The Board of Trustees of the Dennis P. McHugh Piermont Public Library is pleased to announce the appointment of Kristine Palacios as the new library director.
Palacios served most recently as the director of the Willington Public Library in Willington, Connecticut. She has worked at Willington for the past four years. Palacios holds a Master of Library and Information Science from Wayne State University.
“We are truly delighted to welcome Ms. Palacios to our library family,” said Judith Epstein, president of the Piermont Public Library Board of Trustees. “She brings with her valued experience from her previous role as library director in Connecticut as well as an enthusiasm to further the Dennis P. McHugh Piermont Public Library’s role in the entire community.”
Prior to serving as director of the Willington Library, Palacios was assistant director at the library. Previously she was library assistant at Richmond Memorial Library in Marlborough, Connecticut.
Palacios holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the University of Connecticut. She also has professional librarian certificates from the states of New York and New Jersey.
Kristine is currently a resident of Vernon, Connecticut, but plans to relocate to the Piermont area. She will begin as library director on March 25th, 2019. 
“I am absolutely thrilled to be joining the Piermont Library!” said Palacios. “I look forward to meeting all of the library’s patron’s and community members; although I have only just begun, I can already see that there is something special about this town, its people, and its library and I am so excited to be a part of that.” 
The library is delighted to roll out the welcome mat for Kristine at a “Meet-and-Greet” reception at the library on Sunday, April 28th at 2PM. All are welcome. Refreshments will be served.

The Dennis P. McHugh Piermont Public Library is a Special District Library serving the Village of Piermont, New York, population est. 2,500. The library is a member of the Ramapo Catskill Library System, a consortium of 47 libraries. The library’s mission is to provide the community with educational and recreational materials, services, and programs to enlighten and enrich the lives of those served. The Board of Trustees seeks an energetic leader to oversee a staff of 3 – 4 employees and act as liaison with 6 independent contractors to fill the position of Library Director I.

The ideal candidate should be a fiscally responsible, dedicated team leader with strong interpersonal and management skills. Strong oral and written communication skills are also necessary. Candidate should be dedicated to the library profession and up-to-date on current library issues and trends. Rockland County Personnel requirements for the Library Director I job title listed below.

LIBRARY DIRECTOR I

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS: This is a complex administrative and technical position responsible for directing a public library as well as the provision of library services. The work involves carrying out policies determined by the library Board of Trustees by establishing procedures and delegating duties and responsibilities. Generally, the size and staffing of the library will necessitate participation in professional and technical library routines. General and/or direct supervision is exercised over the work of all library personnel. Does related work as required.

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES: Evaluates the effectiveness of the library’s services in relation to the changing needs of the community; Recommends necessary library services and personnel policies to the Board of Trustees; Attends meetings of the board and administers their policies; Performs a variety of functions as needed throughout the library such as providing reference or circulation services, searching interlibrary loan and phone requests, ordering and processing materials and assisting patrons; Prepares preliminary budget estimates and may prepare a tentative budget for the Board; Plans and installs new types of services; Administers the expenditure of library funds, performs bookkeeping, pays bills including payroll, prepares all tax forms, does all banking and collects information for the accountant as required; Performs any and all professional and technical library routines including collection development, the selection of books and other media materials, weeding and general arrangement and appearance of the collection; Attends meetings of local and professional groups and stays abreast of professional developments in the field; Recommends appointments, transfers, promotions and dismissals; Represents the library at community meetings; Administers public relations programs; Recommends repairs and alterations; Supervises refuse and recycling; Initiates and participates in special library programming; May direct the maintenance of buildings and grounds.

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS: Thorough knowledge of modern principles and practices of public library services; thorough knowledge of library materials; good knowledge of modern library organizations, aims, policies and procedures; good knowledge of library administration including supervision; skill in the performance of technical library tasks; ability to carry out library policies; ability to comprehend users needs quickly and accurately and to relate them to existing facilities and policies; ability to get along well with others and to participate in the cultural and intellectual activities of the community; tact and courtesy in dealing with staff and the public.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Professional certification as a Public Librarian by the New York State Department of Education and three (3) years of professional library experience in a library of recognized standing, two (2) years of which must have been in a public library in an administrative or supervisory capacity. Experience must have been attained after either: receipt of the certification; or receipt of a masters degree from a library school recognized by the New York State Department of Education.

This is a Civil Service position. Applicant must meet the training and experience criteria for Director I job specifications as set forth by the Rockland County Department of Personnel for permanent appointment.

COMPENSATION: Salary negotiable based on experience starting at $65,000/year plus benefits including New York State Health Insurance and New York State Retirement System

RESIDENCY: The ideal candidate should be a resident of Rockland County, NY

Please send résumé and cover letter by mail or e-mail:

Dennis P. McHugh Piermont Public Library

25 Flywheel Park West

Piermont, New York 10968

Attn. Personnel Committee

Or e-mail: pmtlibsearch@gmail.com