Library Director, Wiggin Memorial Library, (Stratham, NH)

Posted July 26, 2024

Salary Range: $60,000 to $85,000 (salary is commensurate to experience)

The Wiggin Memorial Library, located in Stratham, NH, is seeking a team-
building, community-focused leader to be its next Library Director. Just fifteen
minutes from Portsmouth and New Hampshire’s scenic shoreline, Stratham is a
dynamic, close-knit community with a population of just under 8,000 people. First
settled in 1631, Stratham has both a rich history and a keen eye for its future. Wiggin
Memorial, a 2018 Finalist for the Institute of Museum and Library Services’ National
Medal, is a cornerstone of that community. In the words of the Institute, their
National Medal “is the nation’s highest honor for institutions that make significant
and exceptional contributions to their communities.” True in 2018 and true today,
Wiggin Memorial is a library that deeply impacts its community.

Conveniently housed alongside Stratham’s municipal services, Wiggin
Memorial serves a broad spectrum of Stratham residents; from the 270+ children and
teens currently enrolled in its summer reading program, to its recent partnerships
with the Exeter Garden Club and UNH Extension for its community garden and tool
lending shed. Many resources are available both digitally and in person, and
programing ranges from baby and toddler story time to virtual book clubs.

The Library Director’s essential functions include strategic planning,
personnel development and oversight, administration, programming for the public
and budgeting. A detailed job description is outlined below.

Wiggin Memorial is well-loved, with a well-earned positive reputation among
both staff and citizens. The staff, many of whom have been with the library for
twenty years or more, are deeply knowledgeable and creative. Well qualified
candidates will have demonstrated excellent personnel development skills and be
committed to team building. In addition to communicating staff needs to the Board
of Trustees, the Director must be willing to come alongside all level of staff in a
mentor capacity.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Director manages the library for the community, including (but not restricted to) functions related
to personnel, collections, communications, finances, and physical plant. This individual oversees the
creation of effective and efficient library policies, procedures and standards. The position involves a
high degree of creativity, judgment and complexity to assess the educational and cultural needs of the
community and determine effective methods to deliver services. The incumbent focuses on strategic
planning and forecasting trends related to the community and the library. On an ongoing basis, the
Director supports the development of staff knowledge, abilities, and skills and fosters a team focused
approach to library services and functions.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Strategic Planning
In collaboration with the Board of Trustees, staff, town administrators, and community members:

Leads the development of strategic short and long term planning for the evolution of the library.
Collaborates with the Board of Trustees, staff, town administrators, and community members to
ensure a broad and comprehensive plan.
Evaluates and updates the library’s mission and vision statements.
Develops, implements and evaluates the effectiveness of and accomplishments related to
annual goals in conjunction with the Board of Trustees.

Personnel Development and Oversight

Engenders and thoughtfully nurtures a knowledgeable, competent, passionate, effective and
committed staff team.
Accountable for personnel hiring, firing, performance appraisal, and disciplinary action with
communication with the Board of Trustees. Oversees all library personnel.
Coaches and mentors staff, supporting them to be effective and efficient and to promote
professional growth.
Assesses the professional developmental needs of personnel and ensures the implementation of
plans to address identified needs.
Establishes effective and proactive communication processes.
Oversees the process of onboarding new staff and the smooth transition of exiting staff.
Administration
Plans, directs, and manages all library operations.
Identifies and analyzes emerging community needs and changes in library science to anticipate
changes in library services.
Interprets the library’s rules and policies, in determining how they should be applied, and how
they should be updated.
Evaluates and plans for procuring resources essential for a successful library, including (but not
limited to): staffing, collections, technology, and physical plant.
Uses various data sources and other information resources to regularly assess the effectiveness
and efficiency of library programs, services and processes, and to assess future needs of the
library. Develops and implements an action plan to address identified gaps and opportunities.
Ensures that library policies are current and align with existing library science principles.
Administers and works within policies established and approved by the Board of Trustees.
Creates a welcoming and helpful environment for library patrons.
Ensures that library collections, subscriptions, electronic services, and systems are current and
meet the needs of patrons.
Proactively assesses library equipment and the physical plant to ensure they are in working
order or getting serviced as needed.
Establishes and maintains practices to foster a safe and secure library environment.
Supports and assists, where appropriate, diverse approaches to fundraising.

