Head of Children’s Services at Valley Cottage Library – Join a dynamic workforce with this opportunity to lead! 

This is your chance to join the friendliest staff and library in Rockland County, as described by our patrons. Valley Cottage Library, located in a nearby suburb of NYC, is a renowned community resource serving the 23,000 residents of the Nyack School District. We are seeking a highly motivated, enthusiastic, and forward-thinking individual to manage and lead a vibrant Children’s Services Department.  

The ideal candidate will be an innovative and creative problem solver; an experienced leader and manager with a proven track record of motivating and developing staff as well as an able communicator. The Head of Children’s Services leads a department of five staff members including two MLS-degreed librarians. 

This is a full-time position (35 hours per week) reporting to the Director of the Library. 

Minimum qualifications required: 

• MLIS (or equivalent) from an ALA accredited program 
• NYS Public Library Certificate at time of hire 
• Minimum of 3 years of progressively responsible experience including 1-2 years managerial/department head level experience in a public library 
• Mastery of Microsoft Office programs and all digital platforms relevant to library service 
• Ability to work with diverse people of all ages, including staff, volunteers and the public 
• Ability to apply, enhance and promote new technology services of the department and the library. Candidate must adapt readily to changing software, programs and processes. 

Responsibilities include:  

• Acquisition, development and maintenance of the children’s collections 
• Overseeing the judicious use of the Children’s Services materials and programming budgets 
• Selecting, training, scheduling and conducting performance evaluations for department staff 
• Technology troubleshooting and training of department staff 
• Attending continuing education programs and workshops suitable to professional growth and grant writing 
• Conducting, developing and implementing children’s programming, including storytimes, STEAM programs, and book discussions. 
• The ability to think differently and find opportunities for fun in the library 
• Collaborating with local schools and community organizations and building partnerships to expand the reach of Library services throughout our chartered service area 
• The ability to innovate and execute new ideas for library service to children birth through grade 5 and their families.  

The Head of Children’s Services is expected to work one evening per week and one Saturday per month. A generous benefits package includes medical, vision and dental insurance, flexible spending account, paid vacation and sick leave, and participation in a 403B matching plan.

Competitive salary commensurate with experience starting at $56,181. 

If you possess a passion to work in a team-based and customer-focused environment that strives to provide excellent services to the community at large apply now!  

A completed employment application is required and can be obtained at www.valleycottagelibrary.org under ‘About->Jobs at VCL’. Please email the completed application, a resume and a cover letter highlighting your experience to the attention of Christy Blanchette, Assistant Director at vclsearchcommittee@rcls.org.  

Applications will be accepted until December 28, 2021.  

No telephone calls please. 

Valley Cottage Library is an equal opportunity employer.  

Submit specified application materials to vclsearchcommittee@rcls.org.