LIBRARY HOURS
MON-THURS 10:00 - 8:00
FRIDAY 10:00 - 5:00
SATURDAY 10:00 - 3:00
20 FREESTONE AVENUE
PORTLAND, CT 06480
860-342-6770
Library Director
Portland Public Library, Portland CT
The Town of Portland seeks an energetic, motivated, and visionary leader as its next Director. Serving 9,500 residents with a $777,000 annual budget, the library is a necessary and critical resource to the Portland community. The Town desires a director with strong communication skills who will promote the library by establishing connections through outreach and advocacy in the community. Key initiatives include reestablishing the community’s connection to library services and programs post-pandemic; maintaining and growing the library’s relationship with the town and local partners; improving library services to underserved areas of the Portland community; and guiding the library through a strategic planning process.
Conveniently located in central Connecticut, halfway between Boston and NYC and just 30 minutes from the CT shoreline, Portland has that cozy small town feel with all the amenities afforded by its proximity to major metropolitan areas. A close-knit community and one of the best-kept secrets in New England, Portland boasts excellent schools, many active service organizations, a developing riverfront and downtown village district, and abundant recreational activities, including beautiful parks, three public golf courses, hiking and biking trails, and a large state forest.
The recently renovated Portland Library is a major hub of community activity, known throughout the region for its creative children’s programming and its friendly, welcoming staff who greet patrons by name. Supported by an active Friends of the Library, an engaged 7 member Board of Directors, and a healthy endowment fund, the library offers community meeting rooms, book clubs, movie showings, robust digital services, a seed library, and a wide variety of engaging programs to meet the varied needs of our diverse community.
Responsibilities: Serving under the First Selectman and the Library Board, the Library Director performs highly responsible and varied administrative and professional work related to planning, organizing, and directing all aspects of library services. The Director oversees collection development, library operations, and building maintenance; establishes internal library policies and procedures; leads the development and planning of the library budget; controls library expenditures; supervises a staff of 10 full and part time library employees and establishes work schedules; pursues grant opportunities; prepares clear, accurate, and informative narrative and statistical reports; and seeks to continuously improve library services through community outreach.
Qualifications: A Master’s Degree in Library Science from an ALA accredited institution is required, with a minimum of five years of progressively responsible professional library experience, including at least two years in a supervisory position, or an equivalent combination of work experience and training. The ideal candidate will be adaptable to challenges, technologically savvy, and committed to exceptional customer service, with an understanding of the needs of a small town, excellent people skills, and a passion for collaboration and bringing out the best in others.
Compensation: The salary range is $75,000 – $102,500, negotiable dependent on experience and qualifications. The Town offers a comprehensive fringe benefits package.
Applications: Applications for employment and additional information available at www.portlandct.org/employment-opportunities. Candidates should submit a completed application, cover letter, resume, and three letters of recommendation by Friday, March 10th to mceppaglia@portlandct.org or by mail to: First Selectman’s Office, PO Box 71, Portland, CT 06480-0071.
Library Director Job Description
Library and Community Links
Friends of the Portland Library