Public Programs and Community Relationships

Assesses community needs vis-à-vis library services and strategically prioritizes and evaluates
how most effectively to operationalize them.
Oversees the creation and evaluation of programs and services that align with identified
community needs and interests.
Represents the library at community and town meetings.
Performs various community relations projects that promote library services and overall value.
Oversees library marketing, public relations, and communication (website, social media, etc.)
Actively seeks partnerships with community businesses, organizations, and groups to support
the library’s mission and goals.
Interacts with community members, other town departments, boards and committees and
various groups and organizations to provide information and assistance as requested.

Budget

Prepares, administers and monitors the library’ s annual operating budget and finances.
With the Board of Trustees, presents the draft budget during the town budget process and
effectively advocates for library needs.
Provides monthly budget updates to the Board of Trustees.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

MLS / MLIS from an accredited college or university, or accredited masters degree in a field
related to management, business or public administration preferred. In exceptional instances,
specialized education, training and/or experience may be substituted for part or all of the
required elements.
At least 5-7 years of experience as a librarian with at least 4 years as a managing librarian.

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, AND ABILITIES

The Library Director is expected to demonstrate:
Operational knowledge of library principles, practices, and procedures.
Broad working knowledge of literature and materials relevant to all age groups.
The ability to forecast and incorporate library trends into library practice.
Excellent leadership skills.
The ability to develop, assess, and supervise library staff while creating a positive work
environment.
The ability to deal courteously and tactfully with the public.
The ability to prioritize critical functions and activities among competing priorities.
Accurate and effective verbal and written communication with patrons, members of the
community, Board of Trustees and staff.
Analytical skills, including the ability to gather and analyze data, identify problems and
opportunities, compare results and prioritize options for solutions.
The ability to assess and creatively respond to community issues and needs.
Core skills related to budget development, management, presentation and administration.
Knowledge of information technology, including mobile devices commonly used by library
patrons.

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL REQUIREMENTS; WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work is performed primarily in a library environment and includes sitting, standing, and moving
around the facility. Some travel to other locations to perform work and/or attend meetings is
required.
Work is subject to regular interruptions, noise, and other disruptions natural to working in a
public place.
The work atmosphere is frequently dusty with potential exposure to airborne pathogens.
Physical exertion to manage, move or handle library supplies and materials from overhead, at
waist level, and from the floor and may require bending, twisting, kneeling and crouching.
Materials may weigh up to 25 pounds.

POSITION TYPE / EXPECTED HOURS

The Library Director is an exempt, 40 hour per week position. The work hours are distributed over the
library’s open hours, including evenings and weekends. Occasional work will be scheduled outside of
library’s open hours to accommodate programming, community outreach and Board of Trustee
meetings. The schedule will be determined by the Library Director and the Board of Trustees.

“At Will Status” and EEO STATEMENT

All employment at the Wiggin Memorial Library is “at will.” Except as otherwise provided by law, the
employment relationship can be terminated for any lawful reason, with or without notice, at any time,
at the option of either the Wiggin Memorial Library or the employee.

The Wiggin Memorial Library does not discriminate against qualified individuals because of any status or characteristic that is protected by federal, state, or local law or ordinance, including national origin, race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, creed, age, marital or familial status, veteran status, religion, pregnancy, or physical or mental disability.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and resume to
[email protected]. Wiggin Memorial is seeking an immediate hire.

10 Bunker Hill Ave, Stratham, NH 03885 603-772-4346 www.library.strathamnh.gov

Application deadline is 5pm September 6,2024