Director of Library Services & Operations
Institution
Job Summary
POSITION: Director of Library Services & Operations
DEPARTMENT: B. D. Owens Library
REPORTS TO: Associate Provost and Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences
CLASSIFICATION: Staff
FLSA STATUS: Exempt
EMPLOYMENT TERMS: 12-month, Full time position
​POSITION SUMMARY: The Director provides innovative and strategic leadership for all functions of library services and operations in collaboration with other academic units and in support of the student-centered mission of Northwest Missouri State University. The Director develops, manages, and directs programs and services that facilitate student learning and scholarly endeavors in a regional university with over 125 undergraduate and 40 graduate academic programs. This position serves as a learning support advocate and resource for students, faculty, and staff by directing a full-service university library with state-of-the-art services and resources focused on exceptional patron service and responsiveness to patron needs.
B. D. OWENS LIBRARY: The mission of B. D. Owens library is to promote and support the evolving scholarship, learning, and educational practices of the Northwest Missouri State University community. As a learning center constantly attentive to evolving needs, the library anticipates change, proactively adapts to meet all learning needs, and fosters curiosity, exploration, and diversity. B. D. Owens Library facilitates intellectual growth by providing relevant research collections, tools, services, and inclusive spaces. The library collection and services support scholarly research and provide current information that promotes institution-wide learning outcomes concerning valuing, managing information, communication, critical thinking, inclusion, teamwork, and leadership.
The library’s website provides access to materials for currently enrolled students, faculty and staff through the library’s robust catalog of print and digital media as well as access to numerous databases. Through the EBSCOhost platform, eBooks are available with additional access to more items through the statewide catalog maintained by the MOBIUS consortium of libraries. Interlibrary loan service is available for additional materials. The librarians deliver assistance with research and citations through broad array of delivery methods, including chat, walk-in, e-mail, phone, guides and instructional sessions.
Primary Function of the Director: The Director innovates, coordinates, and directs all aspects of Northwest’s Library Services and Operations by understanding and building upon contemporary innovative approaches to student learning, academic programing, and faculty teaching and research. The director coordinates and inspires library staff leaders in delivering services that fulfill the mission, goals, and objectives of the Library. The Director is also responsible for overseeing operations of the Library facility and space utilization in collaboration with university partners in the Learning and Teaching Center, Student Success Center, International Involvement Center, and Information Technology.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
- Provide innovative and nimble leadership in developing resources, programs, and processes necessary to advance the goals of the library and strategic initiatives of the University.
- Cultivate team leaders in access services, collection development, and research services and guide the development of the staff within those units.
- Utilize a breadth and depth of knowledge and experience in higher education library services to advance innovative approaches in supporting diverse academic programs.
- Manage the design, implementation, and evaluation of campus-wide library programs and services for all students, faculty, and staff.
- Collaborate with University departments, faculty, and staff in providing resources and solutions to meet learning and research needs.
- Oversee the effective investment of library financial resources in materials, programs, and operations.
- Provide understanding and insight in supervising the University Archives and related university collections and the staff archivist.
- Oversee scheduling, space allocation, maintenance, emergency response, and access in the B.D. Owens Library facility. Provide leadership for planning for future development, refurbishment, or re-organization of the Library’s design, equipment, function, and utilization of space including learning spaces and collection organization.
- Serve on University and external regional consortium committees, working groups, task forces, & teams to provide leadership and cultivate collaboration.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Education: An American Library Association accredited Master’s degree in library science or information science and learning technologies
Experience: At least five years of experience as a librarian in higher education settings, with familiarity across all areas of library operations and a record of increasing responsibility in library management positions.
Skills: Strong human relations, verbal and written communication skills; strong organizational and analytical skills; ability to manage projects and design/implement/evaluate programs; a firm commitment to continuous improvement; knowledge of library services and software; and a clear, practical understanding of organizational dynamics and teamwork.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Education: Terminal degree in higher education administration, an academic field, educational leadership, developmental education, or a related field; or a second master’s degree in any area.
Experience: Ten or more years of increasing responsibility in an academic library setting across all areas of library operations; prior administrative experience including staff supervision, budget management, strategic planning, program development, and assessment/evaluation.
Skills: Knowledge and experience in strategic planning techniques, leadership theory, or organizational theory.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: This position supervises employees within Library Services and Operations.
WORKING CONDITIONS: This position will work in a typical office environment with some evening and weekend hours required. May be called in to address emergency needs in the Library.
EQUIPMENT/MATERIALS USED: Typical office equipment
TYPICAL PHYSICAL DEMANDS: Ability to lift up to 20 pounds.
COMMUNITY: Northwest Missouri State University is located in Maryville, Missouri, a community of 12,000 with a diverse economy, and a strong industrial base. Maryville is located 45 miles north of St. Joseph, Missouri and 90 miles north of Kansas City, Missouri. For more information visit the website at www.maryville.org.
UNIVERSITY: Founded in 1905, Northwest is a coeducational, primarily residential four-year university that offers a broad range of undergraduate and selected graduate programs on its Maryville campus as well as its Northwest-Kansas City location and through Northwest Online.
With an enrollment of about 6,500 students, Northwest has met all measures of the state’s performance-based funding initiative during four of the model’s first five years, and U.S. News and World Report has ranked it as the top moderately selective regional university in Missouri during three of the last four years. Safewise ranks the city of Maryville as one of the “Safest College Towns in America,” while BestCollegesOnline.org has named the Northwest campus one of the “50 Most Amazing University Botanical Gardens and Arboretums in the U.S.”
The University boasts a 59 percent graduation rate, which is in the 89th percentile of Northwest's national peer group. In addition, 96 percent of Northwest bachelor’s degree earners and 97 percent of master’s degree earners secure employment or continue their education within six months of graduation, according to the most recent data. Zippia, a career website, recently named Northwest the best college in Missouri for getting a job.
Northwest places a high emphasis on profession-based learning to help graduates get a jumpstart on their careers.
Students have opportunities to build their resumes with experiences on campus in nearly every area of study, including the Horace Mann Laboratory School, National Public Radio affiliate KXCV, the R.T. Wright Farm, Mozingo Outdoor Education Recreation Area or Knacktive, a student-driven integrated digital marketing communications agency.
For more information, visit www.nwmissouri.edu.
SALARY: Competitive, based on market.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: Review of applications will begin September 28 and continue until the position is filled.
DATE AVAILABLE: Fall 2018/Spring 2019 based on availability
TO APPLY: Please fill out a Northwest application online by clicking http://agency.governmentjobs.com/nwmissouri/default.cfm to reach our employment opportunities listing. You will also need to submit a cover letter, resume, and the names, addresses, and phone numbers of three references in order for your application materials to be complete. Please contact the Office of Human Resources at 660-562-1127 or email bbadger@nwmissouri.edu for more information.