Library Director

The Chelmsford Public Library has long stood as a pillar of the community providing the third place, the community’s living room, where people and ideas can come together – finding connections and comfort in each other. We are the community’s bridge to exploration, engagement, and enjoyment and we strive to be the spark for discovery at the heart of Chelmsford. We’re here to provide the support, resources, and environment our patrons need to explore new ideas and engage with the written word and with the world around them.

And you can help us realize that vision.

The Chelmsford Public Library is seeking an energetic and visionary Library Director to lead the second largest organization in the Merrimack Valley Library Consortium (MVLC). With a total circulation of more than 150,000 books and over 27,000 registered borrowers, our two branches proudly provide services beyond book lending, including a popular Library of Things, Pop-up Library, and a wide variety of staff and community-led programs.

The Director will work with an exceptional and enthusiastic staff, dedicated and dynamic Friends of the Library organization, and an active corps of volunteers to ensure the provision of high-quality services to a library supportive public. The Director will also collaborate with a supportive Board of Trustees and execute the decisions and policies of the Board.

The ideal candidate will have a positive attitude, an innovative spirit, a curious nature, and a genuine interest in people and community. Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills are essential as is the ability to foster a culture that strives for excellence and promotes positive change. They should promote the inclusion of our diverse community and strive to provide equitable services to all.

Applicants must possess a thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of public library administration, strategic planning, finance, technology trends, personnel administration, facility management, public relations, and social media. Experience in a collective bargaining environment is a plus.

Learn more about our Library’s mission, vision, and values, and our strategic plan on our website: Strategic Plan 2020-2025.

Take a virtual tour through the library and see the space you could lead to exciting new heights:

This tour was created in the spring of 2013. Click the white arrows on the bottom to “walk” through the library, and use the white circle in the top-left to look around. Click to view if tour is not visible.

How to apply:

Read the full job description here.

A cover letter, resume, and three library related references may be sent to trustees@chelmsfordlibrary.org by February 21, 2023.

Chelmsford is a scenic community with easy access to the city of Boston, the Atlantic coastline and the White Mountains of New Hampshire. Surprising and breathtaking beauty in nestled trails, beaches, and pathways give Chelmsford that small town feel and reflect its rural past. Our history is alive, embraced, and proudly preserved. Read more about our thriving community in the Town of Chelmsford Annual Report – check out the library section to learn more about our achievements in the last year! The Town of Chelmsford has also published a vision and values statement!