Phoenixville Library News & Job Openings

The Phoenixville Public Library currently seeks one (1) Trustee to be seated on its Board of Trustees beginning Feb/March 2020. As a Trustee, the successful applicants will be responsible for oversight of the library, serving on a board of nine (9). This position fulfills the remainder of a three (3) year term that ends June 30, 2021. As Trustees, the applicant is expected to act in the best interest of the Phoenixville Public Library, in promotion of and in furtherance of the Library’s Mission, which is to provide access to information and services that address the educational, cultural, and recreational needs of the community the library serves. The applicant is expected to familiarize themselves with the bylaws, policies, and operations of the library. Prior non-profit experience, particularly with regard to finance/accounting is preferred, but not required. Further information about the Phoenixville Public Library can be found on its website at www.phoenixvillelibrary.org.
Board Expectations
Advocacy and Personal Involvement
* Board members are expected to be zealous advocates on our behalf, to be enthusiastic communicators of our mission and vision, and to play an integral role in our leadership.
* Board Meeting Attendance –Monthly meeting attendance of approximately 2.5 hours.
* Committee Participation – Actively participate on one or more committees.
* Recruitment – Identify strong candidates for committee work, community advocacy, or fund-raising whom will represent Phoenixville Public Library.
* Participation and attendance at all major fundraising events, currently one (1) per year. (This includes purchasing tickets for all major events, possible donation of goods or services for the event.)
Financial Expectations
* Annual Support – Make a personal annual gift at an appropriate level outside of major event attendance.

Applications are due on or before Feb 3, 2020. Invited applicants will be expected to interview jointly with the Board of Library Trustees and Board of School Directors of the Phoenixville Area School District that date will be announced no later than January 27, 2020. Appointments to the Library Board shall be made by the Board of School Directors thereafter. Applications should be sent to both of the following:

Dr. Alan Fegley, PASD Superintendent
386 City Line Avenue
Phoenixville, PA 19460

fegleya@pasd.k12.pa.us

and

Lara Lorenzi, Executive Director
Phoenixville Public Library
183 2nd Avenue
Phoenixville, PA 19460
llorenzi@ccls.org

Applications should include a letter addressed to Ms. Lorenzi and Dr. Fegley explaining why the applicant wishes to be a Library Trustee and summarizing the applicant’s qualifications and experience. Resumes and references are required.

Phoenixville Public Library Board of Trustees- Job Description

Position Title: Member of the Board of Trustees
Length of Term: Three years
Reports To: Entire Board of Trustees

The board of trustees is legally and ethically responsible for all activities of the organization. More specifically it:
1. Determines how the organization will carry out its mission through long and short-range planning
2. Adopts an annual budget and provides fiscal oversight
3. Recruits, orients, and develops board members
4. Hires and evaluates the performance of the executive director
5. Evaluates its performance and overall performance of the organization in achieving the mission
6. Establishes policies for the effective management of the organization

Responsibilities:
* Understand and promote the organization’s mission
* Be familiar with the organization’s programs, policies, and operations
* Attend board meetings and appropriate committee meetings
* Actively serve on at least one committee and offer to take on special assignments
* Review agenda and supporting documents prior to meetings
* Make an annual contribution to the organization commensurate with ability
* Participate in and attend/support fund raising activities and special events
* Strictly adhere to conflict of interest policies
* Strictly adhere to confidentiality policies

Time Demands (approximate):
* Attend and actively participate in at least 75% of board meetings (11 monthly board meetings, approximately 2 hours in length, on the 1st Monday of the month, except August)
* Attend and actively participate in committee meetings and related work
* Attend special events such as fundraisers and Friend raisers (currently 2 per year)
* Attend new board trustee orientation through CCLS (approx. 2-3 hours)

Financial and Resource Development Expectations:
* Make an annual gift at an appropriate level to the organization (in order to achieve 100% board giving)
* Attend or financially support all special events if you cannot attend
* Sell tickets to fundraising events or ask friends to register/attend events
* Recruit sponsors
* Identify and cultivate potential donors

The League of Women Voters of Chester County has compiled a non-partisan voters guide to the November 5th General Election.  Reference copies of the guide, in English and Spanish, are available for in-Library use at the Adult Library Circulation Desk.

