It’s time for a new director at the Dickinson Memorial Library…………..
The Town of Northfield is seeking a qualified individual to serve as the Director of the Dickinson Memorial Library. The Library Director will be responsible for the management and operation of the Dickinson Memorial Library, serving a community of 3,000 people with an annual budget of approx. $175,000. Duties include materials selection, staff supervision, program development, budget management and monitoring building maintenance. Recommends policies and budget to, and works closely with, the Library Board of Trustees and Northfield Town Administration.
Requires a resourceful, energetic individual able to communicate and work well with both the staff and public.
MLS preferred and three-year’s experience in a public library, or an equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.
Salary starts at $55,000. The Director works 40 hours per week including 1 evening and Saturdays.
Interested applicants submit a letter of interest, resume and 3 professional references to:
Mail: Email:
Dickinson Memorial Library northfield@cwmars.org
115 Main Street Subject line:
Northfield, MA 01360 Library Director Position
Closing date: Friday May 7, 2021
TOWN OF NORTHFIELD JOB DESCRIPTION
| Position Title: | Library Director | Grade Level: | 10 |
| Department | Library Department | Date: | Dec. 16, 2014 |
| Reports to: | Board of Library Trustees | FLSA Status | Exempt |
Statement of Duties: The Library Director is responsible for the management, operations and programs of service of the public library, including budget management, personnel administration, collection development, programming, maintenance of building and grounds and provides leadership for improving public library services to the community. The employee is required to perform all similar or related duties.
Supervision Required: The employee works under the administrative and policy direction of Board of Library Trustees with guidance from the Town Administrator and the Board of Selectmen. Working from policies and objectives, employee is responsible for establishing short and long-range objectives, own performance standards and assumes direct accountability for department results. Employee consults with the Town Administrator only where clarification, interpretation, or exception to municipal policy may be required. The employee is responsible for the development and implementation of departmental policies, goals, objectives and operating budgets. The employee is also expected to attempt to resolve conflicts which arise and coordinate with others as necessary.
Supervisory Responsibility: The Library Director is accountable for the direction and success of department programs and/or activities accomplished through others. The department head is responsible for analyzing program objectives, determining the various work operations needed to achieve them, estimating the financial and staff resources required, allocating the available funds and staff, reporting periodically on the achievement and status of department and employee objectives; and recommending new goals as necessary to improver the quality and effectiveness of library services. The employee typically formulates or recommends the department’s organizational structure operating guidelines and work operations; formulates, prepares and defends operating budgets, and accounts for the effective use of department funds and staff; coordinates program efforts within the unit and with other departments; delegates authority to subordinate employees and holds them responsible for the performance of their work; reviews work in terms of accomplishment of program objectives and prepares progress reports; establishes the department’s operating practices and is responsible for the department’s personnel function, including recommending the hiring, disciplining and training of employees.
Employee is responsible for the direct supervision of four (4) part-time employees. The staff size is well established and relatively stable throughout the fiscal year.
Confidentiality: In accordance with the State Public Records law, the employee has regular access to confidential information of the department including but not limited to official personnel files, , department or library patron records.
Accountability: Consequences of errors or poor judgment may include missed deadlines, adverse public relations, monetary loss, legal repercussions, labor/material costs, personal injury, endanger public health/safety, and jeopardize programs.
Judgment: Work is based on administrative or departmental policies, general principals, legislation or directives that pertain to the Library Department. Extensive judgment and ingenuity is required to develop new or adapt existing methods and approaches for accomplishing objectives or to deal with new or unusual requirements within the limits of established guidelines or policies. The employee is recognized as the Library Department or functional area’s authority in interpreting the guidelines, in determining how they should be applied, and in developing operating policies and practices.
Complexity: The work consists of employing many different concepts, theories, principles, techniques and practices relating to an administrative field. Assignments typically concern such matters as studying trends in the field for application to the work; assessing services and recommending improvements.
Work Environment: Work is performed in a public library setting subject to frequent interruptions. Noise or physical surroundings may be distracting, but working conditions are generally not unpleasant. The employee may be required to work beyond normal business hours in accordance with the library’s scheduled hours of service, to attend meetings of the Board of Library Trustees or to attend library sponsored events or meetings with other departments.
