Holyoke Public Library Director Job Description The Board of Directors of the Holyoke Public Library Corporation seeks a collaborative, visionary, and mission-oriented leader to serve as our next Library Director. This is an opportunity to lead a cherished community resource with roots in Holyoke dating back to 1870.
General Statement of Duties The Library Director works under the direction of the Board of Directors of the Holyoke Public Library Corporation and in collaboration with the City of Holyoke to lead the library’s operations, staff, and manage its budget. The Library Director will oversee the daily operations of the Holyoke Public Library by coordinating the management, training, and development of all library employees (16 full-time and 3 part-time city employees and 1 part-time private employee) as well as a robust and dedicated group of community volunteers. The Library Director will understand their responsibilities regarding conflicts of interest and behave in a manner consistent with municipal, state, and federal law as well as library policy.
Examples of Duties ● Assist and guide staff in designing, implementing, and promoting a wide range of library activities and programs. ● Advise, consult, and confer with the Library Board of Directors, other state and local officials, residents, and community groups regarding library services and operations. ● Implement the policies of the Holyoke Public Library Corporation. ● Assist in developing Library collections. ● Lead in preparing the library’s strategic plan. ● Serve as liaison to various stakeholders, such as the Holyoke Public Schools, as well as other civic and community organizations. ● Serve with various library organizations such as the Central and Western Massachusetts Automated Resource Sharing Library Network (CWMARS), the Massachusetts Library System (MLS), and the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC). ● Prepare annual reports to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners to ensure certification and the receipt of state aid. ● Attend monthly Library Board meetings and prepare a monthly director’s report. ● Prepare materials for the annual meeting, attend City Council Meetings, and collaborate with the Mayor of Holyoke on the portion of the annual budget funded by the City. ● Manage departmental functions, including the preparation of payroll and payables, as well as collaborating with the City’s human resources department on personnel matters and hiring. ● Prepare grant applications and seek alternative funding as needed. ● Manage the library building and grounds to ensure proper maintenance and improvements. ● Prepare the annual budget and annual Capital Maintenance Plan for the library. ● Perform other duties as assigned. Required Qualifications ● Master of Library Science or Master of Library Information Science required. ● Three to five years of related experience serving in a library management position. ● Experience using and integrating new and emerging technology. ● Certificate of Librarianship issued by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners.
Preferred Qualifications ● Knowledge and/or experience working in/managing public libraries. ● Bilingual in Spanish and English and bicultural competency with demonstrated work experience with individuals and organizations from diverse Latino cultures.
Our Preferred Qualifications are a guideline, not a checklist. Candidates are encouraged to apply regardless of proficiency in these areas.
Position Details The position is full-time and requires in-person presence on-site. The anticipated starting salary range is $64,544 to $78,267, based on experience and qualifications. As a City employee, the Library Director will receive a full benefits package including competitive vacation, sick, personal, and other leave benefits, along with membership in the City of Holyoke Retirement pension system. In addition to core benefits, employees have the option to enroll in a variety of voluntary benefits, such as comprehensive health, dental, flex spending, optional vision and life insurance and short term disability.
Organizational Values of the Holyoke Public Library Corporation The Holyoke Public Library is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate justice, equity, and diversity, and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need. The mission of the Holyoke Public Library is to provide the citizens of Holyoke with the tools and opportunities to improve themselves and their quality of life while promoting literacy, the enjoyment of reading and life-long learning through the provision of equal access to library materials, services, facilities, technology, up-to-date resources and programs to meet the educational, informational, social, cultural, and recreational needs for residents of all ages and abilities in the City of Holyoke and surrounding areas.
We strive to serve all members of our community and we believe that a diverse and inclusive workforce is essential to fulfilling that goal. We encourage applications from candidates of all ethnic backgrounds, religions, national origins, genders, sexual orientations, gender identities, abilities, and ages. We see diversity as an asset that enriches our services and strengthens our connections to the community.
The Library Director will be a visible champion for the library's commitment to difference. A key responsibility will be to lead the ongoing work of fostering an inclusive and equitable environment for staff and patrons alike. The ideal candidate will have demonstrated experience leading initiatives that support and expand diversity, equity, and inclusion in library collections, services, and staffing.
SPRINGFIELD PUBLIC LIBRARY
We have two opportunities for you to consider at Springfield (MA) City Library: Library Branch Manager and Children’s Services Supervisor. I welcome your questions by email or call. Please submit your applications directly on the City of Springfield’s website, and when you apply, include a cover letter so we can get to know you! Not the jobs for you? Please share with others who may be interested! At Springfield (MA) City Library, we are Welcoming, Trusted, Connected, and Innovative. You can review our Mission, Vision, and Values on our website. Springfield is a city of about 156,000 people. Located in western Massachusetts on the banks of the Connecticut River and spreading eastward, the "City of Homes" offers a mixed housing stock, from expansive Victorians to neighborly apartment blocks. Its flat landscape of 33 square miles is home to the 730 acre Forest Park and the Basketball Hall of Fame. Springfield City Library is community-centered and has a Central Library and 8 branches. Learn more about working with us, including links to videos showing some of the highlights of our beautiful city: Work at Springfield City Library. We are home to an American Hockey League professional hockey team, the Springfield Symphony Orchestra, four Smithsonian-affiliated museums plus numerous independent and college galleries, and many other activities to get involved in.