A very limited supply of free tickets to the “Broadway to Bublé” concert at the Community Music School in Trappe on Saturday, October 19, 7:30 PM, is available at the Adult Circulation Desk, while they last.

Phoenixville Public Library has established a collection of materials for immigrants to the United States who are not yet citizens.  Named the “Citizenship Corner”, this collection in the Adult Library features books, audiobooks, DVDs, and other materials, in English and Spanish, to help with citizenship preparation and English language learning.   Titles include Preparing for the Naturalization Test: A Pocket Study Guide, Civics Flash Cards for the Naturalization Test, How to Get a Green Card, Civics and Citizenship Toolkit, Ingles sin Barreras, Get Talking & Keep Talking English Total Audio Course, and more.  There is no charge to borrow any of these items.  Normal checkout periods apply.  A valid Chester County Library System card is required.  The collection is supplemented by informational handouts from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and other local and national agencies that provide assistance to new immigrants.  For more information on the collection, contact Mark Pinto, Adult Services Director, at 610-933-3013 x132 or mpinto@ccls.org.  Phoenixville Public Library is located at 183 Second Avenue, Phoenixville, PA.

The Phoenixville Public Library currently seeks three (3) Trustees to be seated on its Board of Trustees beginning July 2019. 

As a Trustee, the successful applicants will be responsible for oversight of the library, serving on a board of nine (9).  All positions fulfill a three (3) year term.  As Trustees, the applicants are expected to act in the best interest of the Phoenixville Public Library, in promotion of and in furtherance of the Library’s Mission, which is to provide access to information and services that address the educational, cultural, and recreational needs of the community the library serves.  The applicants are expected to familiarize themselves with the bylaws, policies, and operations of the library.  Prior non-profit experience, particularly with regard to finance/accounting is preferred, but not required. Further information about the Phoenixville Public Library can be found on its website at www.phoenixvillelibrary.org. 

Board Expectations

Advocacy and Personal Involvement

• Board members are expected to be zealous advocates on our behalf, to be enthusiastic communicators of our mission and vision, and to play an integral role in our leadership.
• Board Meeting Attendance –Monthly meeting attendance of approximately 2.5 hours.
• Committee Participation – Actively participate on one or more committees.
• Recruitment – Identify strong candidates for committee work, community advocacy, or fund-raising whom will represent Phoenixville Public Library.
• Participation and attendance at all major fundraising events, currently one (1) per year. (This includes purchasing tickets for all major events, possible donation of goods or services for the event.)

Financial Expectations

• Annual Support – Make a personal annual gift at an appropriate level outside of major event attendance.

Applications are due on or before April 5, 2019.  Invited applicants will be expected to interview jointly with the Board of Library Trustees and Board of School Directors of the Phoenixville Area School District that date will be announced no later than April 30, 2019.  Appointments to the Library Board shall be made by the Board of School Directors thereafter.  Applications should be sent to both of the following:

Dr. Alan Fegley, PASD Superintendent
386 City Line Avenue
Phoenixville, PA 19460
fegleya@pasd.k12.pa.us

AND

Lara Lorenzi, Executive Director
Phoenixville Public Library
183 2nd Avenue
Phoenixville, PA 19460
llorenzi@ccls.org

Applications should include a letter addressed to Ms. Lorenzi and Dr. Fegley explaining why the applicant wishes to be a Library Trustee and summarizing the applicant’s qualifications and experience.  Resumes and references are required.

VOLUNTEER POSITION

TITLE: ADULT PROGRAMS ASSISTANT

HOURS: 2-3 evening hours, 3-4 times per month

SUPERVISOR: Adult Services Director

OBJECTIVE: To set up for, assist at, and clean up after the Library’s special programs for adults.

