Job Description
our thriving town library. The ideal candidate will not only possess the technical and managerial skills of a Director, but will be equally accomplished in building connections with staff, patrons, the community, and other stakeholders of New London, NH. The new Director will be ready to enhance the Library’s role in a world that continues to change.
The Director reports to a seven-member elected governing Board and works collaboratively with the library staff, the Friends of the Library, community partners, and the Town of New London to provide essential library programs to its 4,600 residents. Supported by a $600,000 municipal appropriation, the Library is proud of its many services, including homebound delivery, digital offerings, a public meeting room, museum passes, and the Tracy Little Free Library at Bucklin Beach. The community also enjoys the Olmstead designed Garden at Tracy Library. The garden was completed in 1926 and restored in 2002 with community and financial support. Jane Tracy’s vision of a garden enjoyed by all, lives on through the help of generous donors and hardworking volunteers.
Key opportunities for a new Director are enhancing library services, strengthening the development of staff, implementing the recommendations of the newly executed Strategic Plan conducted with the support of ReThinking Libraries , and continuing to update, renovate, and maintain the Library facility.
Responsibilities. The Library Director formulates and oversees implementation of library goals, policy recommendations, procedures, programs, and projects in accordance with policies established by the Library Board of Trustees in accordance with the NH Library Association. Providing vision, direction, and leadership, the Director is responsible for, but not limited to, the delivery of library services; oversight of human resources; development and presentation of the annual budget; coordination of collaborative, strong relationships with the Library Board and the Friends of the Library; and a continued knowledge and interest of current trends in public libraries.
Qualifications. Minimum qualifications include a Master’s degree in library or information science from an ALA-accredited program and five years of supervisory and managerial library experience. Essential attributes include personal integrity, demonstrated skill and experience with budgeting, excellent interpersonal and consensus-building skills, a focus on creating a culture of trust and collaboration with internal and external stakeholders and a demonstrated ability to provide leadership throughout the library. The Director should possess demonstrable communication skills collaborating with the library, its staff and stakeholders and the community. A sense of curiosity, creativity, and innovation; a thorough knowledge of current trends, technologies and “best practices” for libraries; the ability to blend tradition with change; and prior successful experience reporting to a governing Board are desirable attributes and qualifications for the next Tracy Memorial Library Director.
Other Considerations/Requirements. We are looking for someone who is ready to be “the face of Tracy Memorial Library” in our community. Someone who is a great communicator and multi-tasker, who will find innovative ways to connect our services and patrons. Someone who knows the library workday can be variable and include everything from handing a beaming child their first library card to triaging facility issues with grace and patience. Someone who understands and appreciates a much beloved small-town library.
Compensation. The hiring salary range is $70,000-85,000 (dependent on experience and qualifications), and an attractive fringe benefits package.
For further information, contact the Board of Trustees at Tracy Memorial Library at DirectorSearch@tracylibrary.org Apply via email with a meaningful cover letter and your resume as Word or pdf attachments to DirectorSearch@tracylibrary.org. This position posting closes March 8, 2024.
Benefits & Additional Compensation Info
Compensation. The hiring salary range is $70,000-85,000 (dependent on experience and qualifications), and an attractive fringe benefits package through the Town of New London.
The Community
Our Community. The Town of New London is located in the beautiful Dartmouth-Lake Sunapee Region of New Hampshire. It offers four seasons of unique retail, fine dining, and entertainment. Springtime is best for trail exploring; summer brings band concerts, festivals, fairs and parades; fall brings autumn foliage; and winter activities include skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling. Attractions include the Town Common—a lovely place to sit and relax, Main Street—small shops, casual eateries, and historic buildings, the Bob Andrews Memorial Ice Rink, and Pleasant Lake with its beautiful beach and lake for kayakers, boaters, and canoeists. New London students attend the Kearsarge Regional School District serving seven communities. For more information about the Library and the Town of New London, visit New London Links.