BOOK CENTER DIRECTOR
POSITION SUMMARY: The Book Center Director is a full-time, exempt position that works to promote and support Woodland Pattern’s mission through the ongoing care and development of its unique collections of poetry and small-press literature. This position reports to the Managing Director.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Serve as the Primary Curator and Caretaker of the Book Center and Libraries
- Combine vision with pragmatism to ensure effective upkeep and continuous development of collections
- Identify, order, and receive titles that align with Woodland Pattern’s mission and support its programs
- Nurture relationships with small presses and fine-press publishers, regional libraries, and other institutional partnerships
- Remain knowledgeable about poetry, contemporary literature, and small-press publishing through reading and research
Lead Book Center Volunteers, Interns, and Fellows
- Provide training, guidance, oversight, support, and recognition
- Assign and supervise tasks—such as shelving, receiving, shipment preparation, overstock chores, data entry projects, tasks related to annual inventory count, book center displays, and front desk duties—keeping in mind both organizational needs and individual skill sets and preferences
Manage Inventory & Online Store
- Fulfill and ship orders purchased online, responding to customer queries as needed
- Ensure clean text and data for all site pages, while adhering to in-house guidelines
- Update landing page and create special collections in honor of designated identity recognition and cultural heritage months (i.e., Black History Month, Pride Month, etc)
- Lead efforts on Woodland Pattern’s annual inventory count and reconciliation
- Monitor inventory platform for system updates and ensure they are made
Steward Financial Accounts Related to the Book Center
- Ensure book orders remain within budget
- Maintain monthly Accounts Payable for book bills, and deliver payable invoices to Managing Director on a monthly basis
- Similarly, maintain monthly Accounts Receivable for library and institutional orders, invoicing and following up if payments are overdue
- Receive books on invoice or consignment, track consignment sales, and ensure regular consignment payouts to authors
- Keep orderly physical and digital files
Contribute to Woodland Pattern’s Collective Environment and Collaborative Projects
- Assist in community, off-site, and special events, and other staff-wide efforts
- Tend to public interactions, phone calls, and voicemails during operating hours
- Share weekend and evening hours with other Woodland Pattern staff, and help open and close center
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:
- Extensive knowledge of and passion for contemporary American poetry
- Knowledge of small-press publications and publishers, past and present
- Experience working in a library or bookstore; with a small press or literary journal; or for a nonprofit literary arts organization
- Graduate degree in creative writing, literature, book arts, library studies, or related field
- Backgrounds of study in Native American literature, and/or African American, Asian American, Latinx, and/or Queer literatures a plus
- Must possess excellent writing and editorial skills
ACCESSIBILITY: This position requires some physical activity. The selected candidate must be able to lift up to 40 lbs, navigate a bookshelf ladder, and sit for extended periods of time while working on a computer.
SALARY: Starting at $50,000 with opportunity for advancement.
BENEFITS: Health, dental/eye, long- and short-term disability, and life insurance covered at nearly 100%. Retirement plan with 3% match; generous discount on books, as well as an annual book allowance.
LEAVE: 2 personal days, 10 vacation days, and up to 12 sick days per calendar year. Additional 5 days of leave available for bereavement. Woodland Pattern offers all staff seven observed holidays, as well as a one-week summer break and time off annually between Christmas and New Year’s. Observed religious holidays will be accommodated. Vacation leave increases with service.
LOCATION: In person at Woodland Pattern in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: November 30, 2026.
START DATE: Flexible. A relocation allowance will be available if needed.
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS: Interested applicants may apply online via Submittable. (Applications submitted on LinkedIn will not be considered!) Please include a cover letter and a resume, and ensure that two letters of reference are submitted to [email protected]. Questions may also be directed to [email protected]. No calls please.
To view the full call and/or apply, please visit https://woodlandpattern.submittable.com/...
Woodland Pattern is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Women, people of color, and those who identify as LGBTQ+ are strongly encouraged to apply.