Library Director, Kent Memorial Library, (Suffield, CT)

Posted July 12, 2024

Posted: July 11, 2024
End Date: Open Until Filled
The Kent Memorial Library Commission and the Town of Suffield are excited to announce an
opportunity for a dynamic and motivated Library Director to join our town Library. Our Library
enjoys robust support from the community and boasts a dedicated and professional staff that
consistently offers varied programming for patrons. Community engagement is a cornerstone,
featuring extensive support for seasonal reading programs, museum passes, special events, and a
wide array of community-led initiatives. Employees and volunteers alike are deeply committed
to cultivating a strong sense of community among Suffield’s residents.

Although we are located midway between the Boston and New York City metropolitan areas, the
Town of Suffield remains a quintessential New England town with a longstanding pledge to
preserve its historic architecture and agricultural roots. Literally, dozens of working farms spread
out over our 42 square miles provide locally produced farm products year-round. Our Town is
bordered by the Connecticut River to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and Bradley
International Airport to the south, with Interstate access, regional Amtrak, and light rail routes
nearby.

General Summary:
The Library Director will undertake a range of administrative, supervisory, and professional
duties to oversee Kent Memorial Library’s employees, resources, budget, and facilities. The role
encompasses managing the public library collection and delivering essential services to patrons
and community groups. The primary objective will be to foster a positive, customer-centric
environment that enhances the Library’s and our Town government’s welcoming and professional
reputation among Suffield residents.

Qualifications:
Education & Experience:

A Master’s degree in Library Science from an ALA-accredited college or university is
welcome but not required. A bachelor’s degree in management or a related field will also be
considered.
Five (5) years of experience, preferably in library administration, including a minimum of
three (3) years of supervisory experience.
Extensive experience may be substituted for education attainment if the Library Commission
and First Selectman deem it appropriate.

Knowledge, Skills, and Expectations:

Knowledge of principles and practices of public library functions preferred.
Knowledge of developments in the field of leadership management, public administration,
grants, and foundations.
Leadership skills in managing employees, ideally in a union setting, with an understanding of
collective bargaining practices.
Skill in financial management and administering budgets.
Skill in using computers, including Microsoft suites, Library-related software, and
technology infrastructure necessary to operate a modern library.
Expected to work independently, be flexible, and adapt to a fast-paced work environment.
Expected to work cooperatively with patrons of all ages, volunteers, community partners,
colleagues, supervisors, and boards.
Expected to plan, direct, and evaluate the work of library programs.
Expected to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, local
government officials, school officials, community and civic groups, corporations, and the
public.
Expected to compose clear and correct written correspondence and reports; ability to
effectively present information verbally and respond to questions from employees,
government officials, community and civic groups, patrons, and the general public.
Expected to analyze and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals,
technical procedures, and government regulations.

Hours:
This is a full-time forty (40) hours per week position. This position will occasionally require
longer hours beyond those scheduled, including monthly evening commission meetings, evening
work, and weekend work, as job duties demand.

Compensation and Benefits:
$70,000 – $85,000 commensurate with experience, benefits package to include: 13 Paid Holidays
per Year • Paid Sick and Vacation Days • Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance • Defined
Contribution Plan with Town Match • Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability and Life
Insurance

Overall Responsibilities and Additional Information

Including but not limited to:

