Library Director

William Jeanes Memorial Library Ÿ Whitemarsh Township Ÿ Pennsylvania

4051 Joshua Road Ÿ Lafayette Hill, PA 19444 Ÿ (610) 828-0441

The Board of Directors of the William Jeanes Memorial Library of Whitemarsh Township (PA) seeks to hire a dynamic professional to serve as Library Director. In addition to the routine responsibilities of overseeing daily operations including personnel and facility management, and budget development and oversight, the new director will work closely with the Board of Directors to finalize and implement a facility renovation and expansion plan.

Located in Montgomery County, Whitemarsh Township offers highly rated public and private schools, preserved open space, a mix of housing options, historic sites, public recreational facilities, bike trails, and golf courses. It is immediately adjacent to Philadelphia and is linked to that cosmopolitan hub through a network of roads and public transit routes. The Township encompasses 14.53-square miles and is home to 17,000 residents. Its southwestern border is formed by the Schuylkill River. To the north and west are highways that provide easy access to communities in nearby regions.

The William Jeanes Memorial Library is a non-profit corporation, governed by a Board of Directors, of which four of its seven members are appointed by the Whitemarsh Township Board of Supervisors. The Township provides significant financial support, which is supplemented by contributions from the Friends of the Library, individual gifts, grants, and an annual allocation of Commonwealth Library funds. The library circulates 100,000 items per year, has a budget of $500,000, and employs 10 FTE. The current library building, constructed in 1971, contains just less than 11,000 square feet and is located on a 3-acre parcel.

Qualifications

The new Director must understand the importance of community-building and welcome the opportunity to engage Board members, staff, patrons, government officials, and potential donors in enhancing library services and facilities. Specific skills necessary to fill this role include:

§ MLS or MLIS from an ALA-accredited school.

§ Public library experience with a minimum of five years of progressively responsible duties, including at least three years supervising a public library department or directing a smaller public library.

§ Thorough working knowledge of library administration, reference sources, and emerging library service issues, including innovations in technology.

§ Familiarity and comfort with budget preparation, fundraising, and grant writing.

§ Skill in organizing, managing, motivating, and evaluating staff and volunteers.

§ Proficiency in Microsoft Office software; knowledge of Polaris system is a plus.

§ Ability to define issues or opportunities, collect relevant data, establish facts, reach valid conclusions, and present recommendations.

§ Demonstrated excellence in communication skills, both verbal and written, including the ability to assemble and present information to the public.

This is a full-time position offering a competitive salary and benefits.

To apply for this position, please mail cover letter, resume, references, and salary history to: Allen M. Mandelbaum, Esq., 1000 Germantown Pike, Suite D-3, Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462.