Position Opening - Osterhout Free Library

Executive Director, Osterhout Free Library
“Osterhout Free Library—A Window on the Past….A Doorway to the Future.”

The Board of Trustees of the Osterhout Free Library (Wilkes-Barre, PA) seeks an energetic and visionary leader as its next Executive Director. Housed in a historic 1849 facility (with additions in 1966 and 1982) and operating three branch libraries, the director will work with a talented and dedicated staff to serve the 123,612 residents of the library’s service area. With an annual operating budget of $1.8 million and significant trust funds, the successful candidate will have the opportunity to develop services and programs that actively position and promote the Library throughout the community--and explore new opportunities to both expand services and attract additional support. The Executive Director also serves as the administrator of Wilkes-Barre Library District and the Luzerne County Library System.

Located on the banks of the Susquehanna River, which cuts a path through beautiful mountains and winds into the broad valley of the Greater Wilkes-Barre, the area is home of the county seat, an international airport, five colleges and universities, and serves as the center of business and industry for Northeastern Pennsylvania.

Qualifications include: an MLS from an ALA accredited program; a minimum of seven years of library experience including four years of administrative experience (preferably as a library director); excellent interpersonal and communication skills; ability to build effective relationships with individuals and groups; and a proven track-record in fund raising and building support for programs and services. The complete job description and additional information on the Library and the Wilkes-Barre community can be found at Wilkes-Barre Links.

The salary range is $65,000-$75,000 DOQ with a competitive benefits package.

For additional information, contact Dan Bradbury, danbradbury@gossagesager.com or by phone, 816.531.2468. The closing date for applications is Nov. 10, 2007. To apply, please send a cover letter and current resume as attachments via email to danbradbury@gossagesager.com

Pittston Memorial Library

The Pittston Memorial Library will be closed from Tuesday, 24 October until Wednesday, 31 October 2007 due to construction. Please return all materials to any other library within the Luzerne County Library System.

North Branch of the Osterhout Free Library Temporarily Closes

As of the close of business today, the North Branch of the Osterhout Free Library will close. This temporary closing is due to the facility not meeting our current standards of operation.

The Osterhout Free Library Board of Directors is exploring all possible alternatives in an attempt to continue to provide services in this area of the city.

Amnesty Week @ Your Library

Are overdue fines stopping you from checking out library items? Are you embarrassed to visit the library because you know you have that long-overdue item sitting on your coffee table?

Don’t worry. Here is your chance to regain your borrowing privileges and banish your guilt. During the first week of October, bring all your overdue items to one of the participating Luzerne County Library System locations and we will waive your fines for undamaged returned items…no questions asked.

Participating libraries include: Osterhout Free Library (all locations), Marian Sutherland Kirby Library, Plymouth Public Library, West Pittston Library and Wyoming Free Library.
For more information contact your local library.

AuthorFest 2007

The Luzerne County Library System and Tudor Bookshop and Cafe announce that AuthorFest 2007 is coming to Wilkes-Barre on Sunday, October 21. Beginning at 1:30 p.m. at the Genetti Best Western Hotel in Wilkes-Barre, ten nationally published authors will meet their readers, enjoy a Viennese Dessert Table and sign autographs of their books purchased that day. Tickets are on sale at Luzerne County Library System member locations and the Tudor Bookshop in Kingston. The $16 price includes admission, refreshments, a $3.00 library donation, and a $5 coupon toward the purchase of one of the authors’ books.

AuthorFest organizer, Lynn Gonchar, owner of Tudor Bookshop in Kingston, has secured a number of mystery writers this year, including Stephen Hunter, author of 47th Samurai, a Bob Lee Swagger thriller. Laura Dave, whose London is the Best City in America, the wickedly funny story of two siblings’ struggle through one wild and emotional wedding weekend, will also be a guest. In Secret Daughter, June Cross tells the story of her childhood as the black child of a white mother who “surrendered her upbringing” to black family friends.

Other authors appearing this year include Jill Bialosky, The Life Room, Elizabeth Joy Arnold, Pieces of My Sister’s Life, and Lauren Willig, The Deception of the Emerald Ring. William Lashner, A Killer’s Kiss and Marked Man; Duane Swierczynski , author of The Blonde and The Wheelman; Dave White, When One Man Dies, and Jane O’Connor, Dangerous Admissions and the Fancy Nancy series.

Raffle tickets are available for purchase at a cost of $2.00 each or 3 for $5.00 at any library in the Luzerne County Library System locations.

Event tickets may be purchased for $16.00 at any library in the Luzerne County Library System or at the Tudor Bookshop and Cafe.

Shown in the photo reviewing some of the many prizes to be raffled as part of the event are, left to right: Martha Butler, Director, Back Mountain Memorial Library; Robert Robine, System Board President; and David Marks, Director, Hoyt Library.

About the Luzerne County Library System

Founded in 1984, the Luzerne County Library System (LCLS) serves the approximately 320,000 residents of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania. LCLS is comprised of ten autonomous libraries: Back Mountain Memorial Library in Dallas; Hazleton Area Public Library in Hazleton (a main library and four branches in surrounding communities, two of which are in a neighboring county); Hoyt Library in Kingston; M.S. Kirby Library in Mountaintop; Mill Memorial Library in Nanticoke; Osterhout Free Library in Wilkes-Barre (with a main library and three branch locations); Pittston Memorial Library in Pittston; Plymouth Public Library in Plymouth; West Pittston Memorial Library in West Pittston; and the Wyoming Free Library in Wyoming.