Job Description
Somerville is a city that upholds progressive principles for both employees and residents. The City of Somerville embraces and encourages an innovative, empowering, and collaborative workplace culture in a fast-paced, challenging environment. The City also offers a generous benefits package that embodies a strong work-life balance. Not only is Somerville a “Model City,” as termed by The Boston Globe, but it is also a model employer.
Statement of Duties
The Director of Libraries is responsible for the management, planning, direction, administration and evaluation of all library operations to effectively meet the growing diversity of cultural, recreational, informational, and educational library needs of the Somerville community.
Essential Functions
- Develops and institutes short and long-term goals and objectives for Library in conjunction with the Library Board of Trustees.
- Directs all operations of the library including adult services, young adult services, children’s services, branch operations, circulation, technical services, technology services, audio-visual, outreach and mobile services, and reference services.
- Develops, recommends and oversees the administration of the annual library operating budget.
- Recruits, hires, trains and supervises library personnel and volunteers.
- Reviews and implements new technologies and collections for the library. Coordinates, supervises and participates in selecting new materials for the library.
- Oversees the maintenance of the library physical plant in conjunction with the DPW.
- Collects and analyzes pertinent data and statistics; evaluates current programs for services and recommends changes to meet emerging needs.
- Analyses community library needs and need for improvement to operations, procedures, staff organization and physical facilities.
- Develops and directs the implementation of the library’s materials selection policy as well as the expenditure of materials budget and retrospective acquisitions.
- Applies for and oversees the administration of grants awarded to the library. Works in coordination with City grants office.
- Prepares and presents written and oral reports to all Trustees meetings.
- Acts as a policy expert on library services and maintains current knowledge of new legislation, regulations, best practices, and changes in library services and procedures through the review of publications, attendance at meetings, conferences and peer associations.
- Serves as a liaison to the public providing information on library policies, procedures and services as well as responding to customer complaints.
- Oversees the automation of library operations and the maintenance of the automated Minuteman Library Network system; serves as the city’s representative to the Minuteman Library Network and Urban Libraries Council.
- Oversees the development of the Friends of the Library organization and attends meetings of the Board; directs all fund raising activities of the library.
- Responsible for the coordination and maintenance of the Library’s volunteer program.
- Oversees the automation of library operations and the maintenance of the automated Minuteman Library Network System; serves as the City’s representative to the Minuteman Library Network, Massachusetts Library System, Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners, Massachusetts Library Association, Public Library Association, Urban Libraries Council, and the American Library Association.
Education and Experience: Master’s degree in Library Science in a program accredited by the American Library Association, in accordance with State Aid guidelines and at least five (5) years’ experience involving finance, budgeting, facilities, management, library automation and personnel administration, at least three (3) years of which should be in an administrative and/or supervisory capacity, preferable in a municipal library environment or any equivalent combination of education, training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the essential functions of the job.
Special Requirements
Certificate of Professional Librarianship issued by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners or to apply for and receive this soon after hire.
Knowledge, Abilities and Skill
Knowledge: Knowledge of principles, practices, materials and current trends in library science, theories, principles, practices and tools with knowledge of and experience in automated library systems.
Abilities: High degree of initiative, required in planning and implementing all programs of services; ability to exercise considerable judgment in dealing effectively with diverse constituencies in a responsive manner; ability to resolve conflict situation in a calm and constructive manner; ability to set priorities and make effective use of time management; ability to develop effective working relationships with department personnel, subordinates, Trustees, City officials and the public; ability to express oneself clearly and concisely both orally and in writing. Abilities to forge partnerships and professional relationships; ability to manage change
Skill: High degree of management skills, communication skills, as well as leadership skills, including building shared vision and motivating others to perform to the best of their abilities. Data processing skill in the use of personal computers and office software including word processing, data base and spreadsheet applications in support of department operations. The position requires analytical skills to understand structure and improve processes.
Work Environment
The work environment involves everyday discomforts typical of offices or libraries, with occasional exposure to outside elements. Noise or physical surroundings may be distracting, but conditions are generally not unpleasant. Employee may be required to work beyond normal business hours to attend evening meetings.
Physical and Mental Requirements
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the position’s essential function.
Physical Skills
Little or no physical demands are required to perform the work. Work effort principally involves sitting to perform work tasks, with intermittent periods of stooping, walking, and standing. There may also be some occasional lifting of objects such as books, office equipment and computer paper (up to 30 lbs.).
Motor Skills
Duties are largely mental rather than physical, but the job may occasionally require minimal motor skills for activities such as moving objects, operating a telephone system, computer and/or most other office equipment, typing and/or word processing, filing and sorting.
Visual Skills
Visual demands require constantly reading documents for general understanding and analytical purposes.
Application Procedure:
Open Until Filled. Send your resume and cover letter to:
City Hall Personnel Office
93 Highland Avenue
Somerville MA 02143
Fax: 617-666-4426
TTY: 1-866-808-4851
Email: employment_opportunities@somervillema.gov
City of Somerville residents are especially encouraged to apply.
The City of Somerville is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, age, national origin, disability or any other protected category. Women, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Auxiliary aids and services, written materials in alternative formats, and reasonable modifications in policies and procedures will be provided to qualified individuals with disabilities free of charge, upon request.
Hours: Full Time
Salary: 112, 200.00 per year plus benefits
HR Info
Application Procedure:
Open Until Filled. Send your resume and cover letter to:
City Hall Personnel Office
93 Highland Avenue
Somerville MA 02143
Fax: 617-666-4426
TTY: 1-866-808-4851
Email: employment_opportunities@somervillema.gov