Director Of The A. Frank Smith, Jr. Library Center

Southwestern University

Director of the A. Frank Smith, Jr. Library Center

Southwestern University invites applications for the position of Director of the A. Frank Smith, Jr. Library Center. Reporting to the Vice President for Academic Affairs, the Library Director provides strategic leadership and a student-centered vision, within a liberal arts and sciences setting, for all aspects of library operations. Alongside a staff dedicated to undergraduate education, the Library Director collaborates with faculty to support the academic mission of the University through the library's exceptional holdings, services, and learning environments. In a period of change in higher education and in particular in the sector of liberal arts colleges, the Director will have the opportunity to explore new and innovative paths for managing the collection, collaborating with Library staff (which numbers approximately 15), and promoting the user experience. The A. Frank Smith, Jr. Library Center houses one of the area's finest college libraries, with more than 300,000 catalogued volumes and periodical subscriptions. The Library's Distinctive Collections and Archives include the papers of the late Senator John Goodwin Tower (a Southwestern alumnus), the Clark Texana Collection, and the J. Frank Dobie and Bertha McKee Dobie Collections, both of whom were Southwestern alumni. In keeping with Southwestern University's commitment to diversity, the search committee is especially interested in attracting candidates from underrepresented minority groups, particularly those with a demonstrated commitment to enhancing diversity and inclusion.

Primary responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• In collaboration with the Vice President for Academic Affairs, establish and implement the strategic direction for Library operations to align with the University's vision, mission, and core values.

• Meet regularly with the leadership team as the supervisor of the Library's four areas: Research and Instruction; Operations; Discovery Services; and Distinctive Collections, Archives, and Digital Initiatives.

• Assess ongoing services, programs, and facilities and, in collaboration with the Vice President for Academic Affairs, determine next steps for improvement..

• Develop and manage the Library budget.

• Advocate for Library enhancements including services, collections, emerging technologies, personnel, and facilities.

• Demonstrate a dedication to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging within a leadership capacity.

• Recruit, train, develop, and evaluate Library personnel.

• Facilitate planning for library technology needs by collaborating with Information Technology staff to identify and implement innovative and emerging library technologies for faculty and students.

• Coordinate communication to the faculty and campus community about library operations and initiatives.

• Seek grant opportunities in support of the Library.

• Establish and maintain strong consortia relationships in support of library services.

• Direct and shape a program of instruction activities focused on the use of Library resources and technology to produce scholarly work across the curriculum, and integrated with University-wide programmatic efforts such as First-Year/ Advanced-Entry Seminar and Paideia.

• Actively participate in the library's research services and instruction program.

• Serve on appropriate University governance committees.

• Perform duties as assigned by supervisor.

Position Requirements:

• MLS degree (or equivalent) from an ALA-accredited library program

• At least eight years of professional library experience in an academic setting, including five years of experience in a management-level position with multiple reporting lines.

• Understanding and commitment to a liberal arts education, including the ability to relate to a liberal arts faculty.

• Record of success in leading library staff effectively and fostering a positive team-based working environment.

• Significant experience in financial planning and budget administration.

• Demonstrated advocacy of the role of the library in meeting the evolving needs of campus constituencies.

• Experience seeking, writing, and administering grants.

• Direct experience with students in a teaching or research role.

• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.

• Demonstrated record of innovation while appreciating traditional library services.

Preferred Position Requirements:

• Prior experience (administrative and/or academic) in a small, liberal arts institution.

• Additional advanced degree.

Southwestern University is a selective, undergraduate institution committed to a broad-based liberal arts, sciences, and fine arts education. Southwestern currently enrolls approximately 1,500 students and maintains a student to faculty ratio of 12 : 1. In addition to a number of other national organizations, Southwestern University is a member of two consortia of liberal arts colleges, the Associated Colleges of the South and the Annapolis Group. Located in Georgetown, Texas, 28 miles north of downtown Austin, Southwestern is affiliated with The United Methodist Church. Southwestern University is committed to fostering a diverse education environment and encourages applications from members of groups traditionally under-represented in academia. For information concerning the University, visit our Website at www.southwestern.edu. Information about the Library is also available at www.southwestern.edu/library-and-it/.

Southwestern University offers competitive salary and benefits including health, dental, life, long term disability, retirement, paid holidays, vacation, sick leave, undergraduate tuition assistance for yourself and your dependents, access to athletic facilities, free parking and discounted meal rates. Southwestern University is a selective, undergraduate institution committed to a broad-based liberal arts, sciences, and fine arts education. Southwestern University is deeply committed to fostering a diverse educational environment and especially encourages applications from members of groups traditionally under-represented in academia. For information concerning the University, visit our Web site at www.southwestern.edu.

To apply: The University will only accept application materials through Interfolio at apply.interfolio.com/139564. Interested candidates should submit a letter of interest, resume, and the names and contact information of three professional references. Additionally, candidates should respond to the following prompt in 500 words or less: What is the role of the library on an undergraduate, residential, liberal arts and sciences campus? Review of applications will begin on March 1 and will continue until the position is filled. Email and paper applications will not be accepted. Only completed applications will be reviewed by the Search Committee. All offers of employment are contingent on successful completion of the University's Background Check Policy process. Southwestern University is an E-Verify employer. EOE/M/F

Inclusion is the deliberate effort to create an environment in which people from all backgrounds* are not only included but welcomed, valued, respected, considered, and supported within our community. People from marginalized (i.e., devalued) and/or minoritized (i.e, underrepresented) groups are heard, seen, respected and accepted in all aspects of our community. Southwestern University is committed to inclusive excellence that provides access and support, enables participation, and removes barriers so that all people within our community are empowered and can thrive in a campus that is welcoming and validating.

• including but not limited to people of color (race, ethnicity, nationality), sex, sexual identity, gender identity, age, physical and mental disabilities, socioeconomic status, religion, immigrants, and the intersection of these identities.

Jeanne Clery Statement: Notice of Availability of Annual Security and Fire Safety Report- Southwestern University Annual Safety and Fire Report is available online at https://www.southwestern.edu/life-at-southwestern/safety-security/annual-security-reports/ containing mandated information about current campus policies concerning safety and security issues, required statistics, and other related information for the past three calendar years. To obtain a paper copy of the report, please call 512-863-1435.