SOUTHWICK – At a meeting Tuesday night, the Select Board approved the posting from the Southwick Public Library and the Library Board of Trustees in order to hire a Library Director.
This past January, current Southwick Library Director Diane Caruso announced she was retiring at the end of this fiscal year on June 30. Serving as the Library Director since 2014, Caruso has been working at the Southwick Public Library since 1996.
Southwick Public Library. (WNG File Photo)
According to Southwick Public Library Board of Trustees member Michael McMahon, the notice seeking to fill the Library Director’s position is being posted internally first for nine or 10 days. If it is determined that there are no internal candidates the position will become external and available to candidates throughout the area.
Candidates for the position are required to have at least three or more years of library administration experience as well as two to four years of supervisory experience as a librarian. There are also special knowledge and abilities as follows:
- Financial skills in preparing departmental budget
- Bookkeeping, accounting, and computer skills
- Strong interpersonal and public services skills
- Strong supervisory/managerial skills
- Knowledge of relevant State and Federal Laws
- A high degree of motivation and initiative; work independently
- Strong multi-level oral and written communication skills
McMahon said the plan is to hire a candidate prior to Caruso retiring on June 30 in order for that person to learn from Caruso the daily duties of that position.
“Each town has their own idiosyncrasies in terms of how things are done in that town and terms of how things are done in that library,” said McMahon.
The Westfield News will update this story once the candidate process moves forward.
