, Town Administrator, as well as other department heads within the Town of Hopedale.
- Demonstrates initiative, is a self-starter
- Demonstrates ability to focus on details
- Actively cooperates with others, promotes teamwork
- Adheres to Library policies, procedures and standard practices
- Conforms to standards of professional behavior
- Demonstrates ability to organize work and carry through established procedures and performs duties in a friendly, courteous manner. Performs other related duties as assigned.
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VOCATIONAL PREPARATION AND KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY
REQUIREMENTS:
M.L.S. or equivalent graduate degree from an institution accredited by the American Library Association is high desirable. Three to five years prior public library management experience including personnel supervision, budget management, and policy development highly desirable. Has personable attitude, strong oral and written communication skills and the ability to develop comfortable working relationships with the public, staff, Trustees and local government officials. Is value oriented, credible, and has open door policy. Is knowledgeable in professional library skills and techniques used in all aspects of public library work. Knowledge of integrated library systems required. Knowledge and understanding of the role of appropriate technology in a library setting is necessary.
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS:
Job requires frequent walking, standing and stair climbing. Physical stamina is required, as well as the ability to lift at least 20 pounds, to push and pull full loaded book carts and other library equipment and materials.
Good alpha-numeric skills necessary.
Ability to listen, understand, and interpret patron and staff requests and questions critical.
Self motivation, a professional attitude, and a sense of commitment are necessary.
Good sense of humor a definite plus.
Employee should be able to work under pressure most of the time.
Accountability: The Library Director reports to the Library Board of Trustees
Normal hours of duty: The Library Director works most normal daytime business hours and is available for meetings and other activities as necessary. Weekend and/or evening hours may be required. The Library Director or his/her designated substitute is on call for emergencies 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.
Equipment Used: Computer terminals/keyboards, microcomputers and peripheral, typewriters, laser scanners, photocopiers, calculators, facsimile machine and small hand tools.
TYPICAL PHYSICAL ACTIVITY REQUIREMENTS:
LIFT:
- Up to 10 lbs.: Frequently required.
- 11 to 25 lbs.: Frequently required
- 26 to 50 lbs.: Occasionally required.
- Over 50 lbs.: Not required
CARRY:
- Up to 10 lbs.: Frequently required.
- 11 to 25 lbs.: Frequently required.
- 26 to 50 lbs.: Frequently required.
- Over 50 lbs.: Not required.
REACH:
- Above shoulder height: Frequently required.
- At shoulder height: Frequently required.
- Below shoulder height: Frequently required.
PUSH/PULL: Frequently required.
TWISTING: Frequently required.
BENDING: Frequently required.
CRAWLING: Not required.
SQUATTING: Frequently required.
KNEELING: Occasionally required.
CROUCHING: Occasionally required.
CLIMBING: Rarely required.
BALANCING: Occasionally required.
GRASPING: Frequently required.
HANDLING: Frequently required.
TORQUING: Occasionally required.
FINGERING: Frequently required.
DURING AN 8 HOUR DAY, EMPLOYEE IS TYPICALLY REQUIRED TO:
CONSECUTIVE HOURS:
Sit: 2 hours
Stand: 2 hours
Walk: 1 hour
TOTAL HOURS:
Sit: 4 hours
Stand: 3 hours
Walk: 1 hour
COGNITIVE AND SENSORY REQUIREMENTS:
TALKING: Necessary for communicating with others
HEARING: Necessary for receiving instructions and information.
SIGHT: Necessary for performing job effectively.
TASTING & SMELLING: Not required.
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