MASSACHUSETTS LIBRARY SYSTEM

JOB DESCRIPTION COLLECTION

 

   

 

                                                    

Position Title:      

 LIBRARY DIRECTOR

Band/ Step/ Hourly Wage:

 BAND 7

Previous Rev Date:

7/24/04

 

Reports To:         

 BOARD OF LIBRARY TRUSTEES

Department:       

 LIBRARY

Current Rev Date:

 10/31/2005

 

 

                                                                                                    Union Position: Yes____  No_X___

Position Summary:
Responsible for the management, direction and administration of the Town of Westford Library Department including all library services, personnel, policies, outreach and programs as well as the development and administration of financial resources ($1,500,000+) for the development, management and enhancement of the library as a town department. Responsible for short and long-range planning of the library facility, personnel, programs and the overall library department.  Plans, organizes, directs and evaluates, in conformity with the policies established by the elected Board of Trustees, the By-Laws of the Town of Westford, the regulations and standards promulgated by the Board of Library Commissioners and the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.  Related work as required.
 

Principal Responsibilities:

1. Responsible for the development, direction and management of library personnel, public library services and programs. Adopts and executes services, policies and programs approved by the elected Board of Library Trustees.

2. Recruits, selects, evaluates, promotes and terminates departmental personnel. Administers personnel policies in accordance with Town of Westford Personnel Policies and Procedures and pertinent bargaining unit contractual agreements.

3. Develops and prepares annual operating budget, personnel budget and capital outlay programs for the approval of the Library Trustees, town boards, and Town Meeting. Develops and prepares long-range planning for the library facility and the operational growth of the library, based upon established goals and related performance data, as promulgated by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners.

4. Supervises the cost effective and judicious expenditure of all appropriated town funds, endowed funds, trust funds, gift monies, state aid awards and grant monies.  Pursues alternative cooperative purchasing options with other Town Departments, with network and regional  libraries and/or via state contract.

5. Develops and directs the implementation of the Library's Material Selection Policy, Information  Services Policy and Collection Development Policy and instructs and directs the staff in compliance with same.

6. Executes all library policies promulgated by the Board of Trustees; acts as Trustees' liaison with town boards and their representatives, with the Town's state legislators and with the representatives of the Board of Library Commissioners.

7. Responsible for the management of the physical assets, as well as the preventive maintenance program associated with, the care and upkeep of, the library physical plant, maintenance systems, grounds and vehicle. Maintains an inventory of all departmental and Board assets.

8. Stays informed of, and insures effective utilization of, all services available from state and regional library extension agencies, and pertinent humanities agencies providing funding and programming resources.

9. Pursues grant funding from state and federal sources, from foundations and corporate donors to promote, enhance and create new library services, programs and collections.  Administers grant and foundation funds according to specified guidelines and files all indicated reports within specified time-frames.

10. Manages all aspects of technology-related library functions, both internal and consortium-related; investigates and recommends to the Board of Trustees technological enhancements to service programs and materials delivery. Oversees Technology Inventory as well as short-term technology planning for Department.

11. Implements and directs the library's community relations and public relations programs, while administering all community relations projects for the library.

12. Maintains affiliations with local, state and national professional organizations; attends workshops, seminars  and conferences addressing current professional issues, trends and developments.

13. Actively supports state and federal legislation designed to aid or enhance library services and development.

14. Conducts, directs and evaluates studies relating to library service responsiveness and efficiency, cost effectiveness and systems analysis.

15. Directs all library personnel; directly  evaluates the work performed by the Assistant Director, Division Heads, and Administrative Assistant. Delegates and oversees the evaluation of all other staff members to the Assistant Director and appropriate division heads; oversees and implements in-service training and orientation programs; encourages continued staff education and professional growth.

16. Submits reports to the Board of Library Trustees concerning all personnel matters, such as promotions, performance review, transfers, wage changes, classification changes, job duty changes, leaves and terminations.

17. Provides leadership in establishing effective working relationships and communication, ensuring high productivity, and encouraging initiative and creativity.

18. Manages the Fine Arts and Historical assets of the Library and the Board of Trustees, including inventory, appraisal, insurance , institutional loans and disposition.

19. Keeps informed of professional issues, trends and attitudes through reading professional and managerial literature, listservs, newsletters and journals. 

20. Attends all meetings of the Board of Library Trustees and advises Trustees of programs, service, facility, planning, personnel and policy matters requiring consideration/action.

21. Attends all meetings of the Executive Board of the Friends of the J. V. Fletcher Library, Inc. as an Ex-Officio member, supporting and advising same in their auxiliary capacity.

22. Presents written or oral Director's Reports at all Library Trustees' meetings identifying the progress and status of on-going library programs and other matters requiring their attention.

