The Summit Free Public Library (SFPL) Board of Trustees seeks a dynamic, action-oriented library  professional to lead its vibrant public library following the retirement of its well-respected director. The  new director will have the challenge to lead the library into the future including reorganizing our children’s  and teen spaces and aligning the library with Summit’s wider redevelopment plans. 

The Director will lead staff and collaborate with the Board of Trustees, Friends of the Summit Free Public  Library and the Summit Free Public Library Foundation, City Council, School District and the  Superintendent of Schools, community organizations, and other stakeholders to bring high-energy  leadership to help fulfill the library’s mission to “inform, enrich and inspire the community”. The director  should be knowledgeable about library trends, technology and its use in libraries and be able to manage  a facility and staff of 13 FT and 18 PT employees with an annual budget of $2.5 million.  

The SFPL’s recently completed long range plan provides a roadmap for the library’s future with a  continued commitment to community engagement, diversity, equity, and inclusion, and continuous improvement. The library’s vision is to be the community’s “focal point for knowledge, entertainment,  social gathering, and the exchange of ideas,”  

The Summit Free Public Library is at the heart of our 22,000-person community and enjoys city-wide  support. The library offers a wide variety of popular programs and services including a diverse collection,  outstanding early literacy and adult programs, and technology training provided by a dedicated and  talented staff team. 

The City of Summit, New Jersey is often high on lists of best places to live in NJ and in the US. Summit  has consistently ranked high in NJ Monthly's biennial listing of NJ’s Top 100 Towns. In 2019, Summit  was ranked the second-best place to live in NJ. 

Within 20 miles from New York City, with easy bus or train connections, Summit offers top rated schools,  the Visual Arts Center, the Summit Playhouse, the Summit Community Center, the Reed-Reeves  Arboretum, Watchung Reservation and numerous local parks along with a bustling downtown of many  local and national retailers and restaurants. 

We offer a highly competitive salary that is commensurate with leadership experience and a proven  record of results. The library provides comprehensive health coverage, paid vacation time, a retirement  plan, and pre-tax spending accounts.  

Qualifications 

An ALA accredited master’s degree in Library/Information Science is required as well as eligibility for a NJ State Public Librarian Certification. Experience in public or academic library leadership, administration  and management with a minimum of five years’ experience working in a library setting. The director is  required to become a NJ resident within one year of employment. 

For consideration, please email a pdf cover letter, resume and three references to: librarydirectorsearch@gmail.com Questions and inquiries may be addressed to Alan Burger at  aburger@librarydevelopment.com or Leslie Burger at lburger@librarydevelopment.com. 

Confidential review of applications and interviews will begin immediately and continue until the position

Submit specified application materials to librarydirectorsearch@gmail.com.