Director of Digital Scholarship & Public Services

The Director of Digital Scholarship and Public Services will provide vision and leadership for programs and services including digital scholarship, research services, instruction, outreach, and access services to support expanding modes of research, teaching, and scholarly communication. The Director leads a cross-functional team to develop and lead an effective digital scholarship program including curricular based projects, independent research, internships and external grants. The Director will partner with the College community to provide support for digital scholarship including grant writing and project management. The Director will serve on the Library Planning Team and work collaboratively to advise the College Librarian on strategy, budgets, and program development.

Qualifications:

1. Master’s degree in library or information science required from an ALA-accredited program. Minimum of seven yrs experience in academic library management with a focus on digital scholarship or public services. An equivalent combination of degree and experience will be considered. Knowledge of emerging digital technologies and an understanding of how technology has and continues to transform academic libraries, digital scholarship and teaching. Demonstrated commitment to undergraduate research, teaching and learning. Demonstrated skills in strategic planning, project planning, implementing and assessing academic library programs and services. A successful record of progressively responsible experience in employee development, change management and team building, including a demonstrated commitment to building and supporting diverse and inclusive employees. Demonstrated skills and expertise using emerging technologies to deliver successful digital scholarship projects. Demonstrated ability to learn, experiment, and advance skills to meet challenges associated with emerging technologies and changing needs of the unit. Ability to liaise with campus departments and the wider community to create a public presence for the library.  Excellent communication skills both orally and in writing. Evidence of effectiveness in librarianship, as well as scholarly activity and professional services Experience with grant writing, public outreach and project management. A successful record of working collaboratively with library colleagues, faculty, administrators, staff and students to accomplish goals.  Must be safety conscious, able to work with a diverse group of individuals and promote these ideals with department employees.

Responsibilities:

1. Lead, manage and assess all digital scholarship and public services functions of the library. Develop and implement goals and objectives for the public services department and assess results. Responsible for coordinating public services staff and units to develop policies and procedures and to provide users with cohesive services. Lead cross-functional team to identify, develop, manage and assess digital scholarship projects.  In partnership with ITS Learning Technologies and Environments, the Writing Center and other campus partners, expand and strengthen the teaching role and educational impact of the library as an academic partner on campus. Develop an assessment program that continually informs services and workflows to improve and measure the effectiveness of programs and services. Collaborate with the College Librarian, Director of Content and Digital Library Services and Director of Special Collections and Archives to set strategic direction for the library, develop policies and budgets, coordinate programs, services and effective workflows. Lead the adoption of innovative services and emerging technologies to develop effective and sophisticated public services programs and services. Hire, develop, evaluate and mentor a diverse group of library employees. Contribute to campus committees and attend campus events to cultivate relationships supporting the Library’s mission to enrich the academic experience. Pursue grant opportunities and assist with College Relations to help develop library events, exhibitions, and foster donor relations. Represent the College regionally and nationally in consortia and associations and plan for continued professional development through active engagement in related professional organizations. Stay current with library trends through literature, social media, attending conferences, networking and professional development.  Conducts research to meet requirements of position and promotion.

We offer exceptional benefits including:

• Generous Vacation, Sick and Personal Time
• Winter Recess Break in Addition to Paid Holidays
• Healthcare, Dental, and Vision Insurance (Flexible Spending and Dependent Care Accounts)
• Free On-Campus Fitness Facility Access and Discounts for On-Campus Wellness Programs
• Employee Scholarships toward Certifications, Seminars, Training and Professional Development
• Pre and Post Tax participation in a 403(b) Retirement Plan
• Salary Continuation Program in the event of Disability
• Tuition Assistance Program for Employee, Spouse and/or Dependents

Note: All new hires of Union College are subject to a thorough education, work experience, and criminal history background check.

Union College

Officially chartered in 1795, Union College is the fifth oldest liberal arts college in the country. Located in the Capital District of New York State, Union is a highly selective residential and undergraduate college, home to 2,200 students and 220 faculty, and offering 44 majors. Union was the first liberal arts college to rethink the traditional liberal arts education and adopt an engineering curriculum. That pioneering approach continues today with an education that encourages students to work beyond the limits of disciplinary boundaries, allowing them to think globally and lead innovatively in a world where problem solving requires breadth across humanities, arts, social sciences, science, and engineering.

Diversity at Union College

Union College is an equal opportunity employer and strongly committed to student and workforce diversity. Increasing diversity on campus is a critical priority for Union, one that is integral to our mission of preparing students for a globally interconnected world. Union provides a blend of intellectual, social and cultural opportunities to facilitate the integrated academic, social and personal development of a diverse community. We value and are committed to a host of diverse populations and cultures including, but not limited to, those based on race, religion, disability, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national origin and veteran status. Union College is committed to providing access and will provide reasonable accommodation in its application process to individuals with disabilities that request such accommodations.

Non-Discrimination Policy

Union College will not discriminate in the recruitment or selection of faculty and employees, or in any other area of employment, on the basis of age, sex, race, national origin, religion, religious belief, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression and veteran status. In this regard, opportunities for advancement will be made available without bias. The College is also subject to state and federal laws, supports efforts to attract and retain fully qualified women and other minority group members for faculty and other positions. Union College will comply with the letter and intent of all State and Federal laws and applicable orders pursuant to Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action.