Library Director

The Elizabeth Public Library seeks a creative and strategic thinker with a minimum of 5 years managerial / supervisory experience as its next Director.  Serving New Jersey’s 4th largest city, with a population of 137,000 that is urban, immigrant, and diversified, via a budget of $4.9 million and a staff of 55 FTE, the Library serves as a hub for community well-being, inspiration, and learning.  Housed in an historic Beaux Arts building of 55,000 square feet, with 3 smaller satellite branches, the Library works closely with the local municipality, Union County, and a range of non-profit entities, providing weekly Citizenship classes, nearly daily literacy classes, and a monthly homeless-needs focus group.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

-Knowledge of library principles, practices, organizations and library services.

-Tactful, direct communicator who fosters trust and transparency while building strong relationships.

-Proven experience in successful financial management and budgeting.

-Ability to maximize the use of limited resources to attain outcomes.

-Collaborative approach to project planning, design and implementation.

-Demonstrates high degree of emotional intelligence.

-Ability to integrate current technology into areas of service.

-Ability to generate feasible solutions to complex problems.

-Skill in navigating complex programmatic and organizational situations.

-Excellent written and oral communication skills.

-Knowledge of Civil Service procedures and Union negotiations/relations.

-Knowledge of New Jersey library statutes, regulations and norms.

-Knowledge of facilities management.

-Appreciation for the role of data in designing and executing library activities.

-Experience and success in applying for public or private grants.

-Requires a New Jersey Librarian’s Certificate at time of hire.

**Hours:   ** 35 hours a week

Salary:    $110,000 -$135,000, depending on experience.  Excellent benefits package.

The Elizabeth Public Library is a Union shop, and governed by Civil Service Commission provisions. Applicant must comply with the New Jersey First Act. 

Apply via email to /Users/mfchmiel/AppData/Local/Microsoft/Windows/INetCache/Content.Outlook/73XO46HX/epldirector [at] yahoo.com">[email protected]

Position is open until filled; applications will be reviewed beginning October 15, 2024.

A start date of mid-December 2024 or early January 2025 is anticipated.