We're looking for the next Director of the Pierson Library! Interested? See the job description below for details: 

 

Job:                        Library Director

Department:                Library

Reports To:                Board of Trustees

FLSA Status:                Exempt

Prepared Date:        September 1, 2026

The Town of Shelburne is seeking an experienced, collaborative, and forward-thinking leader to serve as full-time Director of the Pierson Library. At the heart of Shelburne Village, the Pierson Library is more than a place to access information and resources—it is a vibrant community gathering place where people come to learn, connect, discover, and engage with one another. Our mission reflects the role we strive to play in the community: To foster ideas, culture, and connection for the Shelburne community.

Overview of Position

The Library Director serves as the Library’s chief executive and provides strategic and operational leadership. Working in partnership with the Board of Trustees, the Director advances the Library’s mission and strategic direction, translates Board-approved priorities and policies into effective operations, and provides the Board with the information, analysis, and professional expertise necessary for sound governance and decision-making.

The Director leads and develops an experienced staff; oversees Library services, programs, collections, technology, finances, and facilities; builds strong relationships throughout the community and Town government; and ensures that the Library remains responsive to the evolving needs of Shelburne. The Director fosters a welcoming, collaborative, and innovative organizational culture grounded in excellent public service, professional standards, and continuous improvement.

Specific Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership and Assessment

• Work collaboratively with the Board of Trustees to develop, implement, evaluate, and periodically update the Library’s strategic plan.
• Translate strategic priorities into measurable organizational and annual goals and align staff responsibilities and resources with those priorities.
• Use quantitative and qualitative data, community input, professional judgment, and emerging trends to develop strategies that strengthen the Library’s effectiveness and sustainability.
• Establish effective systems for collecting, analyzing, and communicating meaningful data about Library use, performance, community needs, and impact.

Staff Leadership and Organizational Development

• Recruit, supervise, support, and develop a high-performing team of staff and volunteers.
• Foster a positive, respectful, collaborative workplace culture characterized by clear expectations, open communication, accountability, and opportunities for professional growth.
• Establish appropriate organizational structures, responsibilities, performance expectations, and evaluation processes.
• Ensure effective staffing, scheduling, and allocation of personnel resources to meet operational and strategic needs.

Services, Collections, Programs, Technology, and Patron Experience

• Ensure consistently excellent, welcoming, accessible, and responsive service to all members of the community.
• Evaluate services and programs and support staff in adapting them in response to diverse community needs.
• Promote equitable access to Library resources, services, spaces, and programs.
• Provide strategic oversight of the Library’s physical, digital, and nontraditional collections, ensuring that they remain relevant, accessible, well managed, and responsive to diverse community interests and needs.
• Provide leadership for the Library’s technology strategy and ensure that technology infrastructure, resources, and services effectively support patrons and staff.

Financial Management and Stewardship

• Develop annual operating and capital budget recommendations in partnership with the Board of Trustees and support the Trustees throughout the municipal budget process.
• Manage Library revenues and expenditures within approved budgets and maintain appropriate financial controls and records.
• Identify and plan for long-term operating, technology, facility, and capital needs.
• Evaluate vendors, contracts, and expenditures.
• Identify, pursue, administer, and report on grant-funding opportunities.

Community Engagement, Partnership, and Advocacy

• Serve as a visible and engaged leader within the Shelburne community and communicate the Library’s mission, services, accomplishments, needs, and value.
• Build and maintain productive relationships with all library stakeholders, including patrons, community organizations, schools, businesses, and Friends of the Pierson Library, to understand evolving needs and opportunities to offer better services.
• Represent the Library and Town, as appropriate, at community meetings, professional organizations, conferences, and other public forums.

Governance and Municipal Partnership

• Maintain a strong working partnership with the Board of Trustees and support the Board in fulfilling its governance responsibilities by preparing clear, timely reports and informing the Board about significant opportunities, challenges, trends, and developments affecting the Library.
• Implement Board-approved policies and advise the Board on policies requiring adoption, review, or revision.
• Maintain productive working relationships with the Town Manager, Selectboard, Town staff, and other municipal departments while respecting the respective responsibilities of the Board, Director, and Town government.
• Coordinate with Town personnel on shared systems, services, facilities, financial processes, and other matters affecting Library operations.

