Director

Overview

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 public programming, technology resources (The Hub), and 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. The area offers outdoor activities and a network of trails, with accessibility to major metropolitan hubs via regional transit.
Responsibilities

The ideal candidate will 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 to facilitate informed policymaking.
Act as a visible leader and spokesperson; actively build and maintain community partnerships.
Provide fiscal oversight with the board to develop and maintain a sustainable budget; proactively identify and pursue grant opportunities and alternative funding streams to support special projects and capital needs.
Oversee maintenance and preservation of library facilities; plan and manage facility upgrades or renovations while respecting architectural integrity.
Lead staff through organizational transitions; foster a collaborative, high-performing work environment through 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.
At least five (5) years of decision-making experience in public, academic, or business library settings.
New York State public librarian’s professional certificate or eligibility for certification at time of application; certificate required within three months of appointment.
Eligible 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 are desirable.
Compensation:

The hiring salary range is $85,000 – $110,000 (with placement negotiable, dependent on experience and qualifications) and an excellent benefits package.
Interested candidates should submit their resume by clicking the Apply button above. For further information, contact Bradbury Miller Associates. This position closes on Sunday, May 31, 2026.
Library and Community Links

Port Jervis Free Library Director Job Description
Port Jervis Free Library Strategic Plan
Port Jervis Free Library Budget
Port Jervis Free Library Annual Report
Handbook for Public Library Directors in New York State
City of Port Jervis
https://www.pjschools.org/
Things to do in Port Jervis, New York
Fort Decker Museum of History
Hawks Nest
Elks-Brox Park
Cost of Living Calculator link

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