Finger Lakes Library System

Connecting public libraries in Cayuga, Cortland, Seneca, Tioga and Tompkins Counties

Job Opportunities

Jobs Available at FLLS

None at this time.

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Jobs Available at Member Libraries & Affiliates

Library Director Cortland Free Library

The Board of Trustees of the Cortland Free Library (Cortland, NY) seeks an innovative and community-oriented library director with proven leadership and supervisory skills.  The Cortland Free Library is an association library chartered to serve the Cortland, Cortlandville, and Virgil communities (population 28,390). 

Job Description

The Library Director is responsible for managing the library on a day-to-day basis with a focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion, while adhering to and implementing board-approved policies and the budget. The Director encourages and models excellent patron service and leads the library forward to meet the needs of the community. Both within the library and in the community at large, the Director communicates and works toward achieving the library’s goals as stated in its mission statement and long-range plan. The Director participates in professional librarian activities (e.g., collection development, programming, and outreach) as well as administration and reports to Cortland Free Library’s Board of Trustees.

Primary Responsibilities:

Board of Trustees Relationship

  • Works collaboratively with the Board of Trustees and committees; attends monthly Board meetings; attends committee meetings as needed.
  • Provides support and technical advice to the Board of Trustees by preparing reports, presenting necessary background information, data, relevant statistical comparisons, and recommendations needed to make informed decisions.
  • Informs and advises the library board about local, regional, state, and national developments (e.g., technology trends, legal issues, programming ideas, etc.) in the library field, and works to maintain communication with other area libraries and the library system.
  • In cooperation with the Board President, provides information and orientation to new trustees.

Building & Grounds / Technology

  • Oversees the security and maintenance of the building and grounds.
  • Oversees operation of all technology and equipment and recommends new technology/equipment.

Finance & Administration

  • Prepares the annual budget with the Finance Committee for approval of the Board of Trustees.
  • Seeks, prepares, and submits grant applications; participates in fundraising initiatives.
  • Completes the Annual Report to the State and Written Report to the Community.
  • Recommends new policies and updates to policy.

Patron Services & Community Relations

  • Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with trustees, staff, volunteers, peers, patrons, officials, and other members of the community, including other libraries, schools, governmental bodies and organizations.
  • Seeks and is responsive to staff, trustee, and community input.
  • Promotes the library to the community, including other libraries, schools, governmental bodies and organizations, as well as at the regional and state levels through speaking engagements, outreach, advocacy, etc.
  • Plans and directs the development and maintenance of all library materials to ensure collections meet the current and future needs of our community; this role currently has specific responsibilities in a professional librarian capacity for the Adult Nonfiction collection.
  • Oversees the development, execution and evaluation of programs and services to meet the needs of our community with the goal of increasing use of the library.
  • Creates, maintains, and promotes an environment where staff is able to provide and patrons are able to receive superior service.
  • Effectively communicates and implements library policies, activities, and services to staff and the community as appropriate.

Staff Development/Support/Training

  • Interviews, hires, and evaluates all library staff.
  • Supervises the development and implementation of training techniques.
  • Provides regular professional development opportunities for staff.
  • Sets expectations and goals for staff and holds individuals accountable for their performance; conducts performance reviews; fosters employee development.
  • Holds regular staff meetings and encourages regular communication and staff appreciation.

Minimum Required Qualifications:

  • A Master’s degree in Library Science or Library Information Science from a college or University accredited by The American Library Association.
  • Possession of a current New York State Public Librarian’s professional certificate at the time of application.
  • Three (3 years) of professional library experience, with at least two years in public libraries.
  • Three (3 years) of supervisory experience.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Personal Characteristics Needed:

  • Demonstrated leadership ability and dependability.
  • Excellent communication skills.
  • Familiarity with library budgets and basic understanding of financial reports.
  • Demonstrated ability to work with diverse populations.
  • Ability to work under pressure with competing demands and frequent interruptions.
  • Experience with project management; policy development; grant-seeking; collection management; outreach; marketing; facilities management; capital projects; assessment/evaluation; programming; strategic planning.
  • Ability to create and maintain relationships with various stakeholders (staff, trustees, Friends of the Library, patrons, local government, etc.).
  • Proficient with MS Office Suite and Google Drive.
  • Proficient with electronic resources and Polaris or another ILS (integrated library system).
  • Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
  • Familiarity with emerging technologies and applications for libraries.

Desired Skills/Qualifications:

  • Proficient with WordPress and/or other content management systems.
  • Proficient with Mailchimp and/or other marketing platforms.
  • Proficient with social media resources.
  • Experience in fundraising and development.
  • Familiarity with NYS minimum standards for libraries.
  • Experience in trauma-informed librarianship and harm reduction.

Salary Range and Hours: $63,000- $72,000.  This full-time position is for 37.5 hours per week.

