Library Director – Valley Cottage Library

The Valley Cottage Library Board of Trustees seeks a collaborative team leader with experience in library administration and a commitment to community and excellence as its new Director.

The Valley Cottage Library, a member of the Ramapo Catskill Library System (RCLS), is recognized for its modern, serene architectural design, awarded for its art gallery and its ecologically-conscious parking area.

We are an association library, providing services to 25,000 residents of the Nyack School District, which includes the hamlet of Valley Cottage (9,000 residents). Located in Rockland County, 50 minutes north of New York City, the library is a community center, operating on a $2.37M budget. The staff of 38 is warm and welcoming, and the community is supportive.

The library offers an extensive roster of programs and concerts for children, young adults, and adults.

We are an equal opportunity employer.  We are committed to ensuring diversity, equity, and inclusion of all ethnic, racial and gender groups in our practices, presentations and materials.

Qualifications: A Master’s degree in Library or Information Science from an ALA accredited school, a NYS Public Librarian certificate and at least ten years of professional library experience including five years in an administrative position.

Candidate must be able to follow all Library COVID-19 health protocols, including being able to tolerate proper face covering for the duration of the work shift.

The base hiring salary is $125,000, with flexibility dependent upon experience and qualifications.

Full job description below.

To apply for this position, email your cover letter and resume including contact information for three professional references, using the subject line “Library Director position” to the Valley Cottage Library Board of Trustees at vcltrustees@rcls.org.

The deadline for submission is November 4, 2021. Qualified candidates will be contacted for an interview.

 

Job Description: Library Director, Valley Cottage Library

The Board of Trustees of the Valley Cottage Library is seeking a full time Director. The library is located in the Rockland County hamlet of Valley Cottage, New York. It is one of two libraries serving the residents of the Nyack School District and is renowned for its friendly and welcoming environment. The position is becoming available due to the forthcoming retirement of its long-serving Director.

The Valley Cottage Library, an association library, has been serving Valley Cottage for more than 60 years, evolving from a one room storefront to the beautiful cultural community institution it is today. Our library is dedicated to providing a welcoming environment in which materials and services support and enhance the educational, artistic, professional, personal, and recreational needs of the diverse community of Valley Cottage. Our staff has been identified by our patrons as one of our strongest assets, due to their professional, knowledgeable, friendly, and welcoming attributes. The Valley Cottage Library is a member of the Ramapo Catskill Library System.

Position Summary:

Under the administrative supervision and policy direction of the Valley Cottage Library Board of Trustees, the Library Director manages and directs all operational and professional activities of the Library. This includes, but is not limited to, preparing and administering the operating budget, overseeing personnel administration, directing the development of the library collection, overseeing the delivery of library services, and recommending policy and financial considerations to the Board. The Library Director must prioritize and manage multiple projects requiring the ability to multitask; work independently as a self-starter and collaboratively with others; model exceptional service expectations; and strongly support staff in achieving these standards.

Responsibilities:

• Responsible for all library personnel, including selection, evaluation, promotion, supervision, and discipline. Ensure strategies are implemented to obtain and maintain a diverse workforce.
• Foster a collaborative leadership style that encourages teamwork, promotes staff initiative, and provides professional growth opportunities for all employees.
• Develop Library policies and procedures for Board approval.
• Ensure Library policies, procedures, and practices support and enhance Board commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Attend all Board meetings providing professional input in Board deliberations and advising the Board on meeting protocols and legal requirements. Prepare meeting agendas in coordination with the Board President and maintain records of said meetings.
• Oversee the delivery of patron services, material acquisition, circulation and processing activities.
• Supervise the purchase and maintenance of technology to enhance library services.
• Oversee maintenance of the physical plant working with custodial staff and outside vendors.
• Provide leadership and direction in the development of long-range library plans based on community needs and input to the Board.
• Develop and recommend annual library operating and personnel budgets to the Board and administer approved funds.
• Oversee grant applications and grant fund administration.
• Coordinate library fundraising activities such as annual appeals, future capital campaigns, and others as needed.
• Oversee the publicity of library programs and services.
• Represent the library to a variety of external agencies, organizations and individuals, including regional, state, and national library associations.
• Participate and assume active role in meetings and planning activities of the Ramapo Catskill Library System (RCLS) Directors Association, regional library networks, associations, etc.
• Work with the Nyack School District and The Nyack Library to coordinate the annual library budget vote.
• Responsible for the preparation of a variety of records and reports, including financial and statistical reports, long-range planning reports, and annual library and state agency reports.
• Perform related work as required.

Required Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Minimum Qualifications:

• Master’s Degree in Library or Information Science from an ALA accredited institution and a NYS Public Librarian Certificate.
• Ten years of public library experience, including five years of supervisory, management, and administrative expertise.
• Thorough knowledge of library collection classification and selection techniques.
• Thorough knowledge of the principles, practices, and procedures of professional library administration.
• Knowledge of legal requirements of library administration, public finance, and personnel administration.
• Knowledge of current information technology and how it can be applied to improve library operations and services.
• Excellent customer service skills, including experience working with a diverse public.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Strong leadership skills.
• Ability to work effectively under stress and changes in work priorities.
• Expertise in library technologies, MS Office, and all digital platforms relevant to library services.
• Experience with writing, securing, and managing grants.
• Ability to create a warm, respectful, and welcoming atmosphere for staff and library patrons.

COVID-19 Policy:

Candidate must be able to follow all Library COVID-19 health protocols, including being able to tolerate proper face covering for the duration of the work shift.

Salary and Benefits:

This is a full time salaried position offering a base salary of $125,000, negotiable dependent on experience and qualifications. The library offers a generous fringe benefits package, including vacation, sick and family leave plans, a matching 403B plan, and health, dental and vision insurance plans. The Valley Cottage Library is an equal opportunity employer committed to fair employment practices for all individuals, and to maintaining a just, equitable, inclusive, and diverse workplace. We welcome applicants without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, gender, sexual orientation, age, or disability.

Please email your cover letter and resume including contact information for three professional references, using the subject line “Library Director position” to the Valley Cottage Library Board of Trustees at vcltrustees@rcls.org.

The deadline for submission is November 4, 2021. Qualified candidates will be contacted for an interview.

 

Submit specified application materials to vcltrustees@rcls.org.