Director of Public Library, Needham, MA
Posted September 12, 2023
Description
The Town of Needham seeks an energetic, engaged, and collaborative individual to fill the full-time position of Director of Public Library. This position oversees all Library operations to ensure effective and efficient delivery of Library services and activities. The Director, working closely with the Board of Library Trustees, provides vision and leadership for the library as a vital center of learning, culture and inclusion. The Needham Free Public Library is poised to move forward with robust community programming, innovative services, and building improvements to meet community needs. The successful candidate will continue the Library’s commitment to community enrichment and the implementation of the Library’s new 5-year strategic plan.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Plans, organizes, and directs all Library services and activities in collaboration with the Board of Trustees, the town government and Library staff;
- Advises the Trustees in formulating policies; implements policies as set by the Board; attends Trustee meetings; prepares monthly Director’s report and other financial statements; assists Trustee Chair in preparation of meeting agendas;
- Implements the Library’s strategic plan; conducts studies on work measures; observes the service given to the public in each department; arranges for evaluation to ensure prompt, courteous, and efficient service; oversees Library information systems including their review and upgrade; integrates Library services with other communities within the Minuteman Regional Library Network;
- Develops, prepares and submits annual budget for Trustees’ approval consistent with requirements for State aid; monitors and controls expenditures for equipment, books and other materials, supplies and salaries. Monitors building and grounds which are maintained by the Town;
- Supervises and conducts the Library’s Collection Development Program, including the selection and withdrawal of books, magazines and audio-visual and electronic materials and equipment; provides storage and security and assumes responsibility for the Town’s archival collection;
- Determines staffing levels within budgetary allowances; interviews, hires, schedules, supervises, evaluates, promotes, trains and develops Library employees directly or indirectly through the department supervisors;
- Ascertains community needs by developing associations with the public, community leaders, local officials and institutions; provides requested information and reference services; maintains liaison with Friends of the Library, Library Foundation of Needham and other community groups; serves as a voting member of the Minuteman Library Network Board of Directors and the Metrowest Regional Library System; and
- Represents the Library’s interests before the Select Board, Finance Committee, Personnel Board, Trust Fund Commissioners, Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) and with various library networks and professional associations.
Requirements
The following requirements may be substituted by any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the job:
To be considered for the position, applicants must have at least:
- Completion of graduate coursework equal to a Master’s Degree in Library Science,
- Supplemented by at least seven (7) years to ten (10) years of library service including progressive levels of supervisory, management and financial responsibilities,
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, and
- A passion for the work of libraries and a thorough knowledge of current trends, technologies and best practices for library services.