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Library Director, Sargent Memorial Library, Boxborough, MA

Posted February 16, 2018

The Town of Boxborough is an engaged community of about 5000 residents. The Sargent Memorial Library is a town treasure and has twice been recognized as one of America’s Star Libraries. The library is a vibrant community center enjoyed by residents of Boxborough and adjoining towns. Our building is a modern, well-appointed, purpose-built facility. We circulate close to 150,000 print and digital items annually. The director position is ideal for a qualified, experienced library professional looking to support our quest to provide life-long learning opportunities.

The Library Director is responsible for:

  • Meeting the information and library needs of all patrons.
  • Supervising the operations of the library, including budget and facilities.
  • Planning and formulating services and policies.
  • Directing, training, and supervising staff.
  • Providing opportunities for cultural, educational, or entertaining programming.
  • Acquiring and maintaining print, electronic, media, and other materials and information sources.
  • Representing the library to the community and the town.
  • Working with outside vendors and contractors.
  • Pursuing grant funding from state and federal sources.
  • Reporting to the Board of Trustees.

Candidates should be able to make independent judgments and decisions; foster positive relationships with residents, and town employees and boards; provide an encouraging work environment for staff; make suggestions for programming and materials to keep the library current; engage our active seniors as well as our children and young adults; and make the library a welcoming place for our culturally-diverse community.

 

Position Purpose

The Library Director is responsible for providing leadership for the library system by directing and managing the Sargent Memorial Library. This work is accomplished by anticipating, discovering, and working to meet the information and library needs of all patrons; planning and formulating services and policies; directing, training and supervising staff for optimal service; acquiring, maintaining and creating access to collections of print, electronic, media, other forms of information and materials which meet the needs of the library’s patrons. The Library Director is responsible for maintaining and improving upon the efficiency and effectiveness of all areas under his/her direction and control. The Library Director performs all other related work as required. 

Supervision

Supervision Scope: The Library Director performs complex duties requiring a high level of independent judgment in the planning, administration, and execution of the department’s programs and services, and the direction of library personnel. 

 

Supervision Received:

The Library Director works under the direction of a six-member elected Board of Library Trustees. The Library Director makes recommendations and decisions regarding department policies, procedures, operations, and plans in accordance with state, federal, and local guidelines

 

Supervision Given:

The Library Director has supervisory responsibility for all library staff and volunteers. Hires staff, provides direct daily direction, prepares employee performance evaluations, is responsible for operation costs and methods, and counsels staff consistent with library policies.

 

Distinguishing Characteristics:

This is a highly public, responsible position. The Library Director has frequent interactions with other department heads, residents, parents, children, committees, boards and commissions, media, and government officials, vendors, contractors, and paid performers. Represents Library organization at network meetings on regional, state, and national level. The Library Director has access to confidential information involving personnel, bid proposals, and patron information protected under MGL 78. Responds to inquiries pertaining to the library from all Town Departments at any time necessary. Judgment includes interpretation of statutes, bylaws, and codes. Errors of omission or commission may result in financial loss, delay, or loss of services, and/or damage to the building. The Director is frequently called upon to solve problems that arise either in serving the public or overseeing the library building and services.

 

Examples of Work 

Operations

  • Plans and supervises the operation of the public library in the town; recommends library policies, programs, and procedures. Responsible for the delivery of public services to citizens utilizing the public library, and for the efficient administration and management of the library.
  • Orders all supplies, equipment, and materials needed for the day-to- day operations of the Library.
  • Executes all library policies promulgated by the Board of Library Trustees; acts as Trustees’ liaison with other town departments, with the Town’s state legislators and with representatives of the Board of Library Commissioners.
  • Responsible for the management of the physical assets, as well as the preventative maintenance programs associated with, the care and upkeep of, the library physical plant, maintenance systems, and grounds. Informs DPW of simple maintenance needs. Establishes agreements and contracts with service providers and vendors.
  • Attends meetings of the Board of Library Trustees and advises Trustees of programs, service, facility, planning, personnel and policy matters requiring consideration or action.
  • Presents a written Director’s Report at all Library Trustees’ meetings identifying the progress and up to date status of library operating budget, on-going library services and programs and all matters requiring their attention.
  • Attends all Town and Special Town Meetings, representing the Library to the community and Town Meeting attendees.  
  • Prepares a yearly written report of all library activities for inclusion in the Town of Boxborough Annual Report.   

