The Board of Trustees of the Hawn Memorial Library in Clayton, New York, is seeking a dynamic, creative and community focused individual to lead the Hawn Memorial Library as Library Director. Chartered in 1952, the Hawn Memorial Library is a municipal library primarily serving the residents of Clayton and surrounding towns. The library, which is a member of the North Country Library System, has become a meeting place, cultural center, and technology hub for the community and surrounding area. Clayton is located in northern New York state- bordered by the St. Lawrence River and Canada to the north, and close to many sites of natural beauty in the Thousand Islands region. Clayton is a popular tourist destination and has many seasonal homes. This creates an influx of patrons over the summer.
The nine-member appointed Board of Trustees governs the library and provides board policy guidance and direction to the Library Director. The Library Director is a full-time (40 hours/week) professional position that supervises 1 full time and 2 part-time positions. The primary responsibilities of the Library Director include administering the day to day operations of the Library and its staff (including planning, developing, and implementing library services); promoting fiscal responsibility and growth through transparent budgeting and grant writing; and evaluating the effectiveness of library services in relation to the evolving needs of the local community and the library’s long-range plan.
The ideal candidate will be experienced in cultivating community relationships, will have an understanding of the unique challenges facing a rural municipal library, and is committed to working closely with the Board to establish and maintain a sustainable budget that meets the community’s needs.
Other key duties include:
Leadership and Strategic Planning
● Develop short-term and long-range goals and strategic plans in keeping with the mission and policies of the library.
● Maintain knowledge of new developments in the library profession through participation in professional organizations, meetings, and continuing education programs.
● Work to promote the professional development and growth of library staff.
Financial Planning
● Develop an annual budget in cooperation with the library board finance committee.
● Responsible for directly working with the library accountant on library expenditures and collection of revenues.
● Identify and pursue grant opportunities.
Programming and Community Outreach
● Develop and implement new services and programs that align with the library’s mission and community needs such as cultural, art, fitness, technology, literacy, or children’s programs.
● Advocate for and promote the library through active community involvement, and an interactive and robust social media presence.
● Serve as the public face of the library, representing the library’s interests before governmental agencies and community groups as needed.
Management and Administrative Oversight
● Direct the day to day operations of Hawn Memorial Library, directly or through appropriate delegation.
● Manage the collection to include overseeing acquisitions and weeding, circulation, reference and reader advisories.
● Schedule and supervise library personnel including hiring, training, and evaluating full time and part time employees.
● Recommend employee actions (such as promotions, transfers, or dismissals) to the Board.
● Establish and maintain a manual of library policies and procedures.
● Supervise the maintenance of library property and recommend repairs, improvements, alterations, and construction.
Qualifications:
The successful candidate will possess at least a 2 year degree although 4 year degree preferred.
Salary and Benefits:
The salary range is $35,000-$40,000 commensurate with qualifications and experience. Benefits include participation in New York State & Local Retirement System, health allotment, vacation, sick and personal leave.
Civil Service and Residency Requirements:
This is a provisional Civil Service appointment. The civil service exam for Library Director I will be through Jefferson County. In order to retain the permanent appointment, the selected candidate will have to fulfill Jefferson County’s Civil Service requirements for Library Director I and must be among the three highest-scoring candidates willing to accept the position.
To Apply:
Interested candidates should send a cover letter, resume and the names and contact information for three professional references to:
Attn.: Deborah Hunter, President
Hawn Memorial Library Board of Trustees
220 John Street
Clayton, New York 13624
Or email documents as pdf attachment [email protected] with the subject line “Library Director”.
Review of applications will begin April 17th; applications accepted until the position is filled.
