Library Director

  • Library: Rye Public Library
  • Town: Rye, NH
  • Library Type: Public
  • Position Type: MLS Preferred
  • Deadline: October 1, 2025

Description, How to Apply, and Contact:

POSITION: Library Director, RYE NH
EMPLOYEE TYPE: Full Time

GENERAL SUMMARY

Plans, organizes, directs and evaluates all aspects of public library services in conformance with Library Board of Trustees policies, applicable bylaws of the Town of Rye, and the laws of New Hampshire. Responsible for representing the Library to patrons, and enhancing the Library profile throughout the Rye, Seacoast, and New Hampshire library communities.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Develops and maintains the library's strategic plan, outlining immediate and long-range goals, together with the Rye Public Library's Board of Trustees and the Rye community.
  • In collaboration with the Rye Public Library Trustees, prepares and presents the annual operating budget for the Rye Public Library.
  • Researches, recommends and implements library policies for Board approval.
  • Maintains weekly payroll records and manages tabulation of employees timecard and benefit time reporting, providing quarterly updates to Town Hall.
  • Plans and organizes all library services, facilities, and collections- including managing the upgrade of technology for staff and public use as necessary.
  • Prepares and implements working budget plans to include authorization of all bill payments.
  • Performs bookkeeping, including bill paying and reconciliation for all library accounts
  • Recruits, interviews, selects, supervises, and evaluates library staff.
  • Recruits, interviews, and selects volunteers. Oversees the library volunteer program including: recommending policy revisions, developing and maintaining current job descriptions based on service needs, participating in the interview process, training new volunteers, assigning tasks, and supervising performance consistent with RPL Volunteer Policy.
  • Plans for staff development and continuing education.
  • Oversees the public relations activities of the library including newsletters, press releases, brochures library web site, and applicable social media.
  • Promotes library community relations to encourage utilization of library facilities. Plans and carries out specific programs of public relations, speaks to community groups and at public meetings, and maintains effective relationships with the general public, donors, Board of Trustee members, Friends of the Library and other town and state officials.
  • Pursues opportunities for grant funding from state and federal sources, foundations and corporate donors. Administers all such funds according to specified guidelines and ensures timely filing of all required reports.
  • Ensures appropriate contracts, or establishes contact lists for contractors to carry out the maintenance and care of library building and grounds.
  • Responsible for timely and accurate reporting of all monthly financial activity within accounts overseen by the Library.
  • Maintains administrative and operating records, prepares statistical reports for Board of Trustees and annual reports for the town and New Hampshire State Library.
  • Participates in daily library services such as, circulation, reference, material selection, patron communications, community and electronic outreach, etc.
  • Maintains current knowledge of new developments in the field of library science, takes active part in professional conferences, meetings and workshops reporting to Trustees and fellow staff members.

OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Performs other related duties as requested.

SUPERVISORY CONTROLS

The Board of Trustees assign work in terms of broadly defined missions or functions. The Director has responsibility for planning, designing and carrying out programs, projects, studies or other work independently. Results of the work are considered as technically authoritative and are normally accepted without significant change. Recommendations for new projects and alterations of objectives are usually evaluated for such considerations as availability of funds and other resources, broad program goals or organizational priorities.

GUIDELINES

Guidelines include Library vision and mission statements, policies, supporting documents and statements, procedures, federal employment guidelines, federal and state laws and Town ordinances. This position develops department guidelines. The Director must use judgment and ingenuity in interpreting the intent of the guides that do exist and in developing applications to specific areas of work. Frequently, the Director is recognized as a technical authority in the development and interpretation of guidelines.

DESIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience:

Master's Degree in Library Science from an accredited college or university and five years' experience in a library supervisory and/or administrative position or any equivalent combination of experience and training providing the required knowledge.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

  • Duties require strong working knowledge of current methods, practices and procedures of library administration and management as applied to the operation of a library system, including personnel, planning and budget control.
  • Comprehensive knowledge of community library needs and interests and of publisher and dealer practices is required.
  • Ability to establish and maintain administrative records and controls, to prepare periodic and special reports, to conceptualize operational goals and objectives, to analyze professional and administrative problems, and to evaluate and recommend revisions for library services is essential in performing the functions of this position.
  • Ability to market ideas and interact effectively is required.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

  • Exercises overall supervision of the entire library and is responsible for the overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of the library.
  • Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organizations policies and applicable laws.
  • Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees, planning, assigning and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

LICENSING AND CERTIFICATION

None

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED

Computers, software, copiers, fax machine, scanners, AV equipment, book cart/truck, ladders and other general office equipment as well as basic hand tools.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

  • 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 essential functions.
  • While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk, see or hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 35 pounds.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

  • The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
  • Work is primarily performed in a library setting. Evening and weekend hours are required.

External and internal applicants, as well as position incumbents who become disabled as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, must be able to perform the essential job functions (as listed) either unaided or with the assistance of a reasonable accommodation to be determined by management on a case-by-case basis.

Starting Salary Range: $85,000 to $92,000 with competitive benefits package

Closing Date: Open until filled

To Apply: Please send letter of application and resume to Julie Tucker, Secretary, Rye Library Board of Trustees, Email: julietucker960@gmail.com

Salary: $83,000 to $92,000

Website: www.ryepubliclibrary.org/

Source: 2025- 07-27