Benefits: CFL contributes 75% of the cost of health insurance premiums for single adults and participates in the NYS Municipal Employee Retirement System, which currently provides defined benefit pension benefits. Paid time off is included and negotiated.

How to Apply:  To apply for this position, please email the following to boardpresident@cortlandfreelibrary.org:

  • Cover letter
  • Resume/CV
  • Three professional references

Applications received by Friday, April 19, 2024 will receive first consideration.

Tompkins County Public Library

Posted February 20, 2023

Deadline to apply extended to March 31, 2024

Business Manager

The Tompkins County Public Library (TCPL) is seeking qualified, inclusive, and collaborative candidates for our Library Business Manager role. The Business Manager position is a provisional, full-time, 35 hour-per-week position, and is part of the Tompkins County Civil Service system. TCPL has 43 FTE and is in downtown Ithaca, NY.

Successful candidates enjoy working with diverse people to serve a diverse public that includes urban and rural constituents. The Business Manager is a senior administrative position that is responsible for the supervision and coordination of the fiscal, human resources, and other operational functions of the Library. Currently, the position is responsible for supervising the principal account clerk and providing guidance, support, and direct coaching. The Business Manager
is a contributing member of the Library Leadership Team, helping to support the mission, vision, and goals of the Library by providing insight and guidance from a financial and human resources perspective. Staff rely on the Business Manager for guidance, critical benefit information, and consider them an essential leader. Proven organizational, communication, listening, and teamwork skills are necessary for success. While this position is fiscal in nature, successful candidates
understand that people are the job.

The Library Business Manager guides the various aspects of the budget cycle of the Library. TCPL receives funding from Tompkins County, the City of Ithaca, and the Town of Ithaca, each with their own budget processes. TCPL also has two fundraising support organizations – the TCPL Foundation and the Friends of the Tompkins County Public Library – and the Library receives collection funding annually from both groups. The budget cycle begins in the Spring and budgets are generally adopted in November. The Business Manager also coordinates the annual Library audit and works closely with auditors and staff to ensure the audit is completed on time. The position is directly supervised by the Library Director and works closely with the Director, Administrative Manager, Board Treasurer,
Foundation Executive Director, and Friends Board. Sustainable and relevant library service to the community relies on the cooperation, communication,
and camaraderie of staff, Trustees, the Foundation, and Friends in partnership with the County, City, and Town.

The Library Business Manager position requires evening hours for attendance at various meetings and other related events.

The salary range for the position is $70,000 to $85,000.

Hiring Timeline:

▪ February 26, 2024 – Deadline for first round of consideration
▪ March 7-13, 2024 – First round of interviews
▪ March 18-22, 2024 – Final interviews
▪ April 8, 2024 – Potential start date
The position is open until filled.

Tompkins County Civil Service: the Library Business Manager is a provisional appointment. A provisional appointment is a non-permanent appointment pending examination and permanent appointment to a competitive class position. For a permanent appointment, a reachable score on the Business Manager Civil Service exam is required.

For additional information about the Tompkins County Civil Service, and to apply for this position, go to https://www.tompkinscivilservice.org/civilservice/apply/8381

Full Job Description:

LIBRARY BUSINESS MANAGER
TOMPKINS COUNTY

Department Tompkins County Public Library Classification Competitive
Labor Grade 14 Approved TCPL Board Action, June 2008 Revised 9/16, 11/23 By AF, Commissioner of Personnel, TCPL

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

a) Graduation from a regionally accredited or New York State registered four-year college or university with a bachelor’s degree in accounting, business administration, or a related field AND four years of full-time paid (or the equivalent part-time and/or volunteer) experience in an office management or
senior level account clerical position; OR

b) Graduation from a regionally accredited or New York State registered two-year college with an Associates Degree, or 60 college credit hours, with a focus in accounting, business administration, or a related field AND six years of full-time paid (or the equivalent part-time and/or volunteer) experience in an office management or senior level account clerical position; OR

c) Any combination of training and experience equal to or greater than that described in (a) and (b) above.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS:

This is a senior administrative position involving independent responsibility for the supervision and coordination of the fiscal, human resources and operational functions of a central library. The position is responsible for budget formulation analysis, tracking, fiscal management, human resources and benefit administration, statistical reports and record keeping. The nature of the work also requires the confidential handling of sensitive labor relations information. Work is performed in accordance with policies and objectives directed and outlined by the Library Director, with high autonomy and significant independent judgment. The incumbent works under the general direction of the Library Director and participates in financial strategic planning for the organization. The position acts as a liaison with a variety of other departments and agencies and supervises the Principal Account Clerk and any staff assigned to the Business office. This position provides budget orientation for Board of Trustees and staff as well as provides new staff orientation. The incumbent will perform all related duties as required.

