Are you ready to lead a dynamic public library in one of the most exciting towns in New Jersey?  The Montclair Public Library is for you.

Our municipal library has been improving lives for over 130 years, through words, ideas, and community-building, by providing opportunities for lifelong learning, discovery, and public engagement.

Our facilities consist of a main building in downtown Montclair and the historic Bellevue Avenue branch, a Carnegie library listed on the National Register of Historic Places in Upper Montclair. The library has a 2024 budget of $4.5 million and has 50 staff members.

Usage of our library has been growing dramatically in terms of circulation, patron visits, and program participation.  The library’s innovative programming includes an Adult School offering more than 200 classes annually, provocative author talks by the likes of Maggie Haberman, Colson Whitehead, and Ann Patchett, and a wide variety of activities for children and adults. Our patrons are racially diverse and from all economic circumstances. Our space is welcoming, and our programming is progressive.

We are looking for a director to lead us in sustained growth and evolution, as we continue to adapt to changing technology and the needs of our community.  Our director should be collaborative, outgoing, innovative, and knowledgeable about libraries, finance, literacy, and technology. The director is supported by a committed board, successful foundation, imaginative collaborators, highly skilled staff, and engaged public.

Montclair is ranked among the best towns in NJ for its culture, arts, and education. A beautiful suburban town just 30 minutes outside of New York City, Montclair has a population of around 40,000. It has long celebrated its diversity, a feature that has attracted many to the community. The large number of writers, journalists, actors, and business leaders who live in Montclair are an invaluable library resource.

POSITION OVERVIEW 

The position requires the ability to handle complex administrative, supervisory, and professional duties requiring adherence to professional standards of accuracy, confidentiality, integrity, and tact.  Under the general direction of the Library Board, the Director has responsibility and authority for organizing and managing the Library operation and for planning, directing and coordinating its program of service to the community.

The Director works a standard 35-hour week and participates in various meetings and work-related functions outside the standard workweek.

Compensation includes a salary of between $110,000 and $130,000, depending on experience, and a full package of benefits.

Consideration of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

 

QUALIFICATIONS 

Education and Professional License

• Master of Library Science from an American Library Association accredited institution
• Valid Professional Librarian license from Thomas Edison State College

Experience

• Minimum of five years of increasingly responsible managerial experience, primarily in libraries. Preference for a candidate with at least two years of experience as a Library Director.

Most Critical Attributes

• Demonstrated ability to manage library staff and library finances
• Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly and productively with library staff and Board of Trustees, town government, and community

Additional Knowledge and Abilities

• Knowledge of theories, principles, and techniques of library and information science
• Knowledge of library administration and management techniques
• Knowledge of current library technology, trends, and innovations
• Ability to analyze, comprehend, and utilize approved public library standards and budgeting systems
• Ability to work with library’s finance staff to develop budget and track income and expenses, and to regularly communicate budget developments clearly to Board of Trustees
• Strong decision-making skills, with ability to articulate and maintain a position when differences arise
• Ability to work harmoniously with subordinates, associates, and superior officers
• Strong oral and writing skills
• Desire to meet and serve the public
• Ability to travel on library business; driver’s license and access to car required for local travel
• Ability to develop new programming that meets the community’s changing needs
• Ability to efficiently manage and administer existing and new library programs within constraints imposed by available funding, personnel, equipment, and supplies
• Ability to confer with staff, library administrators, board members, and other interested persons about budgeting, standards, library techniques, and related problems
• Ability to plan and carry out surveys and studies of existing public library services
• Ability to analyze the basic book needs of the library, apply approved book selection methods, and assist librarians in book selection, classification, cataloging, and with other technical administrative problems
• Ability to speak before professional and nonprofessional groups regarding issues facing public libraries
• Ability to oversee preparation of clear, accurate, and informative narrative and statistical reports on all library activities, containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations
• Ability to oversee the establishment and maintenance of essential records and files
• Ability to adopt new electronic and/or manual recording and information systems as needed.

The Montclair Public Library is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion and actively recruits people of various ethnic and cultural backgrounds to enhance service to our diverse community. We are an Equal Opportunity employer that does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, creed, religion, marital status, national origin, age, disability, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, veterans status or disabled veterans status. Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act.

 

Apply online here