Library Director | Manchester-by-the-Sea Public Library, (Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA)

Posted May 18, 2023

The Manchester-by-the-Sea Library Board of Trustees seeks a Full-time Library Director. The position of Library Director works closely with an engaged Board and leads a passionate full- time staff of four and a diverse team of part-time employees and volunteers. As a town department head, the Director is an active budget and policy development leader. The position supports the interest, needs, community usage, programs, and services while fostering a cooperative and collaborative work environment. The successful candidate must possess exceptional interpersonal and communication skills.

Warm and welcoming, the coastal town of Manchester-by-the-Sea, Massachusetts Public Library is well known for its dynamic and evolving collection, the busy foot traffic, and the historic building first opened in 1887. The leader we seek will be a key cog in the workings of the library, responsible for the daily operations of the library, responding to the interest, needs, and usage of the community, and equally enthusiastic in meeting with patrons as with town administration, suppliers, volunteers, and Library Friends.

The Library Board is actively pursuing an expansion of library space and services. The preferred candidate will be comfortable managing long-term planning and redevelopment projects.

The salary range is $80,000 to $85,000, commensurate with experience and an excellent benefits package.

Position Purpose:
The Library Director is responsible for the management and operation of the library and its programs and services in accordance with the policies from, and in coordination with of the Board of Library Trustees. Serving as an active leader in budget and policy development the Director works in close cooperation with the Board. The Director performs supervisory, administrative, and professional work in planning, organizing and directing all library services and activities. They are responsible for the daily operations of
the library, and respond to interest, needs, and usage of the community. Performs all other related work as required.

Essential Functions:
(The essential functions or duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types 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.)

Directs and supervises all library activities including but not limited to: programming, materials selection, collection development, business functions and plant operations, personnel concerns, genre and audience services (technical, youth, etc), and community relations.
Develops and administers the annual budget; monitors expenditures, including payroll; prepares financial and statistical reports; issues payables and estimates needed work and upcoming costs.
Hires library staff members including: recruiting, training, discipline, performance evaluation and dismissal. Supervises, full and part-time staff and volunteers; Holds regular staff meetings with full- time personnel.
Takes a leadership role in long-term planning in accordance with MBLC guidelines for community and state.
Serves as the primary liaison with Town Government and Town Department Heads as well as the Friends of the Library and other concerned organizations.
In conjunction with Library Department Heads; researches, reviews, and orders materials in support of the Board-approved collection development policy; oversees the creation and implementation of programs and services.
Responsible for building maintenance in coordination with town Facilities Manager, including systems and equipment; oversees maintenance and repair activities; oversees and approves scheduled use of library by outside groups.
Researches and applies for grant dollars; and other service enhancing opportunities.
Keeps informed of current developments in library fields by attending workshops, professional meetings, and reading current literature.
Generates reports on library consumption as needed, files, annual state reports, consortium data driven reports, monthly reports to Trustees and the Town Administrator.
Performs similar or related work as required, directed or as situation dictates.

Recommended Minimum Qualifications:
Education, Training and Experience:
Master’s Degree in Library Science; eight years of progressively responsible experience in library administration, including personnel management, fiscal management, program development and facility management; five years of experience in a supervisory capacity including demonstrated leadership qualities and experience leading and mentoring staff. State Certification of Librarianship from the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners required; or any equivalent and relevant combination of education, training and experience.

Knowledge, Ability and Skill:
Knowledge: A thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of professional library work in the digital age including: collection development across all genres and formats including LOT, administration, personnel and finance. Building maintenance and long-range facilities development. Working knowledge of computerization and appropriate library applications. Working knowledge of state procurement laws and laws pertaining to governance of public libraries.

Ability: Ability to supervise staff in an effective and supportive manner. Ability to establish and maintain working relationships with organizations, departments and officials. Ability of leadership, independent judgment, initiative and decision-making. Ability to plan, implement, and evaluate effective library services, strategies, facilities and staff. Ability to communicate effectively. Ability to operate standard office equipment.
Skill: Excellent planning and organizational skills. Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Proficient computer skills and budgetary skills; interpersonal and problem-solving skills. Strong
supervisory and mentoring skills.

Physical 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 essential functions.

Moves books and other library materials, regularly required to walk, stand; handles, feels or operates
objects, tools, or controls, and picks-up paper, books, and other common objects; stoops, kneels, crouches, replaces books on shelves, and reaches to high-level shelves. Operates a keyboard at an efficient speed, lifts and/or moves objects weighing up to 30 pounds such as books, equipment, supplies, etc. Vision and hearing at or correctable to normal ranges, Communicates verbally and in writing.

Supervision:
Supervision Scope: Performs highly responsible work of a complex nature which involves the exercise of independent judgment and initiative in planning and overseeing the administration of the municipal library and in the development and delivery of library services to meet individual and community needs. Supervision Received: Work is performed under the policy direction of the Library Board of Trustees acting as Town per contract.
Supervision Given: Provides supervision of library full time and part time employees, developing job direction, assigning tasks, instructions and monitoring performance.

Job Environment:

Work is performed under typical office and library conditions; the noise level is often moderate;
occasionally may be required to work outside of normal business hours. Library hours may require
attendance at evening meetings and the employee is on call to respond to emergency situations.

Operates computer, telephone, facsimile machine, copier, calculator and other standard office equipment.

Employee has frequent contact with the general public, other library directors, schools, town departments, the Library Board of Trustees, vendors, service providers, and state and regional agencies. Contacts are in person, by telephone, and by email and involve an information exchange dialogue.

Has access to all department-related confidential information, including personnel record, bid documents and patron records.

Errors could result in adverse public relations, injuries to other employees, damage to the library building and equipment, reduction in the level of library service and have legal and/or financial repercussions for the city.
(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.)

How to Apply

Interested candidates should send a cover letter, resume, and references to Michellelee
Maloney, Director of Human Resources, at [email protected]. The closing date for
this posting will be June 19th, 2023, at 5:00 pm. MBTS is an AA/EOE
The library website may be viewed at https://www.manchesterpl.org/