Facility and Operational Management

• Ensure that the Library facility is safe, welcoming, accessible, functional, and well maintained.
• Coordinate with Town personnel and outside vendors regarding building systems, maintenance, repairs, safety, security, and regulatory compliance.
• Identify current and future facility needs and work with the Board and Town to plan for maintenance, improvements, and capital projects.
• Maintain emergency, safety, security, and continuity-of-operations procedures.

Administration and Compliance

• Ensure effective administrative systems, recordkeeping, statistics, reporting, and internal procedures necessary for efficient Library operations, informed decision-making, and compliance with applicable Board, Town, and State of Vermont policies, professional standards, municipal requirements, and state and federal law.
• Oversee the appropriate administration of monetary and material gifts and other Library resources in accordance with applicable policies and legal requirements.

Qualifications

A Master’s Degree in Library or Information Science is required, along with progressively responsible experience in library administration, organizational leadership, budgeting, and staff supervision.

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• Strong and collaborative organizational leadership skills, including experience building and supporting effective teams.
• Experience with strategic planning, organizational growth or change, and translating long-term priorities into measurable goals and effective operations.
• Strong financial and administrative skills, including budgeting, financial oversight, resource allocation, and organizational planning.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to build productive relationships with all library stakeholders.
• Willingness to jump in and work alongside staff to ensure great patron service.
• A commitment to excellent public service and to creating a welcoming, accessible, and inclusive environment for all members of the community.
• An understanding of contemporary public library services, including collections, programming, technology, intellectual freedom, privacy, and equitable access to information.
• The ability to navigate complex issues thoughtfully and communicate clearly with multiple constituencies.
• Commitment to continued professional learning and awareness of emerging trends and developments affecting public libraries and the communities they serve.

Experience working with a governing board, municipal government, facilities management, and library technology is highly desirable.

Reporting Relationship and Work Schedule

The Library Director reports to the Pierson Library Board of Trustees and works collaboratively with the Town Manager, Selectboard, and other Town personnel as appropriate to support effective Library operations and municipal coordination.

The position requires a flexible schedule, including occasional evening and weekend hours, to attend Board meetings, Town meetings and functions, community events, and other activities necessary to effectively lead and understand Library operations.

Salary: $90,000 - $110,000

How to Apply

To apply, please submit a letter of interest & resume to elizabeth.a.berman@gmail.com. Review of applications will begin October 15, 2026. Applications will continue to be accepted until the position is filled.

More About the Pierson Library

Pierson Library is a vibrant and highly valued community resource serving residents of all ages. The Library offers a rich collection of print, digital, and nontraditional resources; a wide range of educational, cultural, and recreational programming; technology and research assistance; and welcoming spaces for gathering, studying, working, and connecting.

The Library operates from an award-winning contemporary facility designed to support the evolving ways people use and experience public libraries. Since the building opened in 2019, community use has grown significantly, reflecting both Shelburne’s growth and the Library’s expanding role in community life. An experienced and dedicated staff, engaged Board of Trustees, strong community partnerships, and enthusiastic public support provide a strong foundation for the Library’s next chapter.

About Shelburne

Shelburne is a community of approximately 8,000 residents located along the shores of Lake Champlain, just south of Burlington, Vermont’s largest city. The town combines the character of a historic Vermont village with convenient access to the cultural, educational, recreational, and employment opportunities of the greater Burlington area.

Shelburne is home to nationally recognized institutions and destinations including Shelburne Farms and Shelburne Museum, as well as a thriving community of local businesses, farms, and nonprofit organizations. Residents enjoy exceptional access to outdoor recreation throughout the Champlain Valley and nearby Green Mountains, including hiking, cycling, sailing, paddling, fishing, and cross-country and downhill skiing. The University of Vermont and UVM Medical Center are also a short drive away.

With strong schools, active civic and community organizations, and abundant cultural and recreational opportunities, Shelburne offers an exceptional quality of life and a community deeply invested in the institutions that bring people together.