CAPE ELIZABETH — The deadline to apply for the library director position at Thomas Memorial Library is Oct. 14.
The current director, Jay Scherma, who has worked at the library for almost 20 years, in June announced he will retire by the end of January.
The plan is to have a new library director in place by the end of December or the beginning of January. That would coincide with the expected completion of $4 million in library renovations, which were approved in a November 2014 referendum.
“So, with some overlap with Jay and the new building opening, the timing all seems to be on track,” Town Manager Mike McGovern said in a statement published on the town website.
A committee will assist in the search for a new director. It will include one library staff member, one town department head, two nominees from the library board of trustees and two town citizens.
The trustees have come up with a set of characteristics they want in the new director, including being innovative, a strong leader, and a people person, and a visionary.
In June, Scherma said the person will “have to be good at a number of social skills.”
In terms of experience and technical skills, the trustees said they want the new director to be “tech savvy and technologically innovative” and to be skilled in budget development, marketing, and fundraising.
Scherma said the person needs to understand the digital evolution of libraries.
“The new library director will need to have their thumb on the pulse of the evolving range of library services,” he said.
According to the job description, the library director will be responsible for planning and development at the library and must ensure it’s “effective daily operation.”
The director must also have a master’s degree in library science.
The annual salary will be $59,500-$66,000.
Kate Gardner can be reached at 781-3661 ext. 125 or kgardner@theforecaster.net. Follow her on Twitter: @katevgardner.
Renovation of Thomas Memorial Library in Cape Elizabeth is expected to be completed later this year, at around the same time a new library director is hired.
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