Phoenixville Library News & Job Openings

Title: Part-time Circulation Assistant

Summary / Main Purpose of Job:
The Phoenixville Public Library is a non-profit organization with the mission of providing access to educational, cultural, and recreational resources for the community it serves. The library is currently seeking part-time circulation assistant who will report to the Circulation Manager. Part-time circulation assistants are responsible for performing all circulation duties in a timely, efficient manner.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities
* Must have the ability to work in a fast-paced environment and have excellent customer service and computer skills.
* Performs all circulation desk duties using computerized system
* Check materials in/out/renew materials
* Reserve materials
* Issues new patron cards/updates cards
* Manages the routing of Holds
* Handle financial transactions accurately.
* Performs all opening/closing procedures in work area/public areas
* Performs basic reference work or refers it to senior staff in charge
* Assisting patrons with finding library materials, providing reader’s advisory, answering basic computer queries, and monitoring appropriate use of the facility.
* Inspect returned materials for damage.
* Greets, direct, and provide information to library customers and performs a variety of clerical tasks related to the processing, sorting and circulation of library materials.
* Respond to incoming telephone calls and provide basic assistance with directional, instructional and informational inquiries at the circulation desks and public workstations.
* Keep abreast of all system changes and improvements.
* Keep pace with all library policies, staff meeting minutes and changes in Procedure Manual.
* Attend online educational programs for staff development as requested or assigned by the Circulation Manager.
* Other duties assigned as needed.

Qualifications/Requirements
* High School Diploma or General Education Degree (GED), some college preferred.
* Basic office skills (typing, filing, answering phones, etc.).
* Previous experience working in library with computerized systems (preferred).
* Customer service skills
* Basics knowledge and use of computers, e-mail, and the internet. Knowledge of Microsoft Office

Physical Demands:
While performing the duties of this position, the employee is frequently required to sit; walk; stand; bend at the waist while working; kneel, stoop, crouch or squat; talk or hear; handle and lift up to 25 pounds; push a cart of books that weighs up to 125 pounds; and sit at a computer terminal for up to 4 hours at a time. Occasionally, the employee will need to work with arms above shoulders or reach above shoulder height. The specific vision requirements for this position are as follows:
* Close vision.
* Color vision.
* Ability to read and alphabetize and place items in numeric order.

The following background checks are required:
* Pennsylvania State Police Request for Criminal Records Check
* Department of Public Welfare Child Abuse History Clearance
* Federal Criminal History Record Information

Hours:
Tuesdays from 2 P.M. to 8 P.M.
Thursdays from 2 to 5 PM
First Saturday of Every Month from 9 to 5 PM
Occasional fifth Saturday

Salary: $14.50/hour

Submit cover letter and resume to:
Christine Wrage
Circulation Manager and Volunteer Coordinator
Phoenixville Public Library
183 Second Avenue, Phoenixville, PA 19460-3243
E-mail to cwrage@ccls.org
Phone: 610-933-3013 ext. 125

The Phoenixville Public Library is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All employees and qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religious belief, sex, age, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, genetic information or any other category protected by the law.

PHOENIXVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY

Job Description – Development Director

Updated: April 13, 2026

Position Title: Development Director

Reports To: Executive Director, Phoenixville Public Library, but is responsible to the Phoenixville Public Library Board of Trustees

Job Summary

Supports the strategic and tactical goals and objectives of the Phoenixville Public Library. Organizes, directs and implements fundraising functions and activities including, but not limited to, annual appeals, signature fundraising events, planned giving, and building the endowment. Prepares grants and manages time lines for grant applications. Maintains a master data file for all prospects and donors. Works closely with the Library’s Executive Director to define and recommend fundraising policies and plans. It is expected that an annually updated development and marketing/public relations plan, created by the Development Director in collaboration with the Executive Director will establish the Library’s fundraising goals, objectives, and action steps and serve as the Development Manager’s working guide. These plans will be updated and shared quarterly with the Phoenixville Public Library Board of Trustees.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Development of the Library’s annual development plan in cooperation with the ExecutiveDirector
• Regular review and support of the development plan goals and objectives in keeping with the Library’s short- and long-range strategic plan
• Regular review and support of the PR/Marketing plan goals and objectives in keeping with the Library’s short- and long-range strategic goals
• Full participation as cultivator and solicitor of major gift prospects
• Complete special projects as assigned by the Executive Director
• Provide scheduling details for events, programs, grant submissions, annual appeals, newsletters and other development related activity for the Library Board of Trustees
• Outreach within and outside the community

Fund Development

The Development Director is responsible for strengthening and expanding financial support for the Library by the planning, organization, coordination and management of essential fund-raising functions.

