Classified Ad Title:
Library Director – Somerset County Library System of New Jersey (NJ)
Post Date
2/11/2025
Expiration Date
3/16/2025
Details:
Library Director – Somerset County Library System of New Jersey (NJ)
The Somerset County Library System of New Jersey (NJ) is looking for its next innovative and
forward-thinking Library Director. The Library Director reports directly to a seven-member Board
of Library Commissioners. Somerset County Library System boasts 9 full-service branches and
15 member communities with a service population of 225,000. There are 191 FTE. Patrons enjoy
collections of books, music, videos, and other media, online courses and live events, ESL
assistance, home borrowing, gathering space, movies, free museum and cultural passes, access
to community social services, passport processing, streaming access from home, and other
programming.
The current Library leadership team is comprised of highly skilled professionals who consistently
deliver superior library service. The new Library Director will require a nuanced approach to
system strategy and stakeholder relationships to complement an already highly functional library
system. The Library Director will engage with the community, cultivate partnerships, and enhance
collaborative efforts to drive the vision and strategic priorities of the organization. While
operating as 9 unique full-service branches in various communities, the library works as a
cohesive system with an engaged and well-rounded staff supporting that aim. Key initiatives for
this position include strategic planning, ensuring public support for the library by regularly
communicating with local governing officials, and maintaining regular and positive
communications with the SCLSNJ staff, Library Commission, and other stakeholder groups as
needed.
Some upcoming system-wide projects over the next year include:
• Implementation of a new email marketing platform that integrates natively with our library
customer data (ongoing)
• Reopening of two branch libraries after closures for renovation (anticipated May 2025 and
January 2026).
• Participating in the creation of a new model for regional consortia library services
(ongoing).
• Migration to a new integrated library system (ILS), our enterprise-level catalog and
checkout system software (Q4 2025).
• Refreshing our current strategic planning framework after gathering community and
customer feedback (Q1 2026).
Somerset County is at the hub of Central New Jersey. Its 21 municipalities, encompassing 305
square miles, contain a diversity of landscape, population, and development that reflects the
varied lifestyles of its residents. Located in the heart of the nation’s largest metropolitan area,
Somerset County contains a balance between urban and suburban neighborhoods and rural
countryside. Fine residential communities, beautiful parks, excellent shopping and dining,
extensive farmland, numerous historic sites, and outstanding businesses make Somerset County
a desirable place to live, work, and play. Visit whysomersetnj.org to learn more.
Responsibilities: The Library Director collaborates with direct reports and proposes appropriate
changes to the Library Commission, ensuring that operating procedures and policies align with
state regulations and best practices. This individual will foster positive relationships with union
representatives, address employee relations issues, and delegate responsibilities including
human resources, customer service, collection development, programming, and facilities. The
Library Director is responsible for the recruitment, development, and retention of a highperforming executive team, which includes the direct supervision of division directors with systemwide responsibilities including library services, operations, human resources, marketing, and
finance. The Library Director oversees the preparation and implementation of the library’s
$20,000,000+ budget; and fosters a culture of innovation, accountability, and customer service
excellence. Please see the full job description linked below for additional details.
Qualifications: The minimum qualifications for this position include a master's degree in library
science (ALA accredited program preferred), five years of full-time progressively responsible
management and professional librarian experience in a multi-branch system, and three to five
years experience in staff supervision and library administration. Five years of experience
formulating and implementing a library budget is required. A valid driver’s license or reliable
transportation is also required. The desired candidate must have or secure a New Jersey State
Professional Librarian Certificate within one year of appointment and reside in the State of NJ
within one year of hire.
Compensation: The hiring salary range is $167,583 – $180,000 with placement negotiable
depending on experience and qualifications, and an excellent fringe benefits package.
For further information, contact Bradbury Miller Associates (https://bradburymiller.com/). Apply
with a meaningful cover letter and resume via our application portal
(https://bradburymiller.com/current-clients/) by clicking on the position followed by the apply
button. This position closes on Sunday, March 16, 2025.
Visit our website (https://bradburymiller.com/current-clients/) to access the latest version of this
announcement in full, along with all related links.
Website:
https://host.pcrecruiter.net/pcrbin/jobboard.aspx?JOBSHARE4XT4NEPCPX7PA4YT4P5TYKG4YZJKQEGUK4PXTF2VMBCVRZ5IRDQRJFBJUBJGRY5L4HMU54EQAQXSOXFTJFOY27BHEQA22KHC437A