FULL-TIME EMPLOYMENT ABBOTT LIBRARY, Assistant Director, (Sunapee, NH)

Posted October 12, 2023

The Abbott Library in Sunapee, New Hampshire is seeking a dynamic and talented library
professional with proven management experience and excellent library skills to provide
leadership in its vibrant community library. This individual will work closely with the Library
Director in the management of the library and is responsible for the library in the Director’s
absence.
The ideal candidate is strategic, flexible, positive, creative, patient, decisive, and technologically
adroit. Additionally, the ideal candidate has demonstrated success aligning people, process and
technology; excellent leadership, communication, interpersonal and customer relationship skills;
and is committed to excellent patron service. A finely tuned sense of humor is not required but
highly beneficial.
Day-to-day responsibilities include collection development and management, working with the
Library Director to manage the budget for adult and non-print collections, assisting with
scheduling outside events, processing and cataloging, leading adult programming efforts, which
include planning and leading a monthly book discussion group, and assisting with staffing the
circulation desk.
This is a full-time position with benefits. The starting hourly rate of pay is $22.72-$24.56,
depending on education and experience, with the possibility of a step increase following
successful completion of a six-month probationary period. An MLS degree or equivalent library
experience is preferred. A full job description is available on request.
A resume and cover letter may be emailed to [email protected]. Applications received
before October 27, 2023, will receive first consideration. The position will be open until filled.

How to Apply

This position works in the Abbott Library and assists the Library Director in professional, administrative,
and supervisory work to plan, manage, and direct specific programs, staff, and operations of the public
library. In addition, this position acts as the Director in case of absence of the Director.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Assistant Director Duties
a. Executes library policies and the directions of the Director in all areas of library operation.
b. Assumes responsibility for library operations in Director’s absence.
c. May assist Director in a variety of strategic areas including: developing new policies, budget
preparation, long-range planning, preparing statistical and narrative reports, managing
Automated Library System, and developing a procedure manual, emergency procedures, and
other aids for staff and volunteers.
d. May assist Director in community relations, selection and training of new staff, evaluating staff,
managing volunteers and following volunteer best practices.
e. May assist the Director with grant writing and fundraising efforts.
f. Supervises and schedules volunteers.
g. Manages room reservation schedules.
Collection Development

a. Serves as the main point person for collection development efforts in adult fiction, adult non-
fiction, DVDs, and CDs.

b. Under the direction of the Director, manages the budgets related to the collection development
efforts listed directly above.
c. Selects new materials for library collections by evaluating review journals, publishers’ catalogs
and other on-line professional resources.
d. May approve or disapprove patrons’ requests for new materials by locating and evaluating
reviews.
e. Prepares new materials for circulation by labeling items based on the library’s classification
system. Places audio-visual materials into the proper cases. Edits records within local library
collection.
f. Catalogs books and other materials.
g. Under the direction of the Director, analyze existing collections for weaknesses and orders
materials to upgrade subject areas.
h. Under the direction of the Director, determines whether to withdraw, replace, or rebind
materials in the collection and works with library staff that assist with this process.
i. Assists in the purchasing of book processing supplies.
Programming
a. Plans and implements adult programming, including lectures, movie screenings, interactive
programs, musical acts, hands-on experiences (such as beading workshops, flower
arrangement demonstrations, weaving, etc.).

b. Manages program funds assigned to adult programming.
c. Schedules and leads adult drop-in groups (including the fiber arts group).
d. Plans and leads monthly book discussion group(s).
e. Promotes adult programming.
OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
a. Attends professional meetings, workshops, and classes.
b. Other duties and special projects as assigned by the Director.
SUPERVISORY CONTROLS
a. Assistant Director reports to the Library Director.
b. Assistant Director shall abide by the library’s mission statement and policies and work to
further the goals of the library.
GENERAL LIBRARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
a. Helps establish and maintain a high customer service performance standard.
b. Works at staff circulation desk as needed. Greets patrons when they enter the library and
performs all circulation duties, including: checking in and out library materials, notifying patrons
of holds, placing holds for patrons, registering new borrowers, maintaining current patron
information, and collecting fines and other fees for faxing or copies. Tracks Internet usage and
patron questions. Records patron attendance of all library programs.
c. Provides reader’s advisory, reference and technology help as needed. Assists patrons with
locating library materials, assists patrons with access to Internet workstations, assists patrons
with making photocopies and scans and assists in managing the meeting rooms and meeting
room scheduling.
d. Opens and closes the library as needed. At opening, assists with the emptying of the exterior
book drop. At closing, assists with shutting down all computers, entering daily statistics,
turning off all lights and locking all doors before leaving the building.
e. Ensures safe conditions for staff, public, and building operation. Takes appropriate action in
emergencies.
f. Create or oversee creation of library displays.
GUIDELINES
Guidelines include the Abbott Library’s policies and procedures, the Town of Sunapee Employee
Handbook, American Library Association’s (ALA) code of ethics, New Hampshire RSAs and other relevant
local, state and federal laws.
COMPLEXITY
The position includes a variety of complex duties and responsibilities including:
a. Ability to understand library principles, practices and policies and how to implement them within
the day-to-day function of a public library.
b. Ability to exercise independent judgment and consult the Director as necessary.
c. Ability to plan and lead book discussion groups.
d. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with library staff, employees in
other town departments, volunteers, and patrons.

