Thursday, March 08, 2018

Director of Library Services - Eastern Connecticut State University

Director of Library Services - J. Eugene Smith Library, Eastern Connecticut State University. Eastern Connecticut State University, Connecticut's public liberal arts university, seeks a dynamic leader to become the Director of the J. Eugene Smith Library. Reporting to the Provost, the Library Director provides leadership to support the educational mission of the University.
     The Director of Library Services provides strategic direction for library service and is a visible and articulate advocate for initiatives that support the University's strategic plan. The Library Director collaborates with faculty, staff, students, and administrators to leverage the Library's presence and support for service to the University community. 
     The Director of Library Services must be a strong communicator, and a leader who will foster collaborative relationships internally, across campus, in the community, within the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities system, and with other institutions. The Director must possess excellent interpersonal skills and be able to work effectively within a culture of diversity and inclusion.
     The Library Director must possess a deep understanding of issues relevant to academic librarianship, including library technologies, information literacy, digital libraries, outcomes assessment, strategic planning, and scholarly communication and publishing.
     About the J. Eugene Smith Library: Built in 1998, the 127,000 square foot Smith Library is an inviting social and intellectual center of the campus. With shelving capacity for over a half million volumes, and seating capacity for 900, the library provides a modern, spacious, and well-equipped environment for student study and research. The library offers over 60 computers for student use, and has Wi-Fi throughout the building. The Library also houses a cafĂ©, and the Academic Services Center, as well as the Center for Instructional Technology. Twenty-six full time staff, supplemented by part-time staff, provide a welcoming and capable workforce to accomplish the library's service goals. Librarians are tenure track members of the University faculty.
     Major Responsibilities: Oversee all aspects of library administration including daily operations, strategic planning, budget planning, facilities management, collections stewardship, and assessment of library services and resources. Supervise, lead, inspire, support, evaluate and further develop a skilled, collaborative, service-oriented library faculty and staff that embraces change, innovation, and risk-taking. Provide strategic vision and direction, in collaboration with the library staff, for initiatives in support of the University's mission and goals, including resource sharing, preservation, coordinated collection development, scholarship, and student success. Represent the library, establish and maintain collaborative relationships across campus, in the community, within the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (CSCU) system, and with other institutions. Prepare annual and other reports on library operations.
     Requirements: Master's degree in library or information science from an American Library Association accredited program. Minimum seven years of experience in an academic or research library, with at least two years of library management experience including personnel evaluation. Record of service-oriented leadership and collaborative partnerships with various campus and professional constituencies. Evidence of scholarly or professional achievement. Evidence of a collaborative leadership style and the ability to develop and sustain productive and harmonious relationships with faculty, students, library staff, and colleagues. A record of supporting staff professional development.
     Desired: Additional advanced degree. Professional experience in a liberal arts college/university library. Experience managing in a collective bargaining environment.
     Special Instructions to Applicant: Applicants should be prepared to upload a cover letter that addresses qualifications for the position and a CV. In addition, applicants should supply three letters of reference. All application materials should be submitted to librarysearch@easternct.edu. Review of completed applications will begin upon receipt and will continue until the position is filled.
     About Eastern Connecticut State University: Eastern Connecticut State University, the state's public liberal arts university serving approximately 5400 students, offers a wide range of undergraduate majors in the arts and sciences and professional studies, as well as selected graduate programs. Located in historic Windham County in the heart of eastern Connecticut, the University is midway between New York City and Boston and only a short drive from Hartford, the state capital. Eastern is a member of COPLAC and has been named one of the nation's "Great Colleges to Work for" by the Chronicle of Higher Education for the last seven years.
     Eastern Connecticut State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, age, gender, gender identity or expression, national origin, marital status, ancestry, present or past history of mental disorder, learning disability or physical disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information or criminal record. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Stacey Close, Associate Vice President for Equity and Diversity, 860-465-5791, closes@easternct.edu.