General Duties

Plans, supervises, and evaluates the operation and activities of Kent Memorial Library under
policies and goals established by the Kent Memorial Library Commission, First Selectman,
and Board of Selectmen.
Develops, administers, and evaluates library programs such as circulation, reference, reader’s
advisory services, children’s services, community services, public information, and all other
programs supporting modern library practices.
In accordance with policies established by Kent Memorial Library, directs the development
and maintenance of a public library collection of varied media; evaluates collection for
balance and comprehensiveness; schedules withdrawals and inventory of materials.
Directs the development and maintenance of systems, records, and documents that provide
for the proper evaluation, control, and documentation of library activities and resources.
Assures quality patron service, staffing, library programs and services, community relations,
optimum access to the library collection, and updating of the collection.
Directs, advocates for, and oversees the use of technology best practices for modern library
operations.
Ability to work with and take direction from Kent Memorial Library Commission and First
Selectman to reach the vision and goals of the community.
Fiscal Management
Prepares and presents a proposed annual Library budget in collaboration with the Library
Commission, First Selectman, and the Board of Selectmen; directs the implementation of and
monitors adherence with the adopted budget; directs and performs financial and managerial
analyses of operations; and presents findings to applicable boards and commissions.
In accordance with policies established by Kent Memorial Library Commission, the Town
identifies and pursues funding and other resources in compliance with the Town’s grant
approval policies; prepares and recommends grant proposals; ensures compliance with grant
requirements; assists in the preparation, review, and administration of vendor contracts and
agreements.
Ensures compliance with internal controls for the collection of all library fees.
Management of Personnel and Facilities
Supervises, trains, and motivates library employees and volunteers.
In collaboration with the Town’s Human Resources Department, hires and administers
personnel rules and regulations in accordance with the collective bargaining agreement.
Develops policies and procedures as necessary to ensure efficient management of library
operations and implements directives from the Kent Memorial Library Commission and First
Selectman.
In collaboration with the Town’s Public Works Department, manages the cleanliness and
maintenance of the library facilities and grounds.

Community Involvement and Representing Library

Communicates effectively with library employees, community stakeholders, Kent Memorial
Library Commission, supporting nonprofits, and Town officials.
Attends Kent Memorial Library Commission meetings and provides monthly updates on
activities, budget (including status of any grant), and operations.
In accordance with policies established by Kent Memorial Library and First Selectman, acts
as liaison on fundraising campaigns with nonprofit organizations supporting the Library
Researches, analyzes, and reports on community needs with respect to library resources and
facilities.
Collaborates with Town, state, and national agencies to enhance the Library’s commitment to
cultural competency and diversity programming.
Confers and coordinates with State agencies, other public libraries, corporations, community,
and civic groups on the use of library facilities and the development of library programs;
assists in facilitating interlibrary programming.
Represents Town at various meetings; serves as liaison to various government and
community organizations.
Maintains positive working relationships with local government officials, school officials, the
community, and the public regarding program offerings and coordination of services;
promptly and cordially responds to inquiries and complaints pertaining to services and
facilities.

General Guidelines:
The duties listed above 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.
The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and
employee and is subject to change by the employer as the employer’s needs and requirements of
the job change.

Other Duties:
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of
functions, activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job.
Functions, duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time, with or without notice.
This position is at will.

Travel:
Travel is primarily local during the business day, although some out-of-the-area travel and
overnight for conferences and seminars may be expected.

EEOC Statement:
It is the policy of the Town of Suffield to provide equal employment opportunity to all persons
regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race,
religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic
information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, the Town of Suffield will
provide reasonable accommodations that do not present an undue hardship for qualified
individuals with disabilities.

Tools and Equipment Used:
This job operates in a professional office environment with occasional related fieldwork. This
role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing
cabinets, and fax machines.

Physical Demands:
The physical demands are representative of those that must be met by an employee to
successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be
made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
While performing the essential functions of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand,
sit, walk; use hands and fingers; handle or operate objects, controls, or standard office
equipment; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
The employee must occasionally lift and/or move objects up to fifty (50) pounds. Specific vision
abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision,
depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment:
This position operates in public and nonpublic areas. The work areas may contain book dust,
molds, mildew, and insects. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as
computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets, and fax machines. The noise level in the work
environment is usually quiet to noisy in the Library.

How to Apply:

Applications can be found on the town website at suffieldct.gov/departments/hr. Please submit
an application and resume by email to [email protected] or by mail to the Town of Suffield,
Human Resources Department, Attention: Shannon Foley, 83 Mountain Rd, Suffield, CT 06078,
by the closing date of posting.

The Town of Suffield is an equal opportunity employer m/f/d/v.

The above description is intended as a guide and is not a complete description of the position or

process.