23. Manages a Gift Program on behalf of the Library Department, delegating oversight to the Assistant Director.

24. Represents the Board of Library Trustees and the Department on Foundation and Endowment matters.

25. Attends all Town and Special Town Meetings, representing the Department to the community and Town Meeting attendees.

26. Prepares a yearly written report of all library activities and expenditures for inclusion in the Town of Westford Annual Report.
 

Required Experience, Skills, Knowledge and Abilities:
Proficiency in the procedures and practices of professional library administration and the organization and management of its operations.  Knowledge of automated information data and retrieval systems, WORD, EXCEL, LAN use, HTML, Internet use, financial planning, personnel administration. Strong interpersonal skills.
 

Education, Training, Special Licensure/Certification Requirements:
A Master's Degree in Library Science, accredited by the American Library Association, with Board of Library Commissioners certification, as well as  nine  to 12 years previous experience in a public library setting, preferably in an adminis­trative position. Sound knowledge and understanding of local and state statutes relating to the operation of a muni­cipal library as well as solid background in personnel, planning, programming, public service and fiscal management.
 

Contacts (boards & committees, vendors, general public, etc.):
Extensive interaction with the public, Town Departments, Boards and Committees, as well as Town Departmental personnel and outside agencies.. Extensive interaction with vendors, contractors, paid performers. Represents Library organization at consortium meetings and on network, regional and state committees. Represents Library organization via professional affiliations and association memberships. Represents Library organization at the network, regional, state and national level
 

Supervisory Responsibility (Include Positions Supervised):
Works under the direction of six member elected Library Board of Trustees. Supervises approximately 40 full and half time equivalents and 25 volunteers. Performs highly responsible and complex work requiring considerable judgment, initiative and the exercise of leadership and vision in planning, implementing and evaluating library programs, services, and operations. Has access to confidential information involving personnel, bid proposals, negotiating positions, and confidential patron information protected under MGL Ch. 78; occasionally privy to criminal investigations.   Errors could be significant and result in reduced efficiency and productivity of library services and staff, adverse public relations, financial loss or error, legal ramifications, injury to staff, patrons, buildings or equipment, administrative problems. 
 

Responsibility for Operating Budget:
Responsible for administration of municipal Library Department budget (approximately $1,500,000) per annum.
 

Primary Physical Requirements:
Ability to operate and view a computer screen.  Depth, color, peripheral, and distance vision routinely required.  Some lifting, on occasion up to 35 pounds.  Manual use of calculator, Dictaphone, telephone, copying and facsimile machines.  Ability to talk, hear, walk, sit, bend, reach, grasp.  Occasional need to climb, balance, stoop, kneel or crouch.  May be required to push or pull book trucks weighing up to 150 pounds.  Operation of a motor vehicle may be required necessitating a Class D license.
 

*Use F for Frequently,  O for Occasionally,  R for Rarely,  N for Never

Primary Physical Requirements

Other Physical Considerations

 

 

LIFT up to 10 lbs.:  F

Twisting:  O

LIFT 10 to 50 lbs.:  O

Bending:  O

LIFT over 50 lbs.:  N

Squatting:  O

 

Kneeling:  O

CARRY up to 10 lbs.:  F  

Crouching:  O

CARRY 10 to 50 lbs.:  O

KeyboardingF

Repeated wrist rotations; repeated reaching, grasping, and clutching  F

  

CARRY over 50 lbs.:  N

PUSH/PULL:  F

 

 

             DURING AN 8 HOUR DAY,

WORK SURFACE(S)

           EMPLOYEE IS REQUIRED TO:

Desktop/Computer Table

  Consecutive Hours                  Total Hours      

Stationary & Rolling Office Chair

Sit:        1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8                1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Carpeted & Linoleum Floored Offices

Stand:    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8               1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Stairs and Elevators

Walk:    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8               1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Public Workstation


Summary of Occupational Exposures:
 
Work is performed under typical library conditions.  Noise fluctuates from low to loud depending upon the volume of patrons utilizing library collections and equipment, attendance at library programmatic offerings and age of patrons within the facility.

Environment:      

Inside:          98%            Outside:           2%

 

Position Title: LIBRARY DIRECTOR

 

APPROVALS

 

Department Head

 

 

Date

 

Town Manager

 

 

Date

 

Board of Library Trustees Chair

 

 

Date

Human Resources Director

 

 

Date

 

Note:  The purpose of this job description is to provide an outline of the more significant work elements of the position and to organize and present the information in a standard manner.  It is not intended to describe all the elements of the work that may be performed by every individual in this classification, nor should it serve as the sole basis for Human Resource decisions and actions.