LIBRARY BRANCH MANAGER: Brightwood and Indian Orchard Branches Apply for our Library Branch Manager position and lead the teams of the Brightwood Branch and the Indian Orchard Branch libraries. Learn more here, and apply by Monday, November 3, 2025 at 11:59 pm Eastern time. The annual salary range is $70,778.76 - $92,040.00 depending on qualifications. Benefits include twelve paid holidays, plus paid vacation, personal, incentive, and sick time after 6 month probationary period. The Brightwood Branch Library is very busy with school group visits throughout the day. Co-located with a middle school, neighbors include two elementary schools, including a newly-constructed one. The Branch is located in the heart of the neighborhood, and staff work closely with many non-profit organizations, civic groups, and residents to provide, in partnership with the community, for their informational, educational, and leisure needs. The very large community room is undergoing an upgrade to provide state of the art projection and sound systems to enhance library and resident programming and meetings. The Branch is well-known for its extensive collection of materials in Spanish. See inside here.
The Indian Orchard Branch Library opened March 18, 1909, and is a Carnegie library. This Classical Revival Style building was designed and built by local talented architects and craftsmen. See their incredibly beautiful work here, some of which was restored during a renovation and expansion in the 1990s. Beyond traditional library services, the Indian Orchard Branch has always played an important role as a community center and has traditionally been a place new immigrants could come to learn to become U.S. citizens. A popular Play & Learn Space was created thanks to an LSTA grant. The staff came together to convert a storage room to a modest-sized meeting room that hosts library programs and community group meetings. The tight-knit neighborhood includes parks, schools, a former mill complex that now houses artist galleries, and commercial zones as well.
The Manager at our Brightwood and Indian Orchard branches, with the able assistance of two supervisors, is responsible for leading the teams of these two libraries. This includes staff hiring and mentoring, public interaction, programming, administrative duties, system-wide initiatives, and community engagement. Work is performed with professional independent administrative judgment in accordance with the policies and objectives of the Library. Supervision is exercised over a team of twelve people, including a supervisor at each location. Questions are welcome via LinkedIn or email! Please apply here: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/springfieldma/jobs/5116911
CHILDREN’S SERVICES SUPERVISOR: Central Library
Apply for our Children’s Services Supervisor position and lead the Children’s Room team at the Central Library, with system-wide activity, too! Learn more here, and apply by Monday, November 3, 2025 at 11:59 pm Eastern time. The annual salary is $63,455.08. Benefits include thirteen paid holidays, plus paid vacation, personal, incentive, and sick time after 6 month probationary period. The Springfield (MA) City Library is searching for a full-time Children’s Services Supervisor. This job is based at the Central Library, the heart of our busy library system. We seek applications to work at our forward-looking, award-winning public library. We are recruiting talented, community-engaged candidates for this challenging and rewarding job. Get to know our beautiful city by reading more and watching videos at this page, then apply by Monday, November 3, 2025 at 11:59 pm Eastern. APPLY:https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/springfieldma/jobs/5116814
The Central Library is a lovely century-old building with a large Community Room for programming and performances. Our neighborhood includes the Springfield Museums, many apartment blocks, and Downtown Springfield. See inside the Central Library. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wv3qAilxlA
The Supervisor works collaboratively with the Manager of Adult & Youth Information Services and a team of three librarians. The Supervisor is responsible for overseeing the daily operation and scheduling of Emily’s Place for Children at the Central Library, and they assist the Manager in planning system-wide children’s services goals and activities..
The Supervisor provides reference and reader's advisory service at the Central Library in person, over the telephone, or through email or other emerging technologies; supervises reference staff, assists the Manager in recruitment, training, professional development, counseling, evaluation, and coaching of staff; has collection development duties including shared oversight of system-wide children’s print and electronic collections for the Central Library and our eight branches; participates in development, delivery, promotion, and evaluation of children’s programs; and assists in writing and implementing grants as assigned. We’re looking for candidates with a Bachelor’s degree and completion of an American Library Association accredited Master of Library Science. Preferred: Four years of experience in a library environment, including two years of supervisory experience. Other preferred experience and skills: Thorough knowledge of information provision theory and practice. Specialized knowledge of children’s reading interests. Ability to demonstrate vision, strategic thinking, collaboration and inclusive leadership skills; flexibility and adaptability, and a willingness to embrace and drive change. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills. Creative problem solving skills. Demonstrated proficiency with emerging technologies, social networking tools and mobile applications. Desired: Bilingual (English and Spanish, Vietnamese, Russian, Somali, Dari, Arabic, or other community language). The City has a residency requirement. New hires must be residents of Springfield within two years of the date of hire, and maintain city residency. The closing date is Monday, November 3, 2025, at 11:59 pm Eastern When you apply, please include a cover letter so we can get to know you. Apply athttps://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/springfieldma/jobs/5116814 Questions via LinkedIn are welcome, but all applications must be filed on the City of Springfield's website.
