West Falmouth Library
Executive Director, West Falmouth Library
West Falmouth Library, West Falmouth, Massachusetts, us, 02574
Be one of the first applicants, read the complete overview of the role below, then send your application for consideration.Position Description: Executive Director(ED)
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ontext
The West Falmouth Library (WFL) is an independent nonprofitoperating in the heart of historic West Falmouth since themid-1870s. We are a gathering place offering books and media, aswell as educational, informational, and cultural events. Our dualroles as a knowledge center and community hub remain vital as weadjust to our patrons’ and our community’s evolving needs;expanding information, media, and technology choices; and changingfunder preferences.
First and foremost, we are a library.
As anindependent library, we must raise funds annually andthrough an endowment to sustain ourselves. Our independence enablesus to offer a unique space for community programming and servicesthat generate operating income. We can leverage the extensiveresources of the Cape Libraries Automated Materials Sharing (CLAMS)network, our own collections, and our dedicated staff to fulfillour function as a library.
As a library, we define ourselves as a “community third spaceinstitution”, reflecting our hybrid role. Remaining a third spaceinstitution (i.e., both library and community hub) provides thecontext for our strategic plan and operating focus. It offers a wayto continue differentiating ourselves, expanding our patronage, andexerting greater influence and impact in an environment alreadyrich in cultural resources.
We seek an Executive Director (ED) who can lead us as acommunity third space institution. The ideal candidate wouldbring a love of libraries and learning (and possibly librarymanagement credentials) as well as experience running a smallcommunity non-profit .
General Description
The Executive Director reports to the Library’s Board ofDirectors and serves as both strategic and operational leader inaccordance with the board's plans and policies. This meansoverseeing daily library operations and developing professionalstaff, submitting grants, organizing and hosting special events andprograms that generate positive net income, and directing ongoingand launching new programs. The Executive Director also representsthe Library to patrons, the Town of Falmouth, and the community atlarge.
Responsibilities fall into three categories:
Working with the Board to execute the Library’sStrategic Plan, 2025-2030
Engaging with the Board to identify and addresscommunity and library needs , providing direction forlibrary resource development, and evaluating the library'seffectiveness in meeting the needs of professional staff, patrons,and the community;
Raising funds
in support of our Strategic Plan(Please see #3 below;)
Implementing our new brand identity
as a thirdspace organization via the Come Find Yourself Here…campaign; shepherding the redesign of web, marketing, andpromotional materials consistent with the new brand identity;
Advising the board in library matters
andkeeping it informed of relevant issues and developments at theregional, state, and national levels, attending all board meetings,providing monthly reports on library activities and importantissues, participating actively in discussions, and contributingideas and suggestions during deliberations;
Working closely with the board's committees ,specifically finance, governance, development, programs, andspecial events;
Making policy recommendations
to the board.Implementing and interpreting policies adopted by it. (Policiesshould include, but not necessarily be limited to, collectiondevelopment, personnel, use of library facilities, and circulationof materials;)
Preparing and managing a budget , includinginitial preparation and recommendations, offered jointly with theTreasurer for Board approval. Approving all invoices for payment bythe Treasurer. Overseeing receipt and recording of all incomereceived and preparing reports to the treasurer. Preparingbi-weekly payroll worksheets for the payroll service.
Directing library operations and managingstaffSupervising,
directly or through delegation , libraryservices, operations, and activities, including, but not limitedto
Selecting and culling materials, as well as developing theoverall collection;
Cataloging and other technical service operations;
Managing reference services for children, adults, and youngadults and other services provided to the general public andspecial user groups;
Engaging with the community: promoting the library and formingpartnerships;
Ensuring the library building and grounds are maintained;Scheduling and supervising the use of the meeting rooms;
Developing an effective library professional staff team, takinginto account the unique knowledge, skills, and abilities of currentpersonnel;
Managing paid professional staff, including annual evaluationsagainst board-agreed goals and measures; administering agreedcompensation and incentive structures;
Overseeing the development, maintenance, and staff training forcomputer operations, including hardware, software, networks, andwebsite updates;
Monitoring local, state, and federal laws and regulationsapplicable to library operation and taking actions to ensurecompliance as appropriate. Overseeing the preparation of annualreports, state reports, and state aid forms and providing otherinformation for reports as needed.
Ensuring the library is represented at CLAMS consortiummeetings.
