Director – Port Jervis Free Library (NY)

Director – Port Jervis Free Library (NY)
The Port Jervis Free Library (NY) Board of Trustees is seeking a collaborative leader and expert communicator to lead the library into the future as its next Director. Port Jervis Free Library offers local history, community, reference, and children’s rooms, and is the home of the Minisink Valley Historical Society. Supported by a Friends of the Library group that operates the Book Cellar, the library is a member of the Ramapo Catskill Library System, which maximizes sharing, creativity, and innovation. Port Jervis Free Library serves a diverse community of approximately 20,000 school district residents in Western Orange County, NY. The next Director will report to a five‑member Board of Trustees, support and supervise a team of 11.31 full‑time equivalents, manage a $1.4 million budget, and oversee a 13,000 square foot historic location in downtown Port Jervis. The city of Port Jervis has a population of approximately 8,700 residents who enjoy the various public programming, technology resources (The Hub), and, most recently, non‑traditional lending collections, facilitated by an engaged and dedicated staff.

The library’s next Director will be a skilled manager and communicator, capable of building consensus between stakeholder groups and clearly executing priorities outlined in the organization’s strategic plan. This leader will be a hands‑on professional who will bolster existing community partnerships in addition to discovering new ways the library can deliver outreach of its services and collections into the community. Key initiatives of this role are increasing community engagement, fostering a positive organizational culture, and updating or drafting policies and procedures that reflect the overarching goals of the organization to best serve its users. The incoming director will ideally possess deep comfort with technology, change‑management skills, and the ability to identify creative revenue streams through grants and partnerships.

Port Jervis is a historic “river city” and is known as the gateway to the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. Offering activities such as kayaking and boating, or fishing, the city’s unique geography provides immediate access to the water. The landscape is defined by the Port Jervis Watershed Trails, an extensive network of over 50 miles of hiking and mountain biking trails that offer breathtaking vistas of the tri‑state area. It is an excellent destination for outdoor enthusiasts seeking year‑round adventure. Beyond its natural beauty, Port Jervis is highly accessible to major metropolitan hubs such as New York City (70 miles) via the NJ Transit Port Jervis line, which connects commuters and day‑trippers to Penn Station and Hoboken. Regional connectivity to other cities such as Philadelphia and Scranton provides opportunities for additional cultural activities as well.

Responsibilities

Provide strategic leadership and foster positive board relations.

Execute the library’s multi‑year Strategic Plan, ensuring alignment with modern community needs.

Act as the primary liaison to the Board of Trustees, providing data‑driven recommendations and transparent reporting.

Act as a visible leader and spokesperson, building and maintaining community partnerships.

Provide fiscal oversight with the board to develop and maintain a sustainable budget, proactively identify and pursue grant opportunities, and pursue alternative funding streams to support special projects and capital needs.

Oversee the maintenance and preservation of library facilities, plan and manage facility upgrades or renovations, ensuring modern functionality while respecting architectural integrity.

Lead the staff through organizational transitions, fostering a culture of adaptability and innovation; cultivate a collaborative, high‑performing work environment through effective mentorship and professional development.

Apply expert‑level human resources skills tailored to civil service environments, including performance evaluation, labor relations, and adherence to regulatory standards.

Qualifications

Master’s Degree in Library or Information Science from an ALA‑accredited institution.

A minimum of five (5) years of decision‑making experience in public, academic, or business library.

Possession of an NYS public librarian’s professional certificate or eligibility for certification at the time of application, and possession of certificate within three months of appointment.

Eligibility to be appointed from the civil service list for Library Director I, held by the City of Port Jervis Civil Service Commission.

Experience working with a Board of Trustees, library management and supervisory experience, financial administration, and grant writing skills.

Compensation
The hiring salary range is $85,000 – $110,000 (with placement negotiable, dependent on experience and qualifications) and an excellent benefits package.

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