Nature and Purpose of Relationships: Relationships are constantly with co-workers, the public, groups and/or individuals such as civic leaders, peers from other organizations, representatives of professional organizations, and the news media. The employee serves as a spokesperson or recognized authority of the organization in matters of substance or considerable importance, including departmental practices, procedures, regulations or guidelines. May be required to discuss controversial matters where tact is required to avoid friction and obtain cooperation.
Occupational Risk: Duties generally do not present occupational risks to the employee.
Essential Functions:
The essential functions or duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various type of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.
Plans and supervises the operation of the public library including the development of library policies, programs and related service.
Studies and makes plans to develop the services of the library to more effectively meet the present and future needs of the community. Studies community and area trends and evaluates their relation to the library and to monitor service accomplishments against recognized standards.
Advises, consults, and confers with the Board of Library Trustees, other libraries, and professionals, officials (at state and local levels), citizens, and community groups regarding library services and operations.
Supervises the development and application of technology in support of library services.
Responsible, directly or through delegation, for library services, operations and activities, including material selection, weeding and overall collection development, cataloging and other technical service operations, reference and other services provided to the general public and special user groups, community relations, library promotion, and building and grounds maintenance.
Attends all meeting of the Board of Library Trustees; reports on library activities and other issues; contributes suggestions and ideas during the decision-making process; keeps the Board informed of relevant issues and developments at the regional, state and federal levels.
Participates in the planning process to develop goals and objectives for both short-range and long-range needs, as well as improvements in existing library services; identifies and addresses community and library needs; provides direction for library development; recommends, implements and interprets policies adopted by the Board of Library Trustees.
Responsible for budget management, including the recommendation of the annual budget to the Board of Library Trustees; participates in the presentation to the Finance Committee; oversees the expenditure of town and trust funds; maintains financial records; advises the Board on the availability of additional funding.
Serves as the library’s liaison with town government and the community; speaks before groups and boards, as required.
Develops and implements public relations programs; ensures library programs and services are readily available to meet the needs of the community.
Selects, hires, trains, supervises and evaluates personnel.
Participates in professional meetings and educational activities to maintain up-to-date knowledge of current library trends at the local, regional and state levels.
Responsible for promoting and publicizing library activities and programs through maintenance of the library’s website, preparation of written materials, social media and other appropriate outlets.
Prepares and presents the library’s annual operating budget and Trust Fund expenditures.
Prepares grant applications and seeks funding for operational and improvement programs.
Actively seeks grants, gifts, and other new sources of non-tax funding in support of library services and programs.
Oversees the repair and maintenance of the library’s physical plant including surrounding grounds.
Maintains current knowledge of new developments in the field of library science and related services including technology. Educates staff and patrons on e-resources and emerging technologies.
Serves as liaison to various town, state, civic and community organizations; speaks to groups and individuals to provide information and/or to advocate for library services.
Prepares reports for the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners as required.
Recommended Minimum Qualifications:
Education and Experience: Must have a Master’s degree in Library Science; five to seven (5-7) years of library administration and supervisory experience; or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience. This section is being updated. See recent position posting.
Special Requirements: A candidate for this position must obtain a Certificate of Librarianship from the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners within three (3) years of appointment.
Knowledge, Abilities and Skill
Knowledge: Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of professional library services and the organization and management of library operations as well as information technology practices and procedures in support of library and reference functions. Knowledge of administrative and supervisory practices and techniques including budgetary and personnel management practices as well as facilities management. Basic knowledge of government.
Abilities: Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with library staff, other town departments, local officials, the Board of Library Trustees, Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners and patrons of the library; ability to manage library operations, implement policies and programs, communicate effectively in writing and orally.
Skills: Skill in leadership, motivation, building relationships, customer service, and developing programs and services to meet the needs of the community. Proficient organization, planning and technology skills are required as well as a broad interest in written, audio and visual materials for persons of all ages.
Physical and Mental Requirements
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 position’s essential functions.
Physical Skills: Work effort principally involves sitting and standing with extended periods of bending, walking, kneeling, twisting and reaching with hands or arms to reach or retrieve library materials furniture, fixtures and other department equipment
Motor Skills: Duties may involve assignments requiring the application of hand and eye coordination with finger dexterity and motor coordination to operate a personal computer, library equipment and to stock or remove books and materials from shelving in the library.
Visual Skills: The employee is required to routinely read documents and reports for analysis and understanding.
This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee, and is subject to change by the employer, as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.