Jobs @ MRL

Full-time Assistant Library Director at Central Library (Harrisonburg)

Are you looking for a career where you can engage in the community, provide programs and services that bring people together, foster creativity, and encourage lifelong learning? This is our mission at Massanutten Regional Library (MRL). We are seeking a full-time employee to fill the position of Assistant Library Director at the Central Library in Harrisonburg, VA.

This full-time position works under the direction of the Library Director and serves as the Director in their absence, ensuring continuity of operations, services, and decision-making. The Assistant Library Director directly supervises all branch library managers, including training and evaluation. The position is responsible for daily operations and long-term library development under policies and goals established by the Director and the Board. Serves as a member ex officio of the Board of Trustees to ensure a consistent flow of communication.

Duties and Responsibilities

Leadership and Management:

• Responsible for evaluating library programs, services, and operations at the branches by making site visits, meeting with branch managers, and establishing/maintaining standards.
• Assesses library service delivery for quality, value, and efficiency, ensuring that programs and services are meeting the needs of the public.
• Participates in library-wide planning and decision-making as a member of the Library Administration; this includes long-term strategic planning and progress, as well as designing and revising policy.
• Supervises all library employees in a manner consistent with the organizational structure; assigns and monitors work; evaluates employee work performance; evaluates and determines staffing needs; and disciplines employees as needed in coordination with the Director of Human Resources.
• Participates in the recruitment, selection, and training of library personnel.
• Serves as project manager as needed.
• Acts as a mentor to staff, assisting and encouraging their professional development and providing assistance as needed.
• Identifies issues and concerns and engages in problem-solving library-wide in the areas of operations, staffing, budget, programs, collections management, and technology.
• Attends, conducts, and participates in staff meetings.
• Maintains knowledge of current developments in the library profession, including technological advances, through professional development opportunities, including but not limited to participation in activities of professional organizations such as the American Library Association and the Virginia Library Association.
• Works evenings and/or weekends as needed for emergencies, meetings, special events, and programs.

Community Relations:

• Alongside Director, builds relationships and cooperates with community groups and government officials to implement library services.
• Represents the library and speaks at professional meetings and community functions to promote library services.
• Represents the library by attending meetings that may include: MRL board meetings, Page County library board meetings, Friends meetings, regional meetings, etc.
• Serves as a spokesperson in communicating library policies and procedures to the staff and public.
• With Director of Advancement, engages in development activities such as gifts, endowments, bequests, and grants.
• Alongside Director, responds to and resolves sensitive citizen inquiries, comments, and complaints, including behavior problems.
• Alongside Director, explains, justifies, and defends library services, policies, and activities; negotiates and resolves sensitive and controversial issues.

Vision, Mission, Values

• Uphold Massanutten Regional Library’s vision, mission, and values.
• Represent the library system with dignity, integrity, and a spirit of cooperation in all relationships with staff and public.

Work Environment

This job requires:

• Reliable and satisfactory attendance
• Talking on the phone and communicating by email, text, and instant message
• Working face-to-face with patrons, donors, board members, public officials and community members
• Sitting at a desk or standing for prolonged periods of time
• Using a computer which requires repetitive wrist, hand, and finger motion and extensive screen time
• Handling a high volume and steady flow of work
• Physical efforts of reaching, pulling, pushing, walking up to a mile at a time

Occasionally, this job requires:

• Driving during the day and/or night
• Physical effort in the handling of materials, boxes, carts, and equipment
• Lifting up to 25 lbs

Minimum Qualifications

Education & Experience: 

• Master’s in Library Science (MLS) or Information Science (MIS) from an ALA accredited post-secondary institution or acceptable equivalent

• Six years of library administrative experience showing a progression of increasing responsibility, including at least three years in a supervisory capacity

Credentials, Certificates, Licenses:

• Possesses or has the ability to acquire a Virginia Librarian’s Professional Certificate 

• Valid and current driver’s license

Knowledge & Skills:

• Excellent organizational skills, including the ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects including capital projects 

• Strong personal leadership skills and the ability to represent the library at all levels within the community 

• Ability to develop long-term goals, objectives, actions, and policies to support the mission of the library system 

• Ability to be flexible and adapt to a changing environment 

• Ability to analyze library needs and evaluate library services 

• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information appropriately

• Ability to effectively and positively represent the library before community groups and the public, consistent with the library's vision, mission, and strategic plan

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, community leaders, public officials, leaders of educational and civic organizations, and the general public 

• Knowledge of principles and practices of library and information sciences 

• Ability to prepare and present public presentations 

• Familiar with library and office information technology 

• Ability to maintain a high level of staff morale and a harmonious team environment 

• Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing and follow both written and oral instructions

• Honesty, integrity, ability to maintain confidentiality and responsible stewardship of library resources

The duties, responsibilities, and requirements listed above should not be interpreted as a comprehensive list. Additional duties and responsibilities may be assigned as deemed appropriate and may change at any time with or without notice.

Candidates must have the ability to complete a thorough education, employment, and/or criminal history check as a post offer requirement.

Salary/Compensation for all hours worked during work week: This position is exempt from the FLSA. As such, it is expected that hours of work associated with this position may change from week-to-week, and regularly may exceed 40 hours per workweek depending on the particular demands of the position on a week-to-week basis. The salary for this position is intended to provide compensation for all hours worked in a workweek, including all hours worked beyond 40 in a workweek, regardless of the degree to which those hours may fluctuate or change on a week-to-week basis. 

Anticipated starting salary range is $62,500 to $75,500, depending on qualifications. This position will close on Thursday, October 15, 2026. The target start date for this position is within November 2026.

Benefits accompanying this position include:

• Health, dental & vision coverage
• Paid leave yearly (which includes 60 hours of sick leave, 2 personal days, and accrual of 12 days of vacation) and 10 paid holidays
• Life Insurance equal to 2 times your salary
• Short and long-term disability after 1 year of employment
• Retirement savings plans with the Virginia Retirement System (limited employer match available)

To apply

Applications are available here. Completed applications in a pdf format, plus cover letter, three professional references, and resume can be submitted by e-mail to jobs@mrlib.org. Applications may be mailed to Massanutten Regional Library – Admin Office, 174 S. Main Street, Harrisonburg, VA 22801 but e-mail submission is preferred.

About MRL:

Founded in 1928, Massanutten Regional Library is a seven branch system that serves over 160,000 residents in Harrisonburg, Page County, and Rockingham County. As a 501(c)(3), nonprofit organization, MRL is funded in partnership with these localities and through the generosity of our patrons. Click here to learn more!