THE PERSON IN THIS POSITION WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR
* Setting up chairs, tables, refreshments for Library programs according to instructions of Adult Services Director and program presenter.
* Setting up and troubleshooting audio/visual aids (laptop, projector, sound system, whiteboard, etc.) needed by the program presenter.
* Operating Library’s camcorder to record designated presentations.
* Ushering and maintaining order in the room during programs.
* Communicating an accurate head count of attendees to Adult Services Director.
* Putting away chairs, tables, AV equipment, etc., following program.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS/SKILLS
* Physical stamina with ability to lift and move up to 40 lbs. of equipment.
* Tech savviness for setting up and troubleshooting computer and AV system issues.
* Ability to interact well with the public and to express one’s self effectively.
* Ability to follow oral and written instructions.
* Attention to detail.
* Ability to work as part of a team.

TRAINING
* An orientation will be provided by the Adult Services Director, with on-the-job follow-ups as needed.

All Library volunteer positions require criminal background checks, both Federal and State, as well as child abuse clearances.  Reimbursement for clearances will be made to the successful applicant after 6 months of volunteer work with the Library.

To apply, contact Mark Pinto, Adult Services Director, at 610-933-3013 x132 or mpinto@ccls.org.

Phoenixville Public Library will launch its museum pass lending program in June.  You will be able to use your Chester County Library System card to gain free access to museums and other popular attractions in the Philadelphia area.  Passes will be available for:

• Academy of Natural Sciences
• Chanticleer Gardens
• Elmwood Park Zoo
• Morris Arboretum
• Museum of the American Revolution (already available!)
• Mütter Museum
• National Constitution Center
• Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
• University of Pennsylvania Museum
• Wharton Esherick Museum

We will be rolling out these passes during the month of June as we receive them.  The passes will be available for FREE 3-day checkout to patrons age 18 or older with an up-to-date library card in good standing.  Holds may be placed in person or by phone to 610-933-3013 x121.  For more information, call 610-933-3013 x132 or e-mail mpinto@ccls.org.

Are you looking for a rewarding volunteer experience?  The Phoenixville Public Library Adult Services Department is looking for additional individuals to instruct patrons one-on-one in the basics of using computers and the Internet.  Fluency in the use of computers, laptops, smartphones, standard office productivity software, e-mail, the Web, and social networking tools is required, as are strong communication and interpersonal skills, friendliness, patience, and approachability.

Availability of two hours a week is desired.  Daytime and evening hours are available.  Applicant must submit to criminal background checks and child abuse clearance.  If interested, or for more information, see Mark Pinto, Adult Services Director, call 610-933-3013, Ext. 132 or e-mail mpinto@ccls.org.

Effective Monday, November 28, the Library will open daily at 9:30 AM.  Closing times will remain the same.

Need Internet access at home, on vacation, or on the road for your business?  Phoenixville Public Library has partnered with T-Mobile to offer a limited number of mobile hotspots to our patrons for a nominal fee.  The Library hotspot program allows Chester County Library System card holders to access unlimited, high-speed Internet service anywhere a T-Mobile signal can be received.  Connect up to ten devices at a time, including desktops, laptops, tablets, smartphones, etc.  Phoenixville Library offers hotspots for 7 or 14 day loan periods.  Rental fee is $14.00 for 7 days or $28.00 for 14 days.  Hotspots must be picked up from and returned to the Phoenixville Library’s Adult Circulation Desk, and are not reservable in advance.  Eligible borrowers must be at least 18 years of age, have an up-to-date library card and registration, have a library account in good standing (no fines or fees owed or other restrictions), and must pay the rental fee at the time of pickup.  Hotpots MAY NOT be returned to the outside bookdrops ($5.00 fine will apply).  For more information, call 610-933-3013 x122 or x132.