Current Job Openings

Open Positions

Adult and College/University Programs Manager 

REPORTS TO: Executive Director

SUPERVISES: High school and college/university interns

STATUS: Full-time; exempt salaried employee, 40 hours/week, with occasional evenings and weekends.

SALARY/COMPENSATION: The starting salary range for this role is $55,000-$60,000. Pequot Library provides a competitive benefits package including health, dental, and vision insurance as well as employer-contributed pension plans and generous paid time off.

OVERVIEW

 Pequot Library is searching for a dynamic and enthusiastic nonprofit arts and culture professional to provide leadership, coordination, and evaluation of a variety of public programs for adults and college/university-aged students, which are inspired by both the circulating collection and rotating schedule of Special Collections exhibitions. The position will ensure that all programs are designed for a broad and diverse audience and support the Library’s commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA.)

EXHIBITIONS AND PROGRAMS

• Working with the Chief Librarian, Special Collections Librarian, Children’s Librarian, and the Youth and Teen Library Services Manager, develop and manage a robust schedule of on-site and virtual public programs involving artists/authors, musicians/performers, historians, scholars, and other presenters in the form of gallery talks, panel discussions, music concerts, dance and theatrical performances, book discussions/signings, and other programming related to the Library’s Special Collections holdings, especially its Early Americana collection.
• Coordinate with the Library’s Meet the Author volunteer committee and community partner Music for Youth as well as other peer community groups like Fairfield University’s Quick Center for the Arts and Fairfield Public Library.
• Work closely with colleagues to curate a changing schedule of innovative, high-caliber learning experiences for a diverse audience, including film series, day art /history trips, scholarly presentations, hands-on art-making and writing workshops, inter-generational learning opportunities, life-long learning opportunities for older adults, and other experiential opportunities inspired by the Library’s circulating collections and Special Collections exhibitions.
• In collaboration with the Special Collections Librarian, assist with the development of exhibition related support/interpretive resources, such as educator pre/post-visit materials.
• Conduct in-person and virtual public tours for adults and college/university students of the historic neighborhood, Library building/history, and Special Collections exhibitions.

MARKETING/COMMUNICATIONS

• Work closely with the Marketing and Communications team on drafting press releases and program descriptions and designing invitations and related promotional material.
• Manage the preparation of content for the quarterly public program brochure, website, and social media outlets, as applicable to adult and college/university public programs/education.
• Evaluate adult and college/university public programs/education and build awareness and participation, being aware of community interests and needs.
• Collect and maintain audience surveys and participant/visitor demographic data.

REQUIRED EDUCATION/QUALIFICATIONS

• College/university degree in education, humanities subject, or a related field with at least three years of professional experience working in a public, private, or university library, nonprofit arts and/or culture organization, and/or art museum/historical society.
• Proven track record of developing innovative education opportunities and public programs for adult and college/university student learners related to a variety of humanities fields and current events, especially American history (Colonial Period to Progressive Era.)
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills for a variety of audiences and ages, including the ability to deliver engaging public presentations in person and virtually.
• Able to thrive in a fast-paced environment that supports teamwork and collaboration among library staff, volunteers, and high school/college/university student interns.
• Experience with volunteer recruitment and management experience.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with a proven record of working well with colleagues and other key stakeholders.
• A spirit of teamwork and collaboration with a mindset that is rooted in flexibility.

PREFERRED EDUCATION/QUALIFICATIONS

• A graduate degree is preferred.
• Actively involved with peers working in the museum/historical society, public library, or Special Collection library fields.
• Knowledge of Early Americana, American history, and/or New England history.
• Wide knowledge of local arts and culture organizations, current informal education methodologies, and trends in informal learning.
• A demonstrated interest in public libraries and/or Special Collections a strong plus.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Pequot Library is an Equal Opportunity Employer and recruits, hires, and trains without discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, age, place of birth, gender identity or expression, disability status, sexual orientation, pregnancy, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. Pequot Library is committed to diversity and inclusion in its workplace.

This policy applies to all employment practices within our organization, including hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, leave of absence, compensation, benefits, training, and apprenticeship. Pequot Library makes hiring decisions based solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs at the time.

ABOUT PEQUOT LIBRARY 

Pequot Library’s mission extends far beyond traditional public libraries. Housed in a historic building, framed by an expansive front lawn, and located on over three acres in the historic village of Southport in Fairfield, Conn., Pequot Library is a small gem to be discovered.

Since 1894 Pequot Library has been a cultural pillar of Fairfield County, providing unique library services and diverse programming to our local and regional community. Pequot Library helps children develop a life-long interest in reading and learning through engaging programs and special activities. The Library presents concerts, exhibitions, lectures, and a wide range of cultural, educational, and community events in both its auditorium/concert hall and the Perkin Gallery. Inspired by its Special Collections, the Library engages its audiences with the pressing issues of today. Pequot Library is committed to integrating its important Special Collections into its day-to-day service to a broad and diverse community through exhibitions, multidisciplinary programs, and hands-on learning opportunities.

The Library received the Connecticut Treasures award by the CT. Chapter/American Institute of Architects and an Award of Merit from the Connecticut League of History Organizations in 2018. In fiscal year 2019-2020, the Library welcomed nearly 39,000 visitors of all ages for over 375 programs.

Interested candidates are encouraged to send a confidential letter of interest, c.v./résumé (in one document) with the subject heading Adult and College/University Programs Manager to jobs@pequotlibrary.org. Only the most qualified candidates will be contacted. Applications will be received until the position is filled.

2022 Dillon Fellowships

Pequot Library in Southport, CT is pleased to announce the first year of the Dillon Fellowship program, which will provide support to researchers working on the library’s collections for projects lasting between one week and one month. The Dillon Fellowship, supported by a generous donation from the Dillon Fund, will provide a stipend and living expenses for fellows, not including housing, for two fellows a year. Dillon Fellows will conduct research that draws on any aspect of our holdings. We are particularly interested in proposals focused on the history of libraries, but any projects that incorporate Pequot’s rare books and archival materials will be considered. Among the library’s noted strengths are its collections of Americana, local history, fine arts press, and historic children’s books, as well as its well-preserved pamphlets and printed ephemeral materials from the late eighteenth through the nineteenth centuries.

Click here for details and to apply.