Library Director, Town of Lyme, Lyme, CT

Posted April 8, 2021

Description:

The Town of Lyme, a picturesque shoreline community of 2,300 residents that is known for its well-run town government, highly rated school system, and strong spirit of volunteerism, is seeking a dynamic director for its public library who is enthusiastic and knowledgeable about library service in the twenty-first century. The library’s mission statement is “to serve the town of Lyme as a community center for lifelong education, cultural and recreational activities, and evolving information needs.” The ideal candidate is a self-motivated individual with excellent communication skills and a strong public service orientation who will direct all operations of a modern and an award-winning library and lead the library in expanding its role in the community.

The director oversees a staff of six (3.1 FTE) employees, an annual budget of $195,000 (excluding benefits, utilities and maintenance of digital equipment and building/grounds), and a collection size of 23,000. A 2019 Strategic Plan, adopted by the library’s board of directors, outlines goals and strategies to be implemented over the next several years. These include: to evolve the library as a community center for the town; to increase library usage by improving programs and services; to enhance patron’s technology experiences; and to coordinate relationships with library affiliates, including a very active Friends of the Library, which makes most adult programming possible, and the Library Foundation, whose endowment has continued to grow because of its successful fundraising and which makes an annual financial contribution to library operations.

The ideal candidate will have demonstrable proficiency in:
-Current trends and best practices for operating a small library with a sophisticated patron base.
-Planning and coordinating the library’s budget and personnel.
-Innovative service and program development.
-Public speaking, communications, and development efforts, including grant writing.
-Working closely with the library’s board of directors.
-Building community relationships and working with public officials and community
organizations.

Qualifications: A Master’s in Library Science degree from an ALA-accredited school is preferred, plus three to five years of progressively related public library experience, including at least two with management experience. Candidates may be considered if they have demonstrated leadership and administrative skills, work experience in a public library, and an interest in further developing knowledge and skills relevant to library management and leadership. Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience. The Town of Lyme offers a generous benefits package.

How to Apply:

Applicants who share the library’s vision to be a community center for engagement and learning should send a cover letter and resume to: Chair, Library Search Committee via email at [email protected]. For more information about this position, go to https://bit.ly/2NNuUPc Applicant review will begin April 26, 2021, and will continue until position is filled. Currently the projected start date is September 1, 2021. The Lyme Public Library is an Equal Opportunity Employer.