Job Description for Library Director The Library Board of Trustees is seeking an individual with a proven record of success in public libraries to serve as the library's next director. The Board seeks a candidate who can guide an already excellent community library into the future. Following is the description of duties: The library board is responsible for broad policymaking for the Indian River Area Library. The library director is responsible for carrying out those policies in the day-to-day management of the library. It follows that the board's most important function is to hire a good director and then to delegate to him/her sufficent authority to run the library. The board is responsible for hiring, supervising, and evaluating the director. The board, however, delegates to the library director the hiring, supervision, and evaluation of all other staff. In essence, the board has one employee : the director. The director is the person appointed by the board of trustees to administer the library, chosen because of his/her professional competence to carry out this responsibility. The director's primary duty is to assist the library board in making sound decisions on behalf of the public it serves. The director fulfills this duty by undertaking and managing the following responsibilities : 1. ADMINISTRATION. The director assumes full responsibility for administration of the library within the framework of board-approved By-laws, Library Mission Statement, policy manual and budget. The director reports on each area at board meetings and keeps the board current with any new developments via e-mail. The director attends all regular board meetings and, when requested, special board meetings. The director serves as ex-officio member of any library committees. In addition, the director attends Friends of the Library monthly meetings. * Oversees all library operations and is responsible for developing procedures that efficiently conduct library operations and reflect the policies set in place by the Library Board of Trustees. * Maintains up-to-date statistics for library use including library visits, circulation, computer and wifi use, program attendance, collection data and eBook circulation statistics. * Is responsible for ordering all supplies including those necessary for processing library materials, equipment supplies, and any other miscellaneous items needed to run an efficient library facility. 2. HUMAN RESOURCES. The director employs, supervises, and schedules all staff and volunteers. * Trains each staff member and volunteer for daily operations and recommends additional reading and/or seminars/webinars, if needed, for individual positions. * Maximizes each employee's and volunteer's potential by recognizing strengths and encouraging staff to use these strengths to assist with library goals. * Works with community organizations and agencies to develop cooperative programs and services as appropriate. COLLECTION DEVELOPMENT. The director manages the selection and purchase of library materials, including physical books, eBooks, periodicals, audio-visual items, and software. * Negotiates contracts for materials such as downloadable eBooks, telephone service, etc. * Oversees cataloging of all items added to the collection. PLANNING. The director works with the board on strategic planning, helping to analyze the library's strengths and weaknesses, to assess community needs, to recommend plans for the library's continued success and growth, and specifically, the means to implement those plans. The director administers the strategic plan adopted by the board. 5. POLICIES. The director recommends policies as needed and advises the board on the merits of decisions under consideration. The director administers the library in accordance with adopted policies, and interprets policies to staff and public. 6. FINANCE. The director prepares annual budgets, with information provided by the Board Treasurer and County Treasurer, for discussion and adoption by the Board, based on present and anticipated needs in relation to the library's strategic plan. The director supplies information to the board to aid in the board's interpretation of the library's financial needs. The director decides on the use of money within the budget areas and recommends budget revision when needed for planned or unexpected expenditures. * With the assistance of the Treasurer, completes and submits the Annual Report to the State along with other surveys as requested throughout the year. * Prepares and submits the applications for USAC monies. * Seeks out and applies for grants and alternative funding sources. 7. ADVOCACY. The director participates in community and networking opportunities as an ambassador for the Library and works with other local agencies and groups on behalf of the Library. The director seeks to influence governmental action at the local, state and national levels on behalf of public library services. The director calls the board's attention to any pending legislation that could affect library funding. 8. CONTINUING EDUCATION. The director remains informed about current library trends by attending Northland Library Coooperative meetings, reading current library literature, and attending conferences and workshops when possible. The director helps orient new trustees and, by supplying relevant information, encourages board members to study library-related topics. The director brings to attention of trustees any important meetings for them to attend and recommends budget allotments for librarian and trustee expenses for membership and attendance at these educational meetings. 9. AUTOMATION. The director is responsible for insuring that the library has sufficient computer capacity and equipment to meet the needs of the staff and public. * Is responsible for maintaining the integrity of the library automation system, working with the vendor to promptly recognize and fix problems that arise. * Is responsible for maintaining public computers for patron use, including Internet connections, software updates and installations, and printer operations. * Seeks technology support services when necessary. 10. COMMUNICATIONS. The director is responsible for the smooth transmission of all communications between and among the Board of Trustees, library staff, library volunteers, Northland Library Cooperative, Friends of the Indian River Area Library, and the general public. * Communications must be clear, concise, explanatory, and conveyed using proper English grammar. They should be formatted for the appropriate audience. * The director, as the "face of the Library," is the official spokesperson with all media contacts. Media messages and concerns, responses to questions, and press releases will be handled by the Director with the advice of the Board President or designee. * Requests for funds from Friends or other groups or supporters should be conveyed via the Director. Where appropriate the director may request assistance in making the request from one who has ongoing relationships with the person or group. * Expedites FOIA requests. * Mediates customers' complaints or concerns, including grievances over objectionable materials. PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS. The director must be able to perform the following : * Ability to operate and maneuver equipment, such as computer keyboards, photocopiers, calculators, telephones, telefaxes and other technology as the library would acquire. * Ability to coordinate eyes, hands, feet and limbs in performing movements such as reading, typing and sitting. * Ability to exert moderate physical effort in sedentary to light work, typically involving some combination of stooping, kneeling, crouching and crawling, lifting, carrying, pushing and pulling. * Ability to recognize and identify degrees of similarities or differences between characteristics of colors, forms, sounds and odors associated with job-related objects, materials, and tasks. APPROVED APRIL 19, 2016 Additional Job Information. * Works under the direction of the elected Library Board. * Customer Service. Assists and interacts with diverse groups of patrons, providing for their needs in a timely manner, and maintaining patron confidentiality. Assists patrons to find answers to reference questions with patron sensitivity. Provides computer assistance to patrons and monitors their use of computers. * Collection Management. Oversees the selection, cataloging, and maintenance of the total collection, including the special collections of music and small business materials. * Professional. Attends educational workshops and webinars. Assists Board with keeping library policies updated. * Staff. Maintains effective communication with the staff and volunteers at all times. Responsible for annual staff evaluation process. * Technology. Keeps abreast of technological advances and leads staff implementation for new technology. * Within budget, purchases library materials, supplies, and services. * Advises the Library Board when changes to expenditures becomes necessary. * Represents the library at relevant town, school, and community group meetings. * Works to make the library a community center and the first place they think of for information needs. * Helps create library programs for adults and children. * Needs to be willing to work above and beyond the minimum required hours per week to get the job done. It is assumed and expected that the Director would have casual overtime from time to time that is not compensated. * Occasional extra scheduled evenings or Saturday hours my be needed. * Keeps the Board informed of the Library's progress and problems. * Ability to use functional reasoning in performing functions such as supervising, managing, leading, and teaching. * Ability to make decisions and suggestions based on good judgment, integrity, resourcefulness and initiative in situations involving the evaluation of information against sensory and/or judgmental criteria. * Ensures that Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) are practiced. * Advocates for library funding, intellectual freedom and first amendment rights. * Sees that donations and memorial gifts are properly adknowledged and fulfilled. * Be detail oriented, completing tasks quickly and correctly. * Knowledge of professional ethics and library standards. * Sense of humor and intellectual curiosity! And don't forget to do the recycling every week!