Budget

  • Develops and prepares the annual operating budget, personnel budget, and capital outlay programs for the approval of the Board of Library Trustees, town boards, and Town Meeting. Develops and prepares long-range planning for the library facility and the operational growth of the library, based upon established goals and related performance data, as promulgated by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners.  
  • Supervises the cost effective and judicious expenditure of all appropriated town funds, foundation funds, gift monies, state aid awards, and grant monies. Pursues alternative cooperative purchasing options with other Town Departments, with network and system libraries and state contracts. Assures appropriate fiscal monitoring and reporting.  
  • Pursues grant funding from state and federal sources, from foundations and corporate donors to promote, enhance, and create new library services, programs, and collections. Administers grant and foundation funds according to specified guidelines and files all necessary reports within specified time frames.
  • Stays informed of, and insures effective utilization of, all services available from state and library system agencies, and pertinent humanities agencies providing funding and programming resources.

Materials

  • Develops and directs the implementation of the Library’s Material Selection Policy and Collection Development Policy and instructs and directs the staff in compliance with same.
  • Selects materials offered to the public. Reads reviews and makes decisions regarding all purchase and weeding of materials.
  • Manages all aspects of emerging technology-related library functions both internal and consortium-related; investigates and recommends to the Board of Trustees technological enhancements to service programs and materials delivery. Oversees technology inventory, warranties, and purchasing of replacement equipment.    
  • Supervises the cataloging and processing of books and other library materials, and all aspects of circulation by library staff members. 

Professional Expectations

  • Keeps informed of professional issues, trends, and attitudes through reading professional and managerial literature, listservs, newsletters, and journals.
  • Maintains affiliations with local, state, and national professional organizations; attends workshops, seminars, and conferences addressing current professional issues, trends and developments. 
  • Attends regular C/WMARS Network meetings, training workshops and oversees implementation of the Network. Attends meetings, workshops, and roundtables of MA Library System and MA Board of Library Commissioners. 
  • Actively supports state and federal legislation designed to aid and enhance library services and development.

Community

  • Promotes library services to the community, including participation in various civic organizations, speaking to groups, and meeting with individuals.  Promotes and publicizes library activities. 
  • Implements and directs the library’s community relations and public relations programs, while administering community relations projects for the library. 
  • Plans, prepares, promotes and implements all adult programming.
  • Regularly recruits, schedules and publicizes local artists for rotating art exhibits in library meeting room.
  • Schedules library meeting room usage with local community organizations.
  • Selects museum passes to be purchased and oversees renewals by Friends of the Library.
  • Attends regular meetings of the Friends of the Boxborough Library; prepares a written or oral report, requests support of library programs and services, tracks all funds expended by Friends group.


 

Personnel

  • Recruits, selects, evaluates, promotes, reviews, and disciplines library staff. Encourages continued staff education and professional growth. Develops work schedules and administers personnel policies in accordance with the Town of Boxborough Personnel Administration Plan.  
  • Provides leadership in establishing effective working relationships and communication, ensuring high productivity, and encouraging initiative and creativity. 

 

And performs all other position related duties as required.

 

Recommended Minimum Qualifications

A Master’s Degree in Library Science, accredited by the American Library Association, with Massachusetts Board of Library commissioners’ certification, as well as five years previous experience in a public library setting, preferably in an administrative position, or any equivalent combination of education and experience. Requires sound knowledge and understanding of local and state statues relating to the operation of a municipal library as well as solid background in personnel, planning, programming, public service, and fiscal management.

 

Job Environment

Work is performed in typical office environment, subject to quiet or moderate noise. The employee is frequently required to make decisions.  The employee is regularly required to sit, talk, and hear. Specific vision abilities include close vision and the ability to focus. The need to assure safety and health of staff and patrons is sometimes highly stressful. The need to respond to competing needs or resolve conflicts is frequently stressful. 

The physical demands listed are representative of those that must be met by the employee to successfully perform the essential function of the job.  Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job. 

This is a minimum 40 hours per week salaried position as Department Head.

Please send resumes and any supporting documents to [email protected].

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