Providing leadership to our financial andorganizational development goals as a third space non-profitorganization :
Researching opportunities for grants and then preparing grantrequests to town, state, and Federal agencies and private andpublic foundations;
Administering and reporting on awarded funds;
Researching, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding donorprospects, including individuals, foundations, and businesses;
Developing, organizing, and enabling the Library’s volunteerresources;
Developing and implementing a public relations/marketingprogram to promote and publicize the library’s collections,services, and programs consistent with our new brand identity;
Advising the board on the best organizational structures,roles, and reporting relationships needed to ensure our continuingsuccess.
This position description is not intended to be a completestatement of all duties, functions, and responsibilities thatcomprise this job. The Library Director’s job also includes anyother duties that may be deemed necessary by the Board ofDirectors.
Qualifications
We are seeking a leader with executive experience in thenon-profit sector. This will ideally, but not necessarily includelibrary experience. A passion for libraries and an enthusiasm forlearning library operations are vital. Candidates without libraryexperience or training must be willing to enhance their skills inspecific areas deemed critical to overseeing a library.
A bachelor's degree or equivalent is required, as is priorexperience in a supervisory position.
Strong interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills, aswell as customer service skills, are important. An outgoing andempathetic interpersonal style and high emotional intelligence arecritical for developing and maintaining effective workingrelationships with staff, patrons, the Board of Directors,community organizations, and volunteers.
Strong technology and computer skills, including knowledge ofinternet use, proficiency in MS Word and Excel, typical libraryonline services, and some social media, are needed. Awillingness to learn library-specific systems (e.g., the CLAMSoperating system) is important.
Last but not least, the successful candidate will show evidenceof commitment to the WFL’s core values of community service,openness and inclusion, transparency, and personal andorganizational integrity.
This position entails full-time oversight .Given the nature of our work, this means being present and visiblein the library to support staff and engage with the community. Thatsaid, we are flexible in accommodating work arrangements on acase-by-case basis.
Benefits
Compensation and benefits are commensurate with qualificationsand experience.
∞
The West Falmouth Library is committed to maintaining awelcoming, inclusive, and open environment for its staff, patrons,volunteers, board, and members of the community.
We ask interested candidates to submit their qualificationselectronically to kathleenbrysonwfl@gmail.com.Please include a letter outlining your interest in the position andhighlighting your qualifications, along with a current curriculumvitae.
References and background checks will be required for finalistcandidates.
WestFalmouth Library
An independent non-profit community library
575 West Falmouth Highway
West Falmouth, MA 02574
#J-18808-Ljbffr
C
ontext
The West Falmouth Library (WFL) is an independent nonprofitoperating in the heart of historic West Falmouth since themid-1870s. We are a gathering place offering books and media, aswell as educational, informational, and cultural events. Our dualroles as a knowledge center and community hub remain vital as weadjust to our patrons’ and our community’s evolving needs;expanding information, media, and technology choices; and changingfunder preferences.
First and foremost, we are a library.
As anindependent library, we must raise funds annually andthrough an endowment to sustain ourselves. Our independence enablesus to offer a unique space for community programming and servicesthat generate operating income. We can leverage the extensiveresources of the Cape Libraries Automated Materials Sharing (CLAMS)network, our own collections, and our dedicated staff to fulfillour function as a library.
As a library, we define ourselves as a “community third spaceinstitution”, reflecting our hybrid role. Remaining a third spaceinstitution (i.e., both library and community hub) provides thecontext for our strategic plan and operating focus. It offers a wayto continue differentiating ourselves, expanding our patronage, andexerting greater influence and impact in an environment alreadyrich in cultural resources.
We seek an Executive Director (ED) who can lead us as acommunity third space institution. The ideal candidate wouldbring a love of libraries and learning (and possibly librarymanagement credentials) as well as experience running a smallcommunity non-profit .
General Description
The Executive Director reports to the Library’s Board ofDirectors and serves as both strategic and operational leader inaccordance with the board's plans and policies. This meansoverseeing daily library operations and developing professionalstaff, submitting grants, organizing and hosting special events andprograms that generate positive net income, and directing ongoingand launching new programs. The Executive Director also representsthe Library to patrons, the Town of Falmouth, and the community atlarge.
