Library Director career opportunity at Samuels Public Library

The Board of Trustees of Samuels Public Library is seeking an innovative, energetic, and community-minded leader as its next Library Director. The ideal candidate will provide leadership that produces positive relationships with the public, the Library’s partners in the community, and the staff. Essential qualities include fiscal responsibility, strategic thinking, strong communications skills, a proven track record in cultivating supplemental funding sources, and a creative, collaborative approach to service and programs.

Samuels Public Library is an independent public charity with its own Board of Trustees. The Library serves and is largely funded by, Warren County, Virginia. Warren County lies in the Shenandoah Valley in Northeastern Virginia along the beautiful Shenandoah River. The County is home to about 39,000 friendly people. We offer a slower-paced lifestyle while still providing the services of a good hospital, an expanding park system, water access, and a full array of civic organizations.

Description

The Library Director supervises and oversees the smooth running of the Library, obtains and allocates the needed resources through the budgetary processes in place, and works directly with the Library Board/ Friends Board, and all other departments and staff to raise funds for the present and future needs of the Library, a nonprofit 501(c) 3 corporation.

Essential functions include/ but are not limited to:

• Manages department supervisors implementing the daily activities and services of Library operations and programs including hiring and supervising staff, establishing performance standards, evaluating work and providing guidance, direction, and discipline as necessary.
• Develops and administers the Library budget. Evaluates and approves expenditure requests; allocates funding according to program needs.
• Coordinates, develops, directs, and evaluates programs and services provided by the Library and Library personnel.
• Develops effective public relations to market Library programs and services. Responds to and resolves complaints from patrons.
• Maintains current knowledge of trends, professional developments, Library literature and related information systems and other technology. Attends meetings, workshops and seminars.
• Plans, directs and helps coordinate the programs, services and use of resources for the Library based upon customers’ interests, community needs and available resources.
• Develops goals, objectives and long-range plans; formulates policies for Board approval; Ensures program meets State and/or federal requirements.
• Researches, evaluates, selects and acquires Library materials and equipment in compliance with policy, law and identified needs. Oversees and delegates orders of all books, online resources, equipment, furniture and supplies for the Library.
• Maintains statistical records of the library.
• Attends Library Board meetings, makes recommendations to the Board regarding policy, needed resources, etc.
• Identifies, pursues and supports all fundraising efforts through grant writing, planned giving, underwriting, and the annual appeal.

Thorough knowledge of the full scope of professional library principles, methods, materials, and practices. Thorough knowledge of books and authors. Ability to create yearly budgets. Working knowledge of cataloging procedures. Ability to analyze Library service problems and participate effectively in solving them. Ability to supervise the work of staff and ability to contribute to the employees training for library work; ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with Library patrons, Library Board and Friends Board, Library Volunteers, associates, and the general public.

Education and Experience

Master’s Degree in Library Science, or Library and Information Science 
(MLS/MLIS) from a graduate library program accredited by the American Library Association, and professional library experience, in an administrative and/or managerial/supervisory capacity in a public library. The successful candidate will possess or be able to acquire a Virginia Librarian’s Certificate.

Salary/Benefits

Competitive salary and benefits package, including health care and retirement program.

Application Instructions

Send cover letter, resume and list of 3 references to Ms. Eileen Grady, Director of Operations, Samuels Public Library, egrady@samuelslibrary.net. Only electronic applications will be accepted. The application deadline is April 3, 2020. The Board of Directors reserves the right to select a highly qualified candidate ahead of the closing date. EOE.