Director of Library Services, The East Bridgewater Library (East Bridgewater, MA)

Posted February 28, 2025

Job Description:

The East Bridgewater Library Board of Trustees seeks a visionary leader with strong management skills to serve as the next Director of Library Services for the East Bridgewater Public Library.

Located in the historic heart of East Bridgewater (population 14,180), the East Bridgewater Public Library was built in 1896 and has an annual operating budget exceeding $661,000 with six full-time and four part-time employees in addition to the Director.

The Director of Library Services is responsible for formulating and supporting all operations necessary to maintain a free and inclusive library, responsive to the community’s needs for information, education, and recreation in an environment that is welcoming and affirming for all employees and residents. Working closely with the Board of Trustees, the Director develops library policies, monitors library services, prepares and manages the budget, creates public relations materials, supervises staff and volunteers, oversees the library facility, and stays informed of developments in library management and services.

Position Duties:

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.

Prepares the Library’s annual budget requests. Tracks and administers expenditures of library funds to ensure compliance with approved budget.
Manages finances; identifies program needs and attaches a monetary cost to each; advocates for needs to be met financially and/or organizes fundraising efforts; manages the allocated funds.
Manages programs, services, collections, and technology. Interprets Board goals and directives and creates actionable goals to improve Library offerings.
Prepares and administers annual operating budget; researches and selects products and services for quality and cost-effectiveness; performs and authorizes procurement of goods and services in compliance with legal procedures, including books and periodicals, audiovisual and digital information products, office and library supplies, equipment, and services; communicates with vendors and service providers; oversees the retention of financial and personnel records; and prepares grant applications to fund special projects.
Oversees and participates in collection development, performing selection and withdrawal of books and other materials to ensure a well-balanced, current, and accurate collection that meets needs particular to the community.
Manages and oversees employees and volunteers, including managing internal workflow; planning staff schedules, monitoring and recording staff absences and time accrual balances for payroll; recruits, hires, orients, supervises, evaluates, disciplines, and dismisses personnel; delegates and assigns non-routine work; provides instruction or advice in handling unusual circumstances; oversees that fair and proper supervision is provided within departmental divisions; promotes morale, and communication among staff and works to resolve staff issues; and provides for in house training of new staff and encourages appropriate outside development opportunities.
Develops short- and long-range plans to support and promote the mission of the library. Plans new initiatives to support the long-term goals of the library.
Plans, organizes and regularly evaluates a program of service that supports the mission of the public library and reflects the needs of the East Bridgewater community.
Compiles and records library statistics and assembles them for monthly meetings of the Board of Library Trustees, the annual town report, and the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners.
Formulates and recommends library policies for the Board of Library Trustees’ approval and implements approved policies.
Attends Town Meetings as necessary and monthly meetings of the Board of Library Trustees. Attends Friends of the Library as requested. Orients new Board Members; prepares written agendas and reports; proposes and provides alternatives for new policies, service programs, expenditures, and projects for Board consideration; works with the Friends to develop programs, or assists in organizing activities to raise funds, and promote the library.
Recruits, trains, evaluates, and when necessary, terminate all library staff and volunteers.
Develops and maintains cooperative relationships with the East Bridgewater Town Government, the East Bridgewater School System, the East Bridgewater Historical Commission, and other community/civic organizations.
Performs other related job duties as required.

Qualifications:

Education and Experience: Master’s degree or equivalent, and five to seven years related experience or any equivalent combination of education and experience. Library Director Certification from the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners is required.
Knowledge: Comprehensive knowledge of the principles and practices of a public, professional library, including budget and personnel administration, the application of technology and Internet in support of library operations, the organization and management of library operations, library materials, and current trends in library services with knowledge and experience in automated library systems.
Abilities: Ability to exercise initiative to plan and implement library programs and services; ability to exercise considerable judgment in dealing effectively with diverse constituencies in a responsive manner; ability to resolve conflict in a calm and constructive manner; ability to prioritize tasks and make effective use of time management; ability to manage and supervise personnel effectively; ability to develop effective working relationships with department personnel, subordinates, volunteers and the general public; ability to express oneself clearly and concisely both orally and in writing; ability to multitask as well as develop both short-term and long-range objectives; ability to delegate tasks to staff and work with volunteer boards. Skills: Management skills; organizational skills; strong oral and written communication, negotiating, analytic, and computer skills.
Physical Skills: Minimal physical demands are required to perform most of the work. The work principally involves sitting, with intermittent periods of stooping, walking, and standing. May be required to lift objects such as files, boxes of papers, office supplies, and office equipment weighing up to 30 pounds.
Motor Skills: Duties require motor skills for activities such as moving objects, and using office equipment, including but not limited to telephones, personal computers, handheld technology, and other office equipment.
Visual Skills: Visual demands require routinely reading documents for general understanding and analytical purposes. Frequent computer use.

Hours & Compensation:

35 hours per week
$47.80 – $51.10 Hourly

How to Apply:

To apply, please submit a resume, cover letter with the Town’s standard job application (which can be found on the Towns website): https://www.eastbridgewaterma.gov/about-us to [email protected] no later than March 13, 2025, or until the position has been filled. The Town of East Bridgewater is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

A complete job description and application are available at https://www.eastbridgewaterma.gov/about-us