Responsibilities fall into three categories:
Working with the Board to execute the Library’sStrategic Plan, 2025-2030
Engaging with the Board to identify and addresscommunity and library needs , providing direction forlibrary resource development, and evaluating the library'seffectiveness in meeting the needs of professional staff, patrons,and the community;
Raising funds
in support of our Strategic Plan(Please see #3 below;)
Implementing our new brand identity
as a thirdspace organization via the Come Find Yourself Here…campaign; shepherding the redesign of web, marketing, andpromotional materials consistent with the new brand identity;
Advising the board in library matters
andkeeping it informed of relevant issues and developments at theregional, state, and national levels, attending all board meetings,providing monthly reports on library activities and importantissues, participating actively in discussions, and contributingideas and suggestions during deliberations;
Working closely with the board's committees ,specifically finance, governance, development, programs, andspecial events;
Making policy recommendations
to the board.Implementing and interpreting policies adopted by it. (Policiesshould include, but not necessarily be limited to, collectiondevelopment, personnel, use of library facilities, and circulationof materials;)
Preparing and managing a budget , includinginitial preparation and recommendations, offered jointly with theTreasurer for Board approval. Approving all invoices for payment bythe Treasurer. Overseeing receipt and recording of all incomereceived and preparing reports to the treasurer. Preparingbi-weekly payroll worksheets for the payroll service.
Directing library operations and managingstaffSupervising,
directly or through delegation , libraryservices, operations, and activities, including, but not limitedto
Selecting and culling materials, as well as developing theoverall collection;
Cataloging and other technical service operations;
Managing reference services for children, adults, and youngadults and other services provided to the general public andspecial user groups;
Engaging with the community: promoting the library and formingpartnerships;
Ensuring the library building and grounds are maintained;Scheduling and supervising the use of the meeting rooms;
Developing an effective library professional staff team, takinginto account the unique knowledge, skills, and abilities of currentpersonnel;
Managing paid professional staff, including annual evaluationsagainst board-agreed goals and measures; administering agreedcompensation and incentive structures;
Overseeing the development, maintenance, and staff training forcomputer operations, including hardware, software, networks, andwebsite updates;
Monitoring local, state, and federal laws and regulationsapplicable to library operation and taking actions to ensurecompliance as appropriate. Overseeing the preparation of annualreports, state reports, and state aid forms and providing otherinformation for reports as needed.
Ensuring the library is represented at CLAMS consortiummeetings.
Providing leadership to our financial andorganizational development goals as a third space non-profitorganization :
Researching opportunities for grants and then preparing grantrequests to town, state, and Federal agencies and private andpublic foundations;
Administering and reporting on awarded funds;
Researching, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding donorprospects, including individuals, foundations, and businesses;
Developing, organizing, and enabling the Library’s volunteerresources;
Developing and implementing a public relations/marketingprogram to promote and publicize the library’s collections,services, and programs consistent with our new brand identity;
Advising the board on the best organizational structures,roles, and reporting relationships needed to ensure our continuingsuccess.
This position description is not intended to be a completestatement of all duties, functions, and responsibilities thatcomprise this job. The Library Director’s job also includes anyother duties that may be deemed necessary by the Board ofDirectors.
Qualifications
We are seeking a leader with executive experience in thenon-profit sector. This will ideally, but not necessarily includelibrary experience. A passion for libraries and an enthusiasm forlearning library operations are vital. Candidates without libraryexperience or training must be willing to enhance their skills inspecific areas deemed critical to overseeing a library.
A bachelor's degree or equivalent is required, as is priorexperience in a supervisory position.
Strong interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills, aswell as customer service skills, are important. An outgoing andempathetic interpersonal style and high emotional intelligence arecritical for developing and maintaining effective workingrelationships with staff, patrons, the Board of Directors,community organizations, and volunteers.
Strong technology and computer skills, including knowledge ofinternet use, proficiency in MS Word and Excel, typical libraryonline services, and some social media, are needed. Awillingness to learn library-specific systems (e.g., the CLAMSoperating system) is important.
Last but not least, the successful candidate will show evidenceof commitment to the WFL’s core values of community service,openness and inclusion, transparency, and personal andorganizational integrity.
This position entails full-time oversight .Given the nature of our work, this means being present and visiblein the library to support staff and engage with the community. Thatsaid, we are flexible in accommodating work arrangements on acase-by-case basis.
Benefits
Compensation and benefits are commensurate with qualificationsand experience.
∞
The West Falmouth Library is committed to maintaining awelcoming, inclusive, and open environment for its staff, patrons,volunteers, board, and members of the community.
We ask interested candidates to submit their qualificationselectronically to kathleenbrysonwfl@gmail.com.Please include a letter outlining your interest in the position andhighlighting your qualifications, along with a current curriculumvitae.
References and background checks will be required for finalistcandidates.
WestFalmouth Library
An independent non-profit community library
575 West Falmouth Highway
West Falmouth, MA 02574
#J-18808-Ljbffr