Director of Research Support and Instruction - Connecticut College

Director of Research Support and Instruction - Information Services at Connecticut College, a merged organization of Information Technology and Libraries, is seeking an enthusiastic and creative librarian leader who is excited by the opportunities of the profession and wants to bring vision and energy to serving the students, faculty and staff of an outstanding liberal arts college library. The position is responsible for providing leadership for all public services aspects of library operations including reference and other research support services, including access services, library instructional activities and outreach. The position provides vision, planning, and management for the Research Support and Instruction Team, serves on the Information Services Leadership Team, and reports to the Vice President for information Services and Librarian of the College. RESPONSIBILITIES: Duties of the position include the development, management, and assessment of research support and instruction programs, including reference services, digital services, access services, and the information literacy program at the college, all in collaboration with librarians, faculty members and other stakeholders in the campus community. The position helps develop and model pedagogically sound instructional methods and outreach to students and faculty and to promote the use of instruction and research support services. The position has responsibility for assessing research support needs, and helps design, develop, deliver and administer effective programs, services, and resources, including identification and implementation of Web 2.0 and other digital technologies to enhance research support and library instruction. Access Services includes circulation, reserves, and interlibrary loan services, along with management of the collection in the Charles E. Shain Library. The position has oversight of the library reference collection including government documents; advocates for scholarly communications issues; and participates in the library's departmental liaison program. She or he will work closely with the Director of Information Resources who directs the collection development responsibilities of the Research Support and Instruction Librarians. The Director of Research Support and Instruction will be a creative, enthusiastic, user-focused, and forward-looking librarian manager and leader committed to undergraduate education and the active support of faculty and student research. The successful candidate will create and maintain an environment that will enable staff to participate and contribute appropriately to meeting the goals of the organization. She or he will foster effective working relationships within Information Services and collaborative work with other campus groups. She or he will exercise the full range of supervisory responsibilities over a staff of 12, including 6 librarians. As a member of the Information Services Leadership Team, the Director of Research Support and Instruction plays a leading role in all aspects of department-wide planning, budgeting, operations, policy development, communications, and can expect to work closely with the heads of other units, as well as with many of the major offices on campus. She or he is encouraged and supported to engage in the profession broadly through scholarly activities and in national and regional professional organizations. QUALIFICATIONS: Required: ALA-accredited Masters degree in library or information studies; minimum 5-10 years of current, successful, and increasingly responsible reference and instruction experience in an academic library; effective supervisory experience, administrative effectiveness, and demonstrated ability to lead projects to completion as a team leader; understanding of teaching methods, instructional program planning and design, and assessment of instructional methods and outcomes; knowledge of pedagogy and research methods; familiarity with established and emerging instructional technologies; knowledge of reference and research sources, issues, and trends; demonstrated ability to work collegially and productively with colleagues and a diverse user community; excellent oral and written communication, interpersonal, and organization skills; strong commitment to public services and to building faculty and student relationships in a liberal arts college environment. Preferred: MA or Ph.D. in a related academic field in addition to the MLS; experience working with campus-wide information literacy initiatives; background in instructional and/or curriculum development and design. SALARY: Salary will be commensurate with experience and qualifications. APPLICATION PROCEDURES: Please send a cover letter, resume and contact information for three professional references electronically to gay.buths (at) conncoll.edu or if necessary, mail to Connecticut College, Office of Human Resources, 270 Mohegan Avenue, New London, CT 06320. Connecticut College is actively engaged in diversifying its staff and faculty. Review of applications will begin March 30, 2009 with an anticipated start date during the summer of 2009. AA/EOE.