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES:

  • Responsible for the timely, accurate recording and reporting of all financial transactions for the Library, including payroll, cash receipts, cash disbursements, and investments.
  • Develops, Administers, and Assesses policies and procedures related to budget, financial operations, personnel and benefit administration;
  • Serves as a member of the Library Board Finance & Personnel Committee;
  • Prepares budgets, related fiscal analysis, and materials needed for board resolutions and budget adjustments;
  • Ensures the implementation and maintenance of necessary financial controls;
  • Supports labor negotiations through research, preparing impact projections, or suggesting modifications to labor contracts; serves on the management negotiating team and participates in labor management meetings;
  • Responsible for the effective implementation of union contracts, federal and state laws, and civil service rules to situational human resource issues;
    Serves as liaison with County Department of Human Resources; Responsible for compliance with Civil Service requirements and procedures.
  • Responsible for Orienting new employees to library compensation and benefit programs;
  • Works with Library staff to facilitate filling position vacancies;
  • Serves as a member of the Library leadership team;
  • Responsible for all required reporting for the payroll and human resources functions of the Library;
  • Fixed assets: maintain current list of assets in compliance with capital assets policy and GASB;
  • Responsible for benefit program administration and related staff support and training;
  • Maintains and reconciles all general ledger accounts and prepares journal entries as necessary;
  • Revises, systemizes, and installs account keeping methods and procedures and adjusts accounting software accordingly;
  • Analyze and prepare projections and reports for Director and trustees as requested; produces monthly financial statement for the Library Board of Trustees;
  • Monitors and plans cash flow, investments, and necessary transfers;
  • Monitors contracts and service agreements, initiates proposals for changes;
  • Directs or prepares the compilation and analysis of a variety of complex financial and statistical records, reports and projections including State annual report and library organization surveys and other governmental reporting;
  • Prepares annual audit records and consults with independent auditors;
  • Maintains archived accounting and payroll records;
  • May provide notary public services for employees and general public;
  • Participates in organization committees, task forces and service initiatives.
  • Other related duties as assigned/required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS:

  • Thorough knowledge of current principles and practices of business administration, accounting and budgeting including fund accounting, and payroll and benefits administration;.
  • Thorough knowledge of policies, procedures, negotiated provisions and legal requirements in all benefit areas;
  • Thorough knowledge of personnel procedures to allow correct interpretation and application of benefit areas of negotiated union contracts;
  • Good knowledge of the organization’s mission, policies, and operating procedures; Good knowledge of the laws and regulations pertaining to the organization;
  • Working knowledge of statistical techniques, report preparation, budget preparation and expenditure control;
  • Ability to prioritize multiple and conflicting priorities and meet deadlines;
  • Ability to plan and supervise the work of others;
  • Ability to communicate effectively and correctly both orally and in writing;
  • Ability to independently handle routine administrative details;
  • Ability to relate well and develop working relationships with employees in all departments and board members;
  • Ability to develop working relationships with vendors, service providers, and county departments;
  • Ability to anticipate the human resource and business administration needs of the library board of trustees;
  • Ability to make complex arithmetic computations involving fractions, decimals, and percentages accurately;
  • Ability to perform close, detailed work involving considerable visual effort and concentration;
  • Integrity and good judgment in solving complex account keeping, benefits administration or payroll issues;
  • Skill or ability to operate an alphanumeric typewriter, word processor or personal computer keyboard with considerable precision and at an acceptable rate of speed;
  • Skill or ability to work with spreadsheet, database, word processing programs;
  • The employee’s physical and mental condition shall be commensurate with the demands of the position, either with or without reasonable accommodations.

PHYSICAL, MENTAL, AND ENVIRONMENTAL DEMANDS:

The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, use hands to keyboard, handle, or feel objects, manipulate tools, or controls, and reach with hands and arms.
The employee is required to see, walk, talk and hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Due to extensive computer usage, the job requires considerable visual effort. Vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus to a mid-range. Office machines and software requires considerable precision, manual dexterity, knowledge and skill. The employee’s physical and mental condition shall be commensurate with
demands of the position, either with or without reasonable accommodation. Psychological demands are moderate for this position. Considerable interpersonal skills are necessary in order to create connections, obtain buy-in, cooperation and facilitate employment placements. Internal contacts will be with department heads and hiring managers throughout the organization and will require professional collaboration on overlapping projects, issues and efforts to diversify the organization. External contacts are with professional associates, liaisons, community groups and involve the development of professional networks and the successful implementation of diversity strategies. The work environment has minimal exposure to disagreeable conditions. The incumbent will perform all related duties as required.

Tompkins County Civil Service: the Library Business Manager is a provisional appointment. A provisional appointment is a non-permanent appointment pending examination and permanent appointment to a competitive class position. For a permanent appointment, a reachable score on the Business Manager Civil Service exam is required.

For additional information about the Tompkins County Civil Service, and to apply for this position, go to https://www.tompkinscivilservice.org/civilservice/apply/8381

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