Town Librarian
Fairfield (CT) Public Library
Find Your Home in Fairfield! The Town of Fairfield (CT) seeks a Town Librarian to build on the Library’s recent successes and lead it to new levels of excellence. Fairfield was ranked #9 as “the Best Place to Live in the US” (and #1 in the northeast) by CNN-Money.com in 2006. The Fairfield Library System serves a community of 58,000, in which 70% of all households have a library card with an approximate annual circulation of one million! Consisting of a Main library (60,000 sq. ft. building fully renovated in 2006, including the addition of an innovative Children’s space and the outstanding Bruce S. Kershner gallery) and the busiest branch in CT at 19,000 sq. ft., the Library is dedicated to its mission of strong public programming and services. The new Town Librarian will work with a committed staff (44 FTEs), an energetic core of volunteers, an established Friends of the Library group, and a $4.1 million budget to deliver quality services. The challenge for the next Town Librarian will be to move forward on the Library's Long Range Plan developed in 2008, including plans to renovate the branch while also leveraging strong community relationships and partnerships to continue the outstanding levels of service and programs. Additional information on the Library, Fairfield, and the surrounding area can be found at http://www.gossagesager.com/Fairfieldlinks.htm
Responsibilities. The Town Librarian of the Fairfield Public Library reports to a six-member Library Board of Trustees, serves as a Town department head (reporting to the First Selectman on administration matters), and works with the Board, staff, First Selectman, and major stakeholders to establish the strategic vision for the Library, aligning the Library’s mission, goals and objectives with the community’s needs and priorities. Overall responsibilities include: developing and maintaining effective internal and external communications; building and leading a diverse team of talented professionals to manage Library operations; planning, evaluation and oversight of the library budget; strengthening current governmental funding sources; working with the Fairfield Friends to develop additional revenue sources; and developing and maintaining partnerships with local, state and regional organizations and agencies.
See http://www.gossagesager.com/FairfieldPublicLibraryjobdesc.doc for the complete job description.
Qualifications. A master’s degree in library science from an ALA accredited program and a minimum of five years of increasingly responsible administrative library experience including a minimum of three years supervisory experience. Essential attributes and skills include: vision, creativity, energy and enthusiasm; superior written and oral communications ability; demonstrated success in effectively promoting library services to the community; political acumen; collaborative and consensus-building skills; and a thorough knowledge of current trends and “best practices” for library service. Proven success working effectively with a policy-making board, unions, and collaboratively with city officials is desirable.
Compensation. A starting salary range of $105,000-$115,000 (with final placement dependent upon experience and qualifications) and an outstanding fringe benefits package.
For further information, contact Gossage Sager Associates/Bradbury Associates via email or call 816-531-2468. Apply via email with a meaningful cover letter and your resume as Word attachments to DanBradbury@gossagesager.com or JobethBradbury@gossagesager.com. The position closes December 13, 2009.
posted 10-26-2009Library Director
Somerset County (NJ) Library System
Position: Library Director, grade 22
Reports to:Somerset County Library Commission
Location: Somerset County Library Headquarters, Bridgewater Library
Hours:37.5 hours/week (including evening and weekend hours as necessary)
Annual salary: $123,815 Negotiable depending upon qualifications
The Somerset County Library Commission is seeking a forward-thinking leader with broad experience in library administration and management to lead the Somerset County Library System in “making a difference in people’s lives”. As the chief administrator of New Jersey’s premier county library system, the Library Director will effectively guide the SCLS as it implements the next generation of library programs and services.
The successful candidate will possess the qualities and skills necessary for leading and directing the SCLS Management Team and staff as they pursue goals and initiatives related to providing excellent customer service and delivery of information needs. The successful candidate will be a proponent for the advancement of library services, will actively represent the Library within the community and to government officials, and will effectively communicate the value of the SCLS to those it serves.
Located in historic Somerset County, the SCLS will be celebrating its 80th anniversary in 2010. SCLS is comprised of eight unique branches and two reading stations serving 13 richly diverse member municipalities and more than 188,000 residents. Each branch expresses its’ community’s individuality while enjoying the benefits of belonging to a system that is ranked as being the highest circulating library per capita (population over 100,000) in New Jersey. The successful candidate will manage a system-wide budget of approximately $14,000,000.
Thanks to the tireless efforts of the library’s 275 librarians and support staff, the SCLS has amassed an impressive print collection (780,000 items,) a well-circulated digital media collection (3,000 items) and more than 70 online databases available within and outside of the library. The library’s virtual branch has well over two million visitors each year and offers patrons the ability to manage their library accounts online, including paying overdue fees, placing holds, and registering for library programs.
The Director of the Somerset County Library System will:
- implement the Library’s mission through the planning and development of library programs and services that respond to community needs, incorporate advances in technology, reflect trends within the library profession, and support the service priorities and goals stated in the SCLS Strategic Plan.
- effectively communicate the Library’s mission, vision and services clearly and enthusiastically to staff, library users, elected officials and the general public and advocate for library services on the local, county, state and national levels.
- demonstrate managerial competence as well as fiscal and ethical responsibility in the development and management of the SCLS system-wide budget and the approval of programs, services, and expenditures.
- manage this large multi-location library system in a way which allows for branch-specific provision of programs and services that meets the needs of particular communities while maintaining a system structure that provides consistency of service and strong financial and personnel resources.
Qualified candidates will possess a New Jersey Librarian’s certificate or the ability to obtain one, an MLS (ALA accredited program preferred) and a minimum of 10 years of increasingly responsible administrative experience supervising staff and managing the programs, services and operations of a public library system, municipal library, branch library or public service department within a large library.
For additional information about this challenging and rewarding opportunity and to learn more about the Somerset County Library System, visit our website at www.somerset.lib.nj.us. To apply, submit a resume and cover letter that includes specific information regarding the nature and scope of your budgeting experience and responsibilities to Deanna Gray, HR Manager, Somerset County Library System, PO Box 6700, Bridgewater, NJ 08807 or via email to dgray@sclsnj.org. First consideration will be given to applications received on or before October 30, 2009.
posted 10/6/2009
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