Library Director, Kimball Library, Atkinson, New Hampshire

Our current director will retire on July 1st after a distinguished 35-year career in public libraries. The Kimball Library Board of Trustees is accepting applications for the position of Library Director.

Beautiful, modern, and beloved, the Kimball Library is situated near Dow Common along with other municipal facilities. Atkinson, a scenic community of stone walls, open spaces, and approximately 7,300 residents, is located on the Massachusetts border. Retaining its rural character while embracing modern public services, it is a town that values community, connection, and involvement and boasts convenient access to the Boston area, the coast, and points north.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced, innovative, and community-oriented leader. The Director manages all phases of library operations, ensuring it continues to thrive as the informational and civic heart of Atkinson. Last year, the Library had more than 45,000 visits!

Position Overview
The Library Director is the chief executive of the Kimball Library. The role combines leadership, management, and vision to ensure the Library provides outstanding service to the community. The Director oversees daily operations, manages staff and resources, coordinates the development and maintenance of all collections, and ensures that the library remains responsive to the evolving needs of the community. The Director reports to the Board of Trustees.

Key Responsibilities
Leadership & Administration
•    Directs all aspects of library operations to deliver high-quality, efficient service.
•    Regularly evaluates library policies, services, and programs in light of trends in librarianship and community needs.
•    Develops, presents and manages the annual municipal budget.
•    Maintains current knowledge of state and federal laws and regulations affecting public libraries.
•    Monitors relevant national, regional, and local trends, including technology, affecting the Library and update the staff and the Board as needed.
•    Prepares all statistical and narrative reports as required, including the annual town, state and federal reports, and a monthly report for the Library Board of Trustees.

Community Engagement
•    Builds strong partnerships with the Friends of the Library, schools, local government, cultural organizations, and community groups.
•    Acts as the public face of the Library, advocating for its role as a center for learning, enjoyment, creativity, and civic engagement.
•    Represents the Library at meetings of Town Department Heads, Selectboard, Budget Committee, and others when necessary or invited.

Staff & Human Resources
•    Fosters a collaborative, communicative, and positive workplace.
•    Recruit, hire, train, and evaluate staff, recommending new hires to the Board for approval.
•    Delegates, assigns and adjusts duties to ensure effective operations.
•    Invests in professional growth through ongoing training and development opportunities. 
•    Advocates for competitive wages and benefits.

About the Library:
In addition to the director, there are currently 3 full-time staff, 8 part-time staff, and volunteers. The Library, open 55 hours a week over 6 days, is governed by an elected board of trustees, and benefits from an active friends group.

Minimum requirements (training, skills, education, experience):
The ideal candidate will have earned a master's degree in library science from an American Library Association accredited school, have 7-10 years of progressive positions in senior management, be a collaborative leader with a patron-driven commitment to outstanding library service and possess excellent communication skills. In addition, a thorough understanding of the operations and functions of public libraries, proven expertise in selection, managing collections, personnel, facilities, and developing budgets are required. The successful candidate will be a creative, energetic individual with a growth mindset and clear vision of the current and future value of the public library in our community.

Benefits:
Competitive Paid Time Off
Insurance:     Health, life, and short-term disability
Pension:        New Hampshire Retirement System

Hiring Wage Range:
Salary:    $82,000 - $92,000 with competitive benefits based on experience and qualifications
How to submit an application/resume:
To apply submit the following materials to chair@kimballlibrary.com:
•    Cover letter: Please share your vision for the future of public libraries and how you would work to realize that vision.
•    Resume
•    Three professional references to be contacted only with prior notice.

U.R.L. (Link) to online job description/application):
https://kimballlibrary.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Job-Description-Director.pdf

Closing date for submissions:
9/15/2026

 

 

Library Assistant, Kimball Library, Atkinson, NH

Job Description:
This part-time position is ideal for parents of school-age children.

Do you thrive on interacting with people and serving your community? Can you deliver outstanding customer service in a busy setting?  

The Kimball Library is looking for a person who is positive, friendly, detail-orientated, exercises good judgment, and has excellent communication and technology skills to join our forward-looking team. 

Previous experience working in a public library is ideal; experience working in a customer service setting is required. A flexible schedule with the capacity to pick up additional hours as needed is highly desirable.

The position is 6 to 12 hours a week- an average of 8 hours.
• Monday 9:00 -12:30 PM, 
• Friday 9:30 -12:30 PM 
• Saturdays in a 4-week rotation from 9:00 - 3:00 PM. 
• For the foreseeable future, this position accommodates having 10 summer weeks off.

Extra training hours are available during November and December.

This position reports to the Director.

Please visit https://kimballlibrary.com for a complete job description.

Minimum requirements (training, skills, education, experience):
REQUIRED:
• Embraces change, accepts direction and can focus with frequent interruptions.
• Helps to creates a positive environment for patrons and other staff. 
• Enjoys working with people of all ages.
• Demonstrates good judgement, patience, maturity, tact, and an excellent attitude.
• Adheres to all library polices.

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND, EXPERIENCE, AND TRAINING
Bachelor’s Degree preferred. 

Professional/practical library experience in a public library is highly desirable.
Extensive experience in a busy customer service setting.
Working knowledge of Koha or other ILS platforms for circulation and searching the catalog strongly preferred.

Demonstrated capacity for a high degree of accuracy working with detailed information.

