Director of Library Services
Apply NowCompany: Plainville Community Schools
Location: Plainville, MA 02762
Description:
Position Type:
Town of Plainville/Town Hall
Date Posted:
12/16/2024
Location:
Plainville Public Library
Director of Library Services - Plainville Public Library
The Town of Plainville is seeking an experienced, community-oriented, visionary leader for the full time-position of Library Director. Candidates must be well-informed and experienced with current and emerging library trends and technologies, as well as current best practices in public library services.
The Town of Plainville is home to 17,525 residents, covers an area of 9.8 square miles and is located in Hartford County, between Southington and Farmington, and 14 miles southwest of Hartford. The town has a diverse business base, three elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school. Plainville has a town manager-town council form of government. The Library Director will report to a library board of six, elected by voters for 6-year terms. The Director also reports to the Town Manager.
The mission of the Plainville Public Library is to provide excellent service to meet the educational, informational, and cultural needs of Plainville's citizens through its collections and programs. The library was expanded in the last decade making the building a total of 13,652 square feet while restoring the 1931 section of the library featuring marble fireplaces, oak bookcases and pillars, and comfortable seating. The Director will manage a $750,000+ budget, supervise 7 full-time staff and 6 part-time staff in a library facility with stack space for 128,000 books, over 90,000 volumes, a growing collection of downloadable materials, a digital collection, three meeting rooms, 15 computers available for public use, and a colorful, spacious Children's Room located on a separate floor. The library has recently adopted a three year strategic plan.
Primary Responsibilities
Planning and Policy Making
The closing date for applications is January 6, 2025. The anticipated start date of the position is February 18, 2025.
Town of Plainville/Town Hall
Date Posted:
12/16/2024
Location:
Plainville Public Library
Director of Library Services - Plainville Public Library
The Town of Plainville is seeking an experienced, community-oriented, visionary leader for the full time-position of Library Director. Candidates must be well-informed and experienced with current and emerging library trends and technologies, as well as current best practices in public library services.
The Town of Plainville is home to 17,525 residents, covers an area of 9.8 square miles and is located in Hartford County, between Southington and Farmington, and 14 miles southwest of Hartford. The town has a diverse business base, three elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school. Plainville has a town manager-town council form of government. The Library Director will report to a library board of six, elected by voters for 6-year terms. The Director also reports to the Town Manager.
The mission of the Plainville Public Library is to provide excellent service to meet the educational, informational, and cultural needs of Plainville's citizens through its collections and programs. The library was expanded in the last decade making the building a total of 13,652 square feet while restoring the 1931 section of the library featuring marble fireplaces, oak bookcases and pillars, and comfortable seating. The Director will manage a $750,000+ budget, supervise 7 full-time staff and 6 part-time staff in a library facility with stack space for 128,000 books, over 90,000 volumes, a growing collection of downloadable materials, a digital collection, three meeting rooms, 15 computers available for public use, and a colorful, spacious Children's Room located on a separate floor. The library has recently adopted a three year strategic plan.
Primary Responsibilities
Planning and Policy Making
- Participates in an ongoing planning process with the Library Board.
- Administers broad policies established by the Library Board.
- Prepares monthly and annual reports for the Library Board.
- Attends all meetings of the Library Board and other relevant town meetings.
- Assures management responsibility for effective functioning of the library.
- Plans and proposes changes in library information technology (IT) systems.
- Attends weekly director's meetings to give reports concerning the library.
- Maintains regular communication with the Town Manager to keep the Town Manager informed of the various activities at the library.
- Works closely with Human Resources department regarding all personnel matters including the hiring of staff.
- Prepares and advocates the annual budget to Town Officials, including the Town Manager, to secure funds.
- Administers the annual budget.
- Cooperates with other town departments to ensure effective use of resources.
- Manages staff and coordinates staff functions.
- Coordinates and manages suppliers, including IT services, to ensure proper functioning of library.
- Provides leadership in establishing working relationships and encourages creativity among library staff.
- Directs daily operations of library.
- Oversees the selection, ordering, and processing of library materials including online databases and services.
- Evaluates the existing collection and supervises the turnover of materials.
- Evaluates the effectiveness of library services in light of community needs and interests.
- Represents the library in cooperative projects with the Board of Education and Town Hall departments, at local, national, and statewide organizations, and at speaking engagements with the general public and special groups.
- Keeps current with library trends and operations.
- Works closely with the Board of Library Trustees advising them on policy and administrative issues.
- Initiates specific programs, activities and services throughout the year as requested and/or approved by the Board of Trustees.
- Attends Friends' meetings to request program funding and to coordinate events with library schedule and staff. Plainville has a very active Friends group and the Director is expected to work closely with them.
- Manages the physical building and coordinates with town departments on the upkeep and maintenance of the library.
- Manages IT suppliers and ensures operation of computer network.
- Assumes responsibility for library space and furnishings.
- Oversees the planning and scheduling of community room use.
- Responds to building emergencies.
- Represents the library at community meetings, group meetings, and professional association meetings.
- Promotes the use of the library and its services to the community.
- A Master's Degree in Library Science.
- A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in professional library work, including library management and direct supervision of others.
- Demonstrated organizational and interpersonal skills, as well as effective verbal and written communication skills.
- Substantial experience with computers, technology, social media, MS Office Suite, the Internet, Integrated Library Systems Software, Library Connection Inc., and other software and applications as needed.
- Experience with researching and pursuing grant proposals to fund new or supplementary programs and services.
- Considerable ability to interact with the general public, elected and appointed officials, outside organizations, and professional associations.
- The ability to supervise and train library staff, to coordinate and plan workloads, and to carry out directions of the Library Board. Experience supervising unionized staff.
The closing date for applications is January 6, 2025. The anticipated start date of the position is February 18, 2025.