SCOPE AND EFFECT
The scope of the position includes performing tasks required to maintain day-to-day operations within
the library and performing tasks required for the long-term, strategic advancement of the library.
PERSONAL CONTACTS
Contacts are typically made with the Library Director, other library staff, library patrons and the general
public. The contacts may also include committees or groups in a non-structured to well-structured
setting.
PURPOSE OF CONTACTS
The purpose is to provide outstanding service to all library patrons.
MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITY
a. When the Director is off duty, the Assistant Director shall assume the authority and
responsibility of making all decisions and of being the person in charge of other persons
working in the library.
b. The Assistant Director may instruct other workers and volunteers of duties and jobs to be
done when their assigned work is finished.

DESIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Professional Experience
a. Knowledge of library principles, methods, materials, and practices of library operation.
b. Knowledge of the theories, objectives, principles, and practices of public administration
as applied to a public library.
c. Ability to administer the activities of a public library and to oversee the work of others.
d. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with superiors,
subordinates, officials of other agencies and the general public.
e. Ability to effectively communicate in oral and written communications.
f. Ability to assess reader interest.
g. Ability to offer patrons basic and intermediate help with technology devices, software,
and apps.
h. Ability to use audio-visual technology, office equipment and library systems.
i. Ability to perform routine work well; to follow instructions and to accept responsibility.
j. Ability to arrange books alphabetically and numerically.
k. Neat, clean, friendly, can-do attitude with other staff and patrons, and willingness to
accommodate all patrons.
a. Commitment to expand skills and knowledge through continuing education courses
and workshops.
b. Sufficient general knowledge of everyday library procedures to permit running the library in
the Library Director’s absence.

Education
Master’s degree in library science or equivalent library experience is preferred, and required for Labor
Grade 12. Prior experience working in a public library is preferred and required for Labor Grade 12. Prior
library managerial experience is preferred.
LICENSING AND CERTIFICATION
Valid driver’s license or access to public transportation.

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT KNOWLEDGE & USE REQUIREMENTS
N/A
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
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:
a. for communicating with others, talking is required.
b. for receiving information and instructions from others, hearing is required; and
c. for doing the job effectively and correctly, sight is required, specifically, close vision and the
ability to adjust focus.
d. Possible exposure to photocopier fumes, inks and adhesives while performing work.
Applicants must be able to perform the essential job functions either unaided or with the assistance of
a reasonable accommodation to be determined on a case-by-case basis.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand; walk; sit; use
hands to finger, handle, feel or grasp; reach, grasp and torque with hands and arms; to speak, see, hear
and smell. The employee must occasionally lift, carry, and move up to 25 pounds, frequently reach
above and below shoulder height, and frequently required to push and /or pull. Other physical
demands include frequently twisting, bending, crawling, squatting, kneeling, crouching, climbing and
balancing.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee
encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be
made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Approximately 90% of the work is performed inside the library on a computer. The employee will be
expected to travel to various local, state and regional meetings and conferences.
WORK SCHEDULE
a. The Assistant Director is a full-time position and will be paid according to the Town of
Sunapee Labor Grade 11 or 12, depending on education and work experience.
b. Total work week hours for which the Assistant Director shall be paid are determined by
the Board of Trustees and administered by the Library Director.
c. The Library shall observe the holidays identified in the Town of Sunapee Employee
Handbook.
d. Vacations shall be taken by the Assistant Director only with the pre-approval of the Library
Director.

External and internal applicants, as well as position incumbents who become disabled as defined
under the Americans with Disabilities Act, must be able to perform the essential job functions (as
listed) either unaided or with the assistance of a reasonable accommodation to be determined by
management on a case-by-case basis.
Approved by Board of Trustees on: 28 September, 2023