College Librarian for Arts and Science

Job Description

College Librarian for Arts & Science, Jean & Alexander Heard Libraries

Vanderbilt University Libraries seeks an experienced and proactive College Librarian for Arts & Science, who will serve as a leader and ambassador, providing vision in delivering innovative and user-focused library services to faculty and students in the Vanderbilt College of Arts and Science. The College Librarian serves as the primary Vanderbilt Libraries contact with administrators in the College of Arts & Science, setting policies, procedures, and priorities for the library, and managing and allocating library budgets. The College Librarian works closely with colleagues in Access Services and other areas to evaluate and improve the user experience of the Central Library, the largest of the nine libraries in the Vanderbilt Libraries, and the flagship library building. The College Librarian develops and shares expertise in anti-racist, accessible and inclusive pedagogies and services and is expected to contribute to, and make tangible, the Library's commitment to the principles and values of inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility through their work and the work of the Library. This position also leads and participates in system-wide library committees or other strategic initiatives as an integral component of their responsibilities. Reporting to the Associate University Librarian for Teaching and Learning, the College Librarian supervises, mentors, and leads a diverse team of subject librarians for the humanities and social sciences that provide outreach and support for Vanderbilt faculty, students, and university staff in the areas of teaching and research.

The Jean and Alexander Heard Libraries are fundamental to the university’s goal of advancing scholarship and learning. We collect, preserve, and make accessible a wide variety of resources. We partner with faculty and students to shape research, and we encourage the development of informed scholars and engaged citizens.

At the hiring manager's request, it is strongly preferred that all applicants include a cover letter and resume/CV as part of their application materials when applying for this position.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide direction, leadership development, goal setting, and operational support for Arts & Science subject librarians and staff; communicate with a variety of library employees regarding the vision, mission, and future plans for library services.
• Serve as a mentor and leader for A&S librarians and library staff in the areas of teaching, research support, collection maintenance, and customer service, fostering a culture of belonging and collegiality across all departments.
• Serve as a primary Vanderbilt Libraries contact with administrators, faculty, staff and departments in the humanities and social science disciplines within the College of Arts and Science.
• In consultation with subject librarians, advise on library instruction initiatives, research support, and collection development in support of the A&S and interdisciplinary curricula.
• Facilitate communication between A&S librarians and Central Library Access Services staff regarding collection maintenance.
• In coordination with the Director of the Science and Engineering Library, meet & communicate regularly with the Dean and other administrative leaders in the College of Arts and Science.
• Advise on enhancements to library services and facilities in order to improve user experience, in conjunction with the Director of Library Facilities, members of the Campus Libraries Operational Group, colleagues in Access Services and Resource Sharing Services, and others
• Manage the budget for Central Library (A&S) operations, wages, and collections.
• Provide oversight for Library system-wide virtual reference services, developing best practices and a sustainable service model for the Vanderbilt community.
• Collaborate with other senior leaders on the Libraries’ strategic initiatives and priorities.
• Participate in strategic planning and policy development for the Vanderbilt Libraries.
• Exhibit a commitment to inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility in all aspects of their work.

Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in Library and Information Science from an ALA accredited institution is required.
• At least 7 years of experience in academic libraries is required.
• Educational background in arts, humanities, or social sciences disciplines is preferred.
• Experience managing professional librarians and staff is required.
• A record of leadership that includes commitment to and promotion of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility; and a demonstrated commitment to transparent and ethical decision making through consensus building is required.
• Experience teaching and presenting to a diverse set of learners including faculty and students is required.
• Evidence of outstanding communication skills, including the ability to synthesize information for non-library audiences is required.
• Familiarity with teaching information, digital, and data literacy skills on a college campus is required.
• Knowledge and/or interest in using emerging technologies to enhance the delivery of research instruction & information services is required.
• Facility with the technologies of digital scholarship and current trends in library technology is required.
• Evidence of collaborative decision-making style, empathy, and team orientation is required.
• Evidence of the ability to work both independently and collaboratively in teams, and familiarity managing multiple priorities in a changing environment is required.
• Evidence of an aptitude for thinking creatively is required.
• Candidates should evidence an understanding of emerging challenges facing academic librarianship, including managing the transition from print to digital materials, storage of and access to print collections, the librarian’s changing role in the research cycle and keeping pace with technological advances while inculcating information literacy to a born-digital generation.
• Knowledge of current research tools and issues including open access, research impact, and data visualization is preferred.

Please apply online at:
https://ecsr.fa.us2.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX/requisitions/preview/10003407

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
At Vanderbilt University, we are intentional about and assume accountability for fostering advancement and respect for equity, diversity, and inclusion for all students, faculty, and staff. Our commitment to diversity makes us who we are. We have created a community that celebrates differences and lets individuality thrive. As part of this commitment, we actively value diversity in our workplace and learning environments as we seek to take advantage of the rich backgrounds and abilities of everyone. The diverse voices of Vanderbilt represent an invaluable resource for the University in its efforts to fulfill its mission and strive to be an example of excellence in higher education.

Vanderbilt University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. Women, minorities, people with disabilities and protected veterans are encouraged to apply.

Please note, all candidates selected for an offer of employment are subject to pre-employment background checks, which may include but are not limited to, based on the role for which they have been selected: criminal history, education verification, social media review, motor vehicle records, credit history, and professional license verification.

About Us
Vanderbilt is a community of talented and diverse staff & faculty!

At Vanderbilt University, our work - regardless of title or role - is in service to an important and noble mission in which every member of our community serves in advancing knowledge and transforming lives on a daily basis. Located in Nashville, Tennessee, on a 330+ acre campus and arboretum dating back to 1873, Vanderbilt is proud to have been named as one of “America’s Best Large Employers” as well as a top employer in Tennessee and the Nashville metropolitan area by Forbes for several years running. We welcome those who are interested in learning and growing professionally with an employer that strives to create, foster and sustain opportunities as an employer of choice through:

• Working and growing together as a community of communities... we are One Vanderbilt.
• Providing a work environment where every staff and faculty member can be their authentic and best self, while providing the resources and opportunities to learn and grow.
• Encouraging development, collaboration, and partnership both internally and externally while fostering the value that every member of the Vanderbilt community can lead and grow regardless of title or position.

We understand you have a choice when choosing where to work and pursue a career. We understand you are unique and have a story. We want to hear it. We encourage you to apply today so that you might become a part of our story.

*********************************************************************************

Vanderbilt University has made the health and safety of our students, faculty and staff and our surrounding communities a top priority. As part of that commitment, the University requires all employees to (1) participate in any required on-campus COVID-19 testing protocol as may then be in effect, or (2) show proof of full vaccination against COVID-19.