Lead the Heart of Southeast Virginia: Director, Blackwater Regional Library

Are you a visionary leader ready to bridge rich history with modern innovation? The Blackwater Regional Library is seeking a dynamic Director to steer our vibrant five-locality consortium, spanning Isle of Wight, Southampton, Surry, and Sussex Counties, and the City of Franklin.

Blackwater Regional Library isn’t just a system. For more than 60 years, the library has served as the cultural anchor for a region famous for its charming towns, scenic riverfronts and beautiful countryside. We offer the best of both worlds: the peace of rural Virginia living with immediate access to the Hampton Roads and Richmond metropolitan hubs. BRL supports this area of more than 1600 square miles via its nine brick and mortar locations, its digital library, and its Bookmobile/Outreach services serving a population of over 80,000.

We are looking for a strategic, relationship-driven leader to write the next chapter for our libraries—balancing our unique heritage with a bold, accessible vision for the future. If you thrive on building community and leading with purpose in a picturesque, flourishing region, your next career home is here.

Discover the heart of Virginia. Lead Blackwater Regional Library.

The Director must have the organizational, technical, and interpersonal skills to meet all responsibilities outlined in the Library Director’s job description. These include management of Library operation through oversight of staff, budget collection and facilities; regular communication and interaction with the Board of Trustees, especially in matters of planning, policy, development and reporting; and representation and advocacy for BRL in the community-at-large.

The successful candidate will demonstrate a strong understanding and ability to articulate the public library’s vision, mission, and values to the community. The job requires collaboration and consensus-building skills, excellent interpersonal and team-building skills, space planning experience, oversight of facilities, and sound fiscal management skills. The successful candidate will have a history of responsiveness to staff, customer and community needs and concerns. Experience with multiple facilities serving multiple jurisdictions and working with elected officials is highly desirable.

Qualifications: ALA-accredited, MLS or MLIS degree is required. Possession of (or the ability to obtain) a Virginia Librarian’s Certificate and a valid driver’s license is required. Professional experience of at least five years, including at least three years of supervisory experience in library management is desired. A full job description is available at www.blackwaterlib.org/employment .

Anticipated starting salary range is $78,000-$84,000, depending on qualifications and includes the following benefits:

· Participation in the Virginia Retirement System

· Health Insurance Benefits, including Dental and Vision Coverage

· Annual, Sick, and Personal Leave

· Life Insurance

· Optional Supplemental Insurance Offerings

To apply, submit a complete application—including your résumé, cover letter, and three professional references with contact information—to BRLBoard@blackwaterlib.org.

The position closes on September 15.

General Definition of Work

Performs complex executive work planning, implementing and directing the activities of the library system, and related work as apparent or assigned.  Work involves setting policies and goals under the direction of the Library Board.  Departmental supervision is exercised over library personnel. Active participation in the implementation of the library’s Long-Range Plan is expected of all employees of Blackwater Regional Library as it relates to their job descriptions. Employees are expected to set and accomplish goals for job performance annually as a part of the Long-Range Plan.

Qualification Requirements

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required.

Essential Functions

Responsible to the Library Board of the Blackwater Regional Library for all aspects of staffing and operations of the library

Plans, organizes, directs and evaluates the activities of the public library

Supervises the preparation and execution of the budget and the maintenance of library accounts, records and bill payments

Has oversight for the recruitment and selection of library personnel; plans and directs work of staff; disciplines and counsels employees; recommends suspensions and terminations

Supervises, manages and evaluates Library administrative department heads: Collection Development Manager, Assistant Director, Budget and Finance Manager, Outreach & Marketing Coordinator, and Administrative Services Coordinator 

Plans and facilitates regular meetings of Managers, and Executive Administration Team

Prepares and submits annual reports on library activities to State and County entities, and other organizations as required

Stimulates and guides public relations activities and staff planning for service programs of the library

Directs the maintenance of statistical records on library activities

Ensures the library’s compliance with all state and federal guidelines

Prepares a variety of grant related materials; participates in fund raising activities

Assists in developing, coordinating and maintaining branch Friends groups; attends meetings of Friends of the Library in conjunction with Assistant Director

Represents the library at various meetings, workshops and seminars

Meets with civic, community and other interested groups to explain library services

Responds to inquiries from library personnel and the general public regarding library personnel matters

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Comprehensive knowledge of library principles, methods, materials and practices; comprehensive knowledge of reader interest levels; thorough knowledge of books and authors, periodicals, reference media and library media; comprehensive knowledge of cataloging procedures and problems; ability to analyze library service problems and participate effectively in solving them; ability to plan and supervise the work of subordinates; ability to work independently or as part of a team; ability to interact with a diverse population; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with Library Board members, associates and the general public.

Education and Experience

Master’s degree in Library Science and/or Information Science from an American Library Association accredited program and considerable experience in regional library administration including extensive supervisory experience.

Physical Requirements

This work requires the occasional exertion of up to 10 pounds of force; work frequently sitting, speaking or hearing and using hands to finger, handle or feel and occasionally requires standing, walking, lifting and repetitive motions; work requires close vision, distance vision, ability to adjust focus, depth perception, color perception, night vision and peripheral vision; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels; work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data, operating machines, operating motor vehicles or equipment and observing general surroundings and activities; work has no exposure to environmental conditions; work is generally in a quiet location (e.g. library, private offices).

Special Requirements

Possession of a Virginia Librarian's Certificate.

Possession of an appropriate driver's license valid in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Learn more and apply at: www.blackwaterlib.org/employment