Dean of the Library

Summary

Trinity University seeks a visionary and collaborative leader to serve as Dean of the Elizabeth Huth Coates Library. As the intellectual crossroads of Trinity’s campus, the Coates Library strives to be a welcoming and inclusive place where scholars at every stage of development gather to learn, and learn from each other. However, the library is more than a building, more than its collections. It is a vital and active force in achieving the University’s commitment to nurturing curiosity and discovery, and advancing the frontiers of human knowledge. The Dean of the Library will collaborate with library faculty and staff, administration, and campus stakeholders to develop plans and strategies that ensure the Coates Library will remain an indispensable resource for the Trinity community and a model of service innovation for other libraries to follow.

The academic library landscape for small liberal arts and sciences institutions offers both opportunities and challenges for its leaders. The next Dean will provide supervision and advocacy at a pivotal time in the library’s history:

Change in University Leadership: With the selection of Provost Megan Mustain in 2021 and new University President Vanessa B. Beasley in 2022, the next Dean will join these leaders in shaping and setting the course toward the Trinity of tomorrow.

Planned Renovation: The 43-year-old library building has seen significant change in recent years to adapt to campus needs and objectives. The next Dean will play a crucial role to plan and prepare for the renovation of the building (scheduled for 2028).

Staff Hiring and Support: At a time when many academic libraries and institutions across the country face an altered hiring and retention landscape, and as we continue to interrogate the limited diversity of librarianship as a profession, the Dean will continue to play a critical role in developing and maintaining an exceptional team of staff members and librarians.

Budget and Resource Management: With its strong endowment and the conscientious and conservative management of its financial resources, Trinity University and its library stand poised to navigate and innovate at times when most educational institutions face crippling financial challenges. The Dean will be a partner, leader, and advocate in the continuing wise stewardship of the library’s financial and informational resources.

Serves as the executive administrator of Trinity University’s Coates Library with responsibility for advancing the university’s mission by supporting the quest for new knowledge through scholarship, dissemination of knowledge through teaching and outreach and relative experimentation of ideas and concepts. Responsible for all aspects of library operations.

Schedule

Maintaining and satisfying minimum attendance requirements are an essential requirement of this position.

Duties and Responsibilities

Essential duties and responsibilities will include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Provides strategic management and administration of the library, including setting short- and medium-term objectives, supervision of staff and oversight of the library building. Establishes meaningful, measurable goals, assesses outcomes on an annual basis and develops a culture of accountability among direct reports. Supports the library’s contribution to student success by advocating for and participating in the enhancement of information literacy learning at Trinity. Oversees the provision of information sources in a variety of formats that aim to support the information needs of the Trinity community. Prepares the annual budget and bears responsibility for its effective and strategic use. Monitors financial and managerial reporting and makes sound fiscal decisions to the benefit of the library and Trinity University. Recruits, develops, motivates and evaluates a library workforce in alignment with job expectations, professional roles and the University mission. Implements professional development opportunities for library faculty and staff. Provides oversight of the library’s promotion and tenure process for faculty librarians. Participates in other faculty responsibilities, including campus governance, outreach, and scholarly research. Fosters a culture of service in support of the university’s students, faculty, staff and the community. Fosters strong relationships with Trinity faculty members regarding library needs. Represents and advocates for the library by developing partnerships with other University departments (IT, Advancement, Strategic Communication, etc.). Fosters relationships with other academic libraries, consortia, and related peer groups through outreach and participation in local, regional and national organizations.

Additional Duties:

• Cooperates and collaborates with other employees in the spirit of teamwork and collegiality and interacts with confidence, patience and integrity to provide professional leadership. Complies with all Trinity University policies and guidelines. Performs other duties as required.

Supervision

Given:

• Director, through managers, of multiple departments. Direct Reports: 4 to 7 employees Indirect Reports: 20 to 35 employees

Received:

• Limited supervision. Operates independently in consultation with the Provost.

Experience

Required:

• 10 years of relevant library and academic experience Eligible for faculty rank at the level of Associate Professor or Professor based on a record of librarianship, scholarship, and service Demonstrated success in recruiting, leading and managing library staff Superb written, oral and interpersonal communication skills Demonstrated experience with budgeting, financial management and resource allocation Experience with and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives

Preferred:

• Successful fundraising experience Awareness of the unique position of small liberal arts and sciences institutions Demonstrated knowledge of Special Collections and Archives Experience with regional accreditation requirements

Skills

Computer Skills:

• Microsoft Office Suite Google Suite

Knowledge

Required:

• Knowledge of all facets of academic library operations Knowledge of trends and developments in the current library environment Knowledge of trends and development in higher education Demonstrated management skills Budgeting skills Ability to evaluate emerging technologies

Preferred:

• Knowledge or experience in library renovation projects

Education Requirements

Required:

• ALA accredited M.L.I.S.

Preferred:

• Additional Masters or Ph.D.

Physical Demands and Working Conditions

• Quiet environment

How to apply

Submit the following documentation to mpylant@trinity.edu.

A letter of application addressing the candidate’s interest in the position and qualifications relevant to the described duties/responsibilities and experience required above

A current Curriculum Vitae

The names and contact information for three professional references

A diversity statement responding to the following prompt: “Trinity University is committed to the value of intentional inclusion. Please provide a brief statement (250-500 words) describing your past efforts as well as your future plans to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion as part of your professional objectives.