Head of Libraries Systems

Head of Libraries Systems & Technologies - Search Extended
Search #67848
Georgia Southern University Libraries

Georgia Southern University Libraries invites applications and nominations for the position of Head of Libraries Systems & Technologies and tenure-track Associate Professor. The home campus for this position will be the Statesboro campus.

Georgia Southern University is a distinctive combination of Southern charm and uncompromising academics. We are a Carnegie Doctoral/R2 institution serving about 26,500 students through ten colleges on three beautiful oak-lined campuses in Statesboro, Savannah, Hinesville, and via a growing online program. Throughout its degree offerings at the associate's, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral levels, Georgia Southern cultivates community collaboration, world-class scholarship and hands-on learning opportunities.

Georgia Southern University was founded in 1906 as a school for teaching modern agricultural production techniques and homemaking skills to rural school children. Its Savannah campus was established in 1935 as Armstrong Junior College for local youth who could not afford to attend college away from home. The Liberty Center in Hinesville was established in 1998 to serve the military and their families at nearby Fort Stewart, the largest military base east of the Mississippi. All three locations came together in 2018 when Armstrong State University and Georgia Southern University consolidated. The "new" Georgia Southern University preserves a passion for serving its neighbors while preparing students for lifelong service as scholars, leaders, and responsible stewards of their communities.

Believing that diversity, equity, and inclusion contribute to excellence in the workplace and to the quality of the University's academic environment, Georgia Southern University is committed to recruiting and retaining diverse faculty and staff to support, promote, and serve a diverse student body and promote Inclusive Excellence. Candidates from historically underrepresented groups, whose work furthers the institution's Inclusive Excellence goals and who bring to campus varied life experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds are especially encouraged to apply.

Reporting to the Dean of University Libraries, the Head of Systems and Technologies will assist the Dean with establishing strategic directions for the Libraries' use of technologies to support operations and to provide students with access to new technologies. The department head supervises a staff of four who provide direct help to students with technology questions and desktop support for library faculty and staff. Overseeing the Libraries' web presence and making changes as needed, managing the Libraries' Alma & Primo Systems, and working closely with collection and access services are also among the primary responsibilities for this position. The department head is a member of the dean's senior leadership team that includes the associate deans and seven department heads at the Armstrong and Statesboro campuses.

Responsibilities:

• Sets strategic directions for the department and provides training and supervision to four staff members and a group of student assistants.
  
• Serves as a member of the Dean's Advisory Council and Leadership Team. Advises the dean and library leaders on technological and library systems issues.
  
• Collaborates with the University Information Technology Unit on technological issues that are applicable to the University Libraries.
  
• Oversees the desktop and laptop management of public and staff computers, systems software and hardware, operating systems, enterprise applications, printers and scanners, and requests for equipment selection and purchasing.
  
• Creates and maintains a University Libraries' Technology Plan to increase innovative technologies for library users and employees. Identifies potential funding opportunities.
  
• Assists the Libraries' departments with the selection, acquisition, and implementation of hardware and software in support of operational effectiveness and innovation.
  
• Collaborates with University System of Georgia GIL/GALILEO in developing and implementing projects pertaining to the integrated library system and other applications as needed.
  
• Administers integrated library system and other specialized library systems and software. Manages daily system operations, makes changes and updates to system configurations, troubleshoots problems, and creates requested reports.
  
• Gathers statistical data from Alma and other sources to support program accreditation, annual reports, gate counts, etc.
  
• Oversees operation and maintenance of the University Libraries' automated retrieval system, which stores 800,000 plus print volumes.
  
• Oversees the content and design of the University Libraries' website ensuring accuracy, currency, and web usability according to national and university standards. Leads the University Libraries' Website Committee.
  
• Performs other duties as assigned.
  
  This is a full-time, 12-month, tenure-track position at the rank of Associate Professor, and the salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience.
  
  Required Qualifications:
  
• MLS from an ALA-accredited program or close equivalent via education and work experience by August 1, 2021.
  
• Significant experience managing an ILS in an academic library setting and consulting with colleagues across the libraries to meet their technological and systems' needs.
  
• Three years minimum experience supervising staff.
  
• Excellent communications skills. Ability to communicate concisely and clearly across all levels and to external stakeholders in both written and verbal communications.
  
• Experience with project management, including budget management skills; the ability to quickly adapt to changing needs and priorities; and effective problem-solving and decision-making skills.
  
• Professional experience creating and maintaining usable and accessible web pages within a content management system.
  
• Evidence of ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships in a diverse work environment.
  
• Demonstrated ability to manage and lead multiple concurrent projects.
  
• Evidence of commitment to providing user-centered service to student, faculty, staff, and community members in an academic institution.
  
• A record of scholarship and service appropriate for the Associate Professor rank. Ability to meet the University's requirements for promotion and review, which include professional/scholarly contributions and service.
  
• Willingness to engage with institutional student success initiatives.
  
• Must be authorized to work in the United States for the duration of employment without
  assistance from the institution.
  
  Preferred Qualifications:
  
• Experience configuring and managing Alma and Primo systems. Advanced knowledge of Alma Analytics.
  
• Programming experience using one or more of the following: Perl, Python, Ruby, PHP, or Java.
  
• Demonstrated experience using APIs and web services for integration and data retrieval.
  
• Experience with Springshare products
  
• Experience constructing SQL queries, exporting data from systems, and processing data in Excel to create reports
  
• Familiarity with metadata standards, including but not limited to MARC
  
• Knowledge of authentication processes using Shibboleth and SAML
  
• Familiarity with maintaining SSL web certificates.
  
• Demonstrated ability to provide individual and group instruction on technical topics.
  
  Screening of applications begins August 9, 2021 and continues until the position is filled. The starting date is negotiable. To equitably serve a fast growing and highly diverse student body and to fulfill the University's commitment to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion, we actively seek candidates with a demonstrated commitment to Pillar 3 of our University Strategic Plan: Inclusive Excellence. A complete application consists of a letter addressing the qualifications cited above; a curriculum vitae; and the names, addresses, telephone numbers, and email addresses of at least three professional references. Other documentation may be requested. Only complete applications submitted electronically will be considered. Please include the search number #67848 in the email subject. Finalists will be required to submit to a background investigation. Applications and nominations should be sent to:
  
  Doug Frazier, Search Chair, Search #67848
  Georgia Southern University
  Electronic mail: drfrazier@georgiasouthern.edu
  Telephone: 912-344-2818
  
  More information about the institution is available through http://www.georgiasouthern.edu or https://library.georgiasouthern.edu/about/employment/ . The names of applicants and nominees, vitae, and other non-evaluative information may be subject to public inspection under the Georgia Open Records Act. Georgia Southern University provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, religion, age, veteran status, political affiliation, or disability. Individuals who need reasonable accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act to participate in the search process should notify Human Resources at 912-478-6947.
  
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