• Establish short- and long-range goals for unrestricted funding sources
• Implement, monitor and maintain goals, objectives, time lines and other management activities related to the Library’s annual, capital, research, stewardship, and planned giving programs
• Research public and private granting sources (agencies, corporations and foundations) to identify sources of funding, maintain grant deadlines, pending and completed grants along with monies received
• Maintain all donor records including data entry and acknowledgment of gifts, guiding administration of deferred and planned gifts and execution of the Library’s stewardship efforts
• Ongoing review and cultivation of donors of all levels to the Library
• Full participation as a cultivator and solicitor of major gift prospects in collaboration with the Library’s key volunteers, the Foundation board and the Library Board of Trustees
• Develop and advance training for volunteers and staff in the area of fund development, as needed
• Produce written reports, including financial and statistical reports and make oral presentations to the Library staff, board and community, as needed and/or directed
• Ensure that all Library fund-raising activities are carried out in accordance with all regulatory and legislative standards and guidelines.

Public Relations and Marketing

Designs and coordinates events/public relations activities that directly complement and enhance the Library’s fund-raising program under the overall direction/review of the Executive Director.Responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following essential functions:

• Create a marketing and public relations plan to be established each year
• Work with volunteers to plan and execute the Library’s signature annual event and its related cultivation activities
• Develop all fund-raising related communications including the following: annual report, case statement and related collateral materials such as brochures and newsletters
• Under the overall direction and review of the Executive Director,coordinate media relations and external communications for Library development and fundraising. Coordinate appropriate aspects of communications with PR/marketing consultants
• Maintain the Library’s social media outlets, such as Facebook, X, Instagram, and Other relevant social media outlets.
• Offers assistance to the Library Foundation as needed.
• All other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required, in nonprofit development, business, marketing, communications, or other related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of progressive professional fundraising experience. Preferably nonprofit and/or library related.
• Thorough understanding of all components of diversified funding sources.
• Verifiable proficiency in partnership-building and event planning skills
• Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills
• Accurate and detail-oriented with the ability to complete work in a timely manner
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, and with a diverse group of people as part of a team including co-workers, board members, and community partners.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Excellent organizational and problem-solving skills
• Basic computer literacy skills including Microsoft365and Adobe.
• Working knowledge of donor management software.

Preferred Skills,Knowledge and Experience

• Master’s degree in marketing, business, or communications.
• Experience working or volunteering in a public Library.
• Knowledge of Phoenixville and surrounding areas

Work Expectations

• Full-time Exempt position (35 hours per week)
• Evening and weekend hours as required for meetings and community events
• On-site presence required, limited remote work opportunity
• Ability to travel to meetings, trainings, and offsite meetings as needed.

Additional Information

• This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of duties and responsibilities.
• Additional tasks may be assigned as organizational needs evolve.
• Phoenixville Public Library is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace.

The following background checks are required:

• Pennsylvania State Police Request for Criminal Records Check
• Department of Public Welfare Child Abuse History Clearance
• Federal Criminal History Record Information
• Act 26 Child Abuse Recognition and Reporting Training

Hours and Pay:

• This is a full-time exempt position.
• The salary is commiserated with experience, starting at $60,000, plus benefits.
• Equal Opportunity Employer

Submit cover letter and resume to:

Lara Lorenzi, Executive Director

Phoenixville Public Library

183 Second Avenue, Phoenixville, PA 19460-3243

or by e-mail to llorenzi@ccls.org

A drop box for mail-in and absentee ballots for the May 20th Primary Election will be available outside the Library beginning Tuesday, May 6. For important instructions and ballot box hours, visit https://www.chesco.org/4758/Ballot-Drop-Off-Locations. For all voting related questions, contact Chester County Voter Services at https://www.chesco.org/156/Voter-Services or 610-344-6410.

The Chester County League of Women Voters has produced a “Non-Partisan Voters Guide” to the November 5 election.  Copies are available for in-Library use only at the Adult Circulation Desk and the Information Desk.

The Library has expanded its two-for-one media rental deal to Thursdays! Now you can rent two feature DVDs, audiobooks, or videogames for $2.00 on Tuesdays AND Thursdays!  Call 610-933-3013 x121 for more information.

Phoenixville Public Library has been designated a drop-off location for mail-in ballots for the November 3rd election.  The ballot boxes will not arrive at the Library until Tuesday, October 13.  Please do not drop off ballots at the Library and do not place them in the book drops.

Contact Chester County Voter Services with any questions on voting at 610-344-6410 or https://chesco.org/elections.  Thank you!

Since you can’t browse the Library’s shelves right now, we can do it for you! Fill out this form or call 610-933-3013 x132 to receive a surprise book bundle for checkout at the Library with your Chester County Library System card. Library staff will select 4 books for you from the Adult Library’s fiction or nonfiction sections. See our website for more information on this free service.

Looking for more great reads? Enjoy surprises? Want to support your favorite Library? Purchase a Book Surprise Bag! For $3.00, you can take home 3 books selected for you at random from the Library’s book sale carts. You CAN ask for books from a specific genre — like mystery/thriller, science fiction, biography, etc., but otherwise, it’s a surprise! So ask for a Book Surprise Bag on your next visit to the Library!