Experience working with computer software applications, including Microsoft Word and Excel.

Interest is learning new technologies and helping patrons master them.

Outstanding communication skills (verbal and written).

Able to lift books or boxes up to 20 pounds. Able to push or pull a book truck weighing 100 pounds 

All employees are expected to support and promote the policies of the Kimball Library as set by Board of Library Trustees: examples include the Library Mission Statement, the Library Bill of Rights, and the Freedom to Read Statement.

Benefits:
Holidays and snow closures occurring during regularly scheduled hours are paid. There is sick time for Covid and paid bereavement time.

Hiring Wage Range:
$18.50/hr with annual COLA increases.

Other Considerations/Requirements:
Schedule flexibility in order to provide coverage for other shifts as they become available is required. The Library is open: M-Th 9:30 to 8; Fri 9:30 to 5 and Sat 9:30 to 3.

How to submit an application/resume:
Send a cover letter and application to: director@kimballlibrary.com

Position is open until filled with a first review of applicants beginning immediately. Send letter of interest and resume to: director@kimballlibrary.com

Closing date for submissions:
1/9/2026

 

Youth Services Librarian, Kimball Library, Atkinson, NH

Job Description:

Youth Department is seeking an energetic, creative, and enthusiastic team member. We are looking for someone committed to providing excellent library services to children from birth through the young adult years. This is an ideal position for a person who enjoys and respects children, values relationships with them and their families, and loves learning.

This librarian will be involved in creating and implementing programs, ranging from preschool story times to activities for early elementary aged children and t/weens. Regular duties include providing reader’s advisory, reference services, and technology assistance to children, their caretakers, and educators; creating and maintaining book displays and promotional materials; assisting the Director of Youth Services with collection development and maintenance; assisting with community outreach programming; and special projects as assigned.

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, resume, and 3 references by email to Karen Brown, Director, at director@kimballlibrary.com and Kathy Watson, Director of Youth Services, at kwatson@kimballlibrary.com. Open until filled.

Minimum requirements (training, skills, education, experience):

A successful candidate will have prior experience working with children, excellent communication and interpersonal skills, an in-depth knowledge of children’s literature, and strong computer and technology skills, including using the Internet, online databases, library catalog, email, and Microsoft Office. Artistic ability is a plus. Must be able to multitask and thrive in an extremely active Children’s Room with over 500 programs in 2024, attracting 9,000 attendees.

MLIS strongly preferred. Bachelor’s degree required.

Benefits:

This full-time position carries a full benefits package.

Hiring Wage Range:

Salary starts as high as $24.50/hour ($50,960/year), commensurate with experience and education. Scheduled hours include two weekday evenings until 8:00 and a Saturday rotation from 10:00 to 3:00 once a month.

How to submit an application/resume:

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, resume, and 3 references by email to Karen Brown, Director, at director@kimballlibrary.com and Kathy Watson, Director of Youth Services, at kwatson@kimballlibrary.com. Open until filled.

URL (Link) to online job description/application):

https://kimballlibrary.com/

 

Circulation Coordinator, Kimball Library, Atkinson, NH

 

Join our wonderful library community with its talented staff and appreciative customers.  We are looking for an energetic, enthusiastic person to guide the outstanding circulation experience our staff is famous for.

 

Job Description:

The Circulation Coordinator is a leadership position modeling outstanding customer service and working to ensure consistency. This individual will contribute to circulation policy and procedure development, keep colleagues abreast of issues or changes and assist in the training of new staff.

 

Under the supervision of the Library Director, the Circulation Coordinator provides fundamental and specialized customer services with an emphasis on all activities related to circulation, the display of library materials and readers advisory. This individual is able to assist and train the public in the use of online resources, library equipment and facilities; is knowledgeable about and able to promote the resources and programs of the Library and contributes substantially to creating an outstanding customer experience.

Requirements:

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Provides exemplary customer service and embraces the library’s values and mission. Demonstrates excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate effectively and appropriately with people of all ages and abilities. Possesses a desire to work in a public service role and the capacity to create a welcoming atmosphere. Is able to explain and enforce library policy. Fosters and maintains positive working relationships with colleagues and the public. Displays enthusiasm and a capacity to learn new skills especially with regard to technology. Is able to work independently, under supervision and collaboratively as part of a team. Exercises initiative and independent judgment in a variety of situations. Demonstrates attention to detail, strong written communication skills and the ability to work productively with frequent interruptions while balancing multiple projects. Excellent judgement, maturity, tact and problem-solving skills are required. A love of reading and wide knowledge of books and authors is highly desirable.

 

The Ideal Candidate:

Will have a minimum of 2 years experience working in a library setting including in circulation services.

Previous work in customer service.

 

Technology, Equipment and Devices:

This position requires proficiency with computers and commonly used office software such as Microsoft Office. The capacity to learn to troubleshoot general office equipment and other technologies is necessary. Experience with Koha or similar ILS, databases and library operations is strongly preferred.

 

Schedule:

This is an 18 hour a week position. The tentative schedule is four mornings a week plus attendance at monthly staff meetings and five Saturdays a year from 9 to 3 PM.

 

Hiring Wage:

$18.50 an hour with experience.

Benefits include: paid holidays for days you are scheduled to work; bereavement time and paid Covid sick time.

 

To Apply:

Please send a cover letter and resume to director@kimballlibrary.com

 

Open until filled.