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).

Library Director Job Description

Management

1. Serve as Director of the Library under the supervision of the Library’s Board of Directors

2. Responsible for the functioning of the library as a whole with specific responsibilities including but not limited to managing staff (including hiring, discipline, termination)

3. Work in conjunction with the Board in the development of the short- and long-range library plans

4. Prepare and manage the library budget with assistance of the Finance Committee and Bookkeeper

5. Work with Volunteer Coordinator

6. Manage scheduling and assure coverage when open, including Saturday hours

7. Oversee newsletter, web presence, press releases, and other media activity

8. Direct the maintenance and improvement of the library’s facilities and equipment

9. Provide oversight of book fair and other library activities

10. Attend board and relevant committee meetings

11. Prepare monthly Director’s report

12. Manage banking deposits and payment of the bills

Library Services

1. Develop the collection (children, young adults and adults) and manage book selection committee

2. Manage the library’s software program, Koha, and generate necessary reports

3. Oversee the acquisitions for Tool Library

4. Provide oversight of Inter-Library loan service

5. Provide oversight for all programs at JML

6. Provide oversight of bookstore and donations

Education

1. Assure the continuation of the Power of Play program for Birth to 4 years old

2. Provide library services to the school children from St. George MSU at the JML. May attend curriculum committee meeting(s) (note: not a school employee)

3. Serve as liaison for youth activities between library, town, Community Development Corporation (CDC), and school

4. Develop opportunities for adult programs (book clubs, literary series, etc)

Outreach

1. Represent the library at town functions, including budget and town meeting and organizations such as the St. George Business Alliance

2. Work with Board to identify, cultivate and retain patrons and donors and use the Development software Little Green Light

3. Identify and ideally write grants and seek other funding opportunities

4. Work with the Volunteer Coordinator to recruit volunteers to accomplish certain tasks

5. Participate in statewide Library programs relevant to the success of our library

Attributes

1. Collaborative and consensus builder

2. Patient, kind and friendly

3. Ability to work cooperatively and comfortably with Board, Volunteers and Public

4. Problem solver with ability to multitask

5. Good communication skills (written and verbal)

6. Ability to delegate and set realistic boundaries and limits

7. Comfortable with standard Microsoft/Google products, including Google Drive

8. Knowledge of Common Sense Media and resources to support best media practices

9. Comfortable solving rudimentary technology issues

10. Supports the Library’s policy against banning books

11. Good working with deadlines

12. Visionary/ Strategic thinker (big picture)

• Listing ID: 12697