Library Services Director jobs in Benton Harbor, MI

The Saint Joseph / Maud Preston Palenske Memorial Library seeks an engaging and qualified candidate for consideration as the Assistant Library Director. The Maud Preston Palenske Memorial Library serves a population of approximately 18,000 year-round residents in the communities of the City of St. Joseph and St. Joseph Charter Township. This harbor community is located on the bluff overlooking Lake Michigan less than two hours from Chicago and within easy driving distance of Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids, MI and South Bend, Indiana. It includes headquarters for a Fortune 500 corporation plus many other businesses. St. Joseph offers award-winning public schools plus quality independent and parochial schools, a community college, regional symphony orchestra, Krasl Art Center, Curious Kids’ Museum and Cultural Center, The Box Factory for the Arts, and many other amenities.

Job Title: Assistant Director

Date of posting: 4/10/2024

Job location: Maud Preston Palenske Memorial Library

500 Market Street St. Joseph, MI 49085

Department: Supervisor

Reports to: Director

Position Summary:

The Assistant Director performs a variety of professional, supervisory, and administrative duties pertaining to the library. Responsibilities include personnel and facility management, public service delivery, programming, collection development, and community relations. They provide leadership in planning and policy direction.

FT – salaried - Exempt

40 hours / week Including some weekends and evenings

salary: _$42,000 per year___.

Includes benefits package: health insurance, life insurance, 13 holidays, Paid vacation and sick leave.

Detailed Job Description of duties:

● In charge of library operations and building in the absence of the Director

● Directs the daily work of staff in adult and teen services

• Develops and publishes monthly staff and desk schedules
• Reviews and preliminarily approves staff leave requests
• Trains and onboards new staff members
• Conducts employee evaluations; implements and refers staff to Director for disciplinary action when necessary
• Works with staff to set and achieve goals
• Provides assistance to staff in resolving complex patron issues.

● Manages the Local History & Genealogy collection; works closely with the Library Systems Supervisor on digitization procedures and protocols for local history collection

● Participates in collection development and assessment of the adult collections, local history and genealogy

● Oversee programming for Adult and teen services

• Develops, implements, and executes programs of interest to adults for the library.
• Reviews and advises staff regarding programming ideas in adult and teen services; assists with programming as needed
• Monitors and reports on programming budget and monthly statistics for programming and marketing
• Seeks grant opportunities for library programming

● Assists in Library planning and policy

• Attend monthly Library board meetings
• Assists in creating and updating library policies
• Makes recommendations for service changes
• Makes budgetary recommendations to the Director
• Participates in local, State, and National organizations on an as needed basis
• Represents the library at library related meetings when necessary
• Participates in interviews and makes hiring recommendations
• Seeks grant opportunities

● Regularly scheduled work on public services desks (includes evening and weekend shifts), assisting patrons of all ages. Tasks include, but are not limited to:

• Checking out library materials according to established procedures
• Register and maintaining borrower database information
• Collect and record fines and fees
• Answer and direct incoming calls
• Notify patrons of materials on hold
• Assist patrons with reference and reader’s advisory inquiries

● Other duties as assigned

Experience and requirements:

● Two (2) years working in a library; public library experience preferred

● Preference given to candidates with supervisory experience

● Demonstrated excellence in customer service and working with the public

● Must be comfortable working with technology

● Ability to communicate effectively & clearly.

● Knowledge of and ability to apply library policies and procedures to various situations

● Applicants must agree to a background check

Education:

● MLIS degree from an ALA accredited university

● Preference given to applicants with Master of Library & Information Science Degree but will consider an equivalent combination of relevant education and library experience.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $40,000.00 - $42,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Employee assistance program
• Employee discount
• Professional development assistance

Schedule:

• Day shift
• Evening shift
• Rotating weekends

Education:

• Bachelor's (Preferred)

Work Location: In person