Millbrook Library Adult Programmer Position
The Millbrook Library is looking for a new Adult Programmer to join our team! This person plans, organizes, and supervises a variety of educational, enjoyable programs for adults with the purpose of encouraging library usage, fostering community relationships, and providing new, educational experiences. They actively promote library programs and services through community outreach; assist the Director and other staff members with special projects and grants; and assist library patrons in the use of library services, facilities, and equipment.
In the past, library programs have included book clubs, movie nights, workshops on crafting, lectures on
environmental sustainability, exercise classes (and more!) but there is a great deal of latitude for the
programmer to plan events and series that align with community needs.
We are looking for someone who is great at making community connections, responsive to patron feedback, and truly enjoys helping others. The Millbrook Library serves just over 4,500 residents in the Town of Washington and the Village of Millbrook. In 2022, we had over 2,300 people attend adult programs. This position would ideally start at the end of June 2023.
General Duties:
- Plans and directs library programming for adults (including set-up and clean-up).
- Work with the Director to develop new initiatives for adults.
- Participate in planning ways to optimize the library facility; create displays, signage, and other methods to attract visitors and provide a pleasing learning environment
- Actively promote services and programs, through community outreach and engagement.
- Develop off-site programs with local organizations such as senior facilities for people that may not be able to access the library building easily.
- Encourage digital literacy and provide technology instruction.
- Develop observations and understanding of community needs into effective library services and programs.
- Work collaboratively with other members of the Library staff, Board, and Friends group to generate program ideas and coordinate development.
- Communicate with artists, assist in curation, and hang art shows for the gallery and glass display case.
- Cultivate relationships with community members and local organizations to garner feedback and potential partnerships.
- Evaluate program success.
- Provide a high level of customer service and assist customers through various aspects of utilizing the library, including reference service in person, over the phone, and by email.
- Assist with special projects such as the digitization of the Bennett Collection, as well as grant writing.
- Work with the Director to reach sustainability goals and promote environmentally sound, socially equitable, and economically feasible practices.
- Provides circulation services when required.
- Issues library cards according to established procedures when required.
- Any other routine tasks as assigned by the library director.
Qualifications Profile:
- Previous library experience and good working knowledge of Sierra are preferred.
- Comfortable working with computers and software, and able to instruct others on digital literacy skills.
- Ability to plan, promote, execute, and evaluate adult library programming successfully.
- Comfortable going outside the library building to promote library services.
- Outstanding customer service skills in order to relate courteously and effectively with library patrons.
- Ability to work independently.
Supervised By:
- Takes direction from Library Director & Assistant Director.
Hours:
- Full-time, 35 hours/week (days, evenings, some weekends required)
Compensation:
- $40,000 a year.
- Generous benefits package including Vacation, Sick, & Personal time, Medical insurance, Dental insurance, Life insurance & 403(b) Retirement Plan.
Please send a cover letter, resume, and three references to Courtney Tsahalis at director@millbrooklibrary.org.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Library Director, Tow of Esopus Library
The Town of Esopus Library, a Special District Library serving a town of 9,548 (2020 census), seeks a Library Director with effective interpersonal skills and a commitment to public service. The Library is located one and a half hours from New York City, and overlooks the scenic Hudson River. It is a mid-sized library with a long-range plan for expansion.
The Director serves as the chief executive officer of the library and is responsible for the administration of all library functions within the goals, guidelines and policies established by the Library Board of Trustees. This responsibility includes the organization and dissemination of information and services through the effective utilization of library resources. The Director is also responsible for the facilities, financial management and personnel of the library, under the governance and oversight of the Board.
The Director is expected to provide a leadership role within the library, the community, and the library profession. The Director serves as the official representative of the library.
AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY:
1.) General Administration and Management
- Participates in professional development opportunities to enhance managerial skills. Employs management techniques effectively in directing, planning, organizing, staffing, coordinating, budgeting, and evaluating the library’s operation.
- Demonstrates leadership within the organization: Takes initiative, solves problems, effects change through the action of others, and encourages the development of other staff through a positive work environment.
- Formulates and recommends policies to the Library Board and implements library policies and procedures. Establishes and maintains a staff manual of library policies and procedures.
- Develops the library budget in coordination with the Finance Committee.
- Assists in establishing a long-term plan.
- Works with the Research and Development Committee to seek out and write grants.
- Orients new trustees and serves as a resource for trustee activities.
- Directs the maintenance of the library building and grounds, and recommends future space needs.
2.) Planning, Organization and Evaluation
- Plans, organizes, coordinates, and directs a balanced program of library service to meet the immediate and long-range goals of the library and the community.
- Establishes the standards of effectiveness for all operations.
- Evaluates the effectiveness of library services in relation to the changing needs of the community.
- Is knowledgeable about and complies with New York State library standards affecting the library’s operations.
- Investigates new trends and specific library programs and facilitates testing of new techniques, materials, and equipment to improve the operation of the library.
3.) Personnel Management
- Develops job descriptions, recommends personnel policies to the Governance and Personnel Committee, and administers personnel policies.
- Hires, evaluates, promotes and terminates staff.
- Defines expectations for staff performance and sets goals for service and programming.
- Works to promote high staff morale.
- Provides in-service programs for employee training and development, encouraging staff input.
- Encourages staff professional growth at all levels by supporting participation in professional associations, workshops, seminars and activities.
- Ensures that staff performance appraisals are done on a regular schedule.
- Acts as a mentor, mediator, and facilitator for staff.
4.) Community and Professional Development
- Serves as a model to staff in the sense of professionalism, demonstrating strong professional ethics and keeping informed through professional literature.
- Represents the library and speaks before community, civic, and other groups regarding the objectives and activities of the library.
- Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with other government agencies, civic and community groups, and the general public.
- Serves as the official representative of the library in actions that legally bind or politically influence the library.
- Supports and facilitates the work of the Friends of the Library.
- Attends professional and other meetings to maintain contact with other professional and library-related agencies.
5.) Other duties, as required.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- A Master’s Degree in Library Science from an ALA accredited school.
- Eligibility for a New York State Public Librarian professional certificate at the time of application.
- Six years of library experience with two years of administrative experience.
- Effective interpersonal skills consisting of creative and diplomatic communication and management abilities.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, social skills and adaptability.
- Ability to make administrative decisions and lead a stellar staff.
- Ability to speak and write effectively and clearly.
- Intellectual curiosity and a proactive perspective on libraries.
- General knowledge of library principles and practices.
- Competent and comfortable with administrative and library technologies.
- Physical condition commensurate with the demands of the job.
Salary & Benefits
Salary range is $65,000-$70,000. Benefits include medical, dental and vision insurance, New York State retirement and a robust PTO package.
Please send a cover letter describing your philosophy of library service, a resume and the names and contact information of 3 professional references to directorsearch@esopuslibrary.org by May 19, 2023. Interviews will commence immediately.
We are an equal opportunity employer.
This is a provisional Civil Service appointment. The selected candidate will have to fill the Ulster County Civil Service requirements for Library Director I and must be among the three highest scoring candidates willing to accept the position in order to retain permanent appointment.
MHLS recommends that the minimum starting salary of a full or part-time librarian with an MLS degree be at least equal to that of a teacher with a master’s degree in the same community.
|