Library Director Opportunity Statement & Application Process
The Jackson Memorial Library (JML), an integral part of the St. George community since its founding in 1935, is preparing for a transition in leadership and seeks a new Library Director. The current Director, Sharon Moskowitz, has announced her retirement, effective June 20, 2025.
The library provides information, materials, services, and programs to families and individuals of all ages for their education, enrichment and personal enjoyment. It provides a welcoming and comfortable public space for social interaction, civic engagement and quiet study and in many ways functions as the Peninsula’s living room. In addition, it provides library services for the St. George elementary school children. The library is the community center for the town.
THE PROGRAM AND CAMPUS
Situated on seven acres adjacent to the St. George School and the St. George School Nature Trail, the library is a gateway to nature as well as knowledge and community. Operated as a non-profit, JML is generally open 34 hours a week, including Saturday mornings. Library cards are free for residents and property owners and are available for $15 per year for non-residents. Currently, there are 1,700 patrons, including both year-round and summer residents and visitors. All school children have library cards.
In addition to a collection of more than 33,000 books (hard copy and cloud), there is a tool and an audio library, used books and puzzles store, hoop house garden and outdoor garden plots, hot spots available for loan, Wi-Fi access, inter-library loan, and other options. For adults, programming includes Bridge, Mahjong, Qi Gong, Handcrafting, Tech Time, book clubs, cooking classes, cribbage, and more. Throughout the year authors and various guest speakers enhance adults’ experience. Every month an artist’s work is featured in the conference room, and one month in spring is set aside for a student exhibit. The summer Book Fair both builds community and provides financial support.
Having provided pre-Kindergarten for several years, when that grade was absorbed into the St. George School in 2023, JML began a new program based on The Power of Play. This program meets the exploratory, sensory and literary needs for our town’s children from birth to four years old. The program meets three mornings a week.
The library’s formal connection to the school includes providing approximately seven hours of classroom programming weekly, after school activities, and occasional additional specific library-based assignments. Classes come to the library.
The library building has six rooms in two stories, including a children’s room, a reading/periodicals room, meeting room, the easily reconfigured stacks, and a book/puzzle sale room. The third floor contains two apartments that JML rents. A new outdoor playground for youngsters, the hoop house and garden, and trails down to the marsh are all part of the property.
THE OPPORTUNITY
JML’s next Director will find a library that is financially secure, with an active volunteer support system, a healthy endowment, and successful programs. The Director works with the Volunteer Coordinator, an assistant and a bookkeeper, and reports to and works collaboratively with the Board of Trustees.
The JML Board has begun a strategic planning process and looks forward to including the new Director in that discussion. The Board is interested in exploring approaches to program growth and evolution in the coming years. Part of the Director’s work happens through Board committees: Book Selection, Buildings & Grounds, Development, Finance, Library Services, and Personnel are the standing committees.
The next Director will be able to articulate compellingly the value of a library in the lives of people of all ages and for the community, will act as a visible, engaged advocate, will have an understanding of budgets and technology, will enjoy managing and empowering both staff and volunteers, and will embrace opportunities for fundraising.
The Director will be a resource for patrons seeking a variety of reading options, will enjoy engaging with patrons of all ages about books and other resources, and will seek to remain current with professional standards and protocols. The Director will be a collaborative decision maker, able to listen, clarify issues, make decisions, provide direction, manage projects, and exhibit strong verbal and written communication skills. In this small community environment, valuing direct connection with children and adults will be essential, as will an appreciation for differences. In addition, the ability to be flexible and unflappable while enjoying some degree of creative chaos will be ideal.
The Board anticipates that the compensation package will be competitive with area libraries of JML’s size. A Bachelor’s degree, library certification, and/or extensive library or related transferable experience is desirable, and a background check is required. While an MLS is ideal, it is not essential. The start date is negotiable with a goal of June 1, 2025.
PROCESS
Candidates should send a letter of interest, a resume, a statement of philosophy, and a list of three professional references to directorsearch@jacksonmemoriallibrary.org. The deadline for expressions of interest is February 1, 2025. Chris Williamson from the Search Committee will respond to your interest, and the committee expects to begin interviewing by late February. The Jackson Memorial Library is an equal opportunity employer. Information about the library and the search process can be found at Director Search — Jackson Memorial Library (https//:www.jacksonmemoriallibrary.org).
Posted December 19, 2024.