Dean of Libraries

Missouri University of Science and Technology invites applications from experienced and innovative university librarians for the position of Dean of Libraries. Serving as the chief administrator of the Curtis Laws Wilson Library, the Dean is an integral part of the academic community at Missouri S&T and provides strategic vision for Missouri S&T’s library services. As the institution grows enrollment and drives toward achieving an R1 Carnegie Classification by the year 2030, the Dean is tasked with developing and executing a vision for Missouri S&T’s library that aligns with broader institutional priorities while incorporating emerging trends in college and university libraries. The Dean of Libraries will report directly to the Provost and must partner routinely with academic deans, faculty, and other campus constituents to cultivate library resources and services that are commensurate with that of an R1 university. The Dean will also work to modernize Missouri S&T’s library operation and cultivate a library that is accessible and responsive to the needs of the campus community.

The Curtis Laws Wilson Library at Missouri S&T supports the teaching and research mission of the university through the creation, dissemination, use, and preservation of information. The library aims to serve as a community space that is conducive to both study and collaboration. With campus libraries serving the S&T community since 1871, the Curtis Laws Wilson Library first opened its doors in 1968. With 11 full-time staff members, the Missouri S&T library provides the campus community with access to a comprehensive collection of books, electronic databases, and archival materials. The library’s institutional repository, Scholar’s Mine, catalogues research activity from the Missouri S&T campus community and records over 1 million downloads annually. As one of four campuses within the University of Missouri System, the Missouri S&T library works collaboratively with system partners to obtain and curate cutting-edge scholarly resources.

Minimum qualifications for the Dean of Libraries position include a Master’s of Library and Information Science or equivalent terminal degree from an ALA-accredited institution, plus 10 years of relevant experience in library administration and leadership. Successful applicants to the Dean of Libraries role will exhibit a history of – or potential for – visionary leadership within academic library settings. Candidates must have considerable supervisory skills and experience with budget management and/or library operations. The ideal candidate will also exhibit the ability to serve as a positive change agent and successfully lead fundraising and capital projects on behalf of the library. Strong candidates will also demonstrate their experience in cultivating a student-centered library operation, an understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities related to library services at a STEM-forward research university, and an orientation toward enhancing accessibility, diversity, inclusion, and equity within academic library spaces.

Application Instructions

To apply, please submit a letter of application, curriculum vitae, and list of five professional references to: hrrecruit@mst.edu. Professional references will be contacted later in the process prior to any hiring decision and the university will not contact references without prior candidate authorization. All applications received by April 3, 2023 will receive full consideration.

Nominations and inquiries for this search may be directed to Andrew Crain (amcrain@mst.edu), Lead Recruitment Consultant with the University of Missouri System.

About Missouri S&T

Founded in 1870 as the Missouri School of Mines and Metallurgy, Missouri University of Science and Technology is one of the top STEM-focused institutions in the nation and one of the first technological learning institutions established west of the Mississippi River. A U.S. News and World Report Top 100 national public university, Missouri S&T serves over 7,000 students and counts over 55,000 living alumni, including world-famous astronauts, scientists, engineers, inventors, and business leaders. S&T has three colleges: the College of the Arts, Sciences, and Education; the College of Engineering and Computing; and the newly established Kummer College of Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Economic Development. Over 300 faculty offer 101 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in business, education, engineering, science, computing, social sciences, and the humanities.  In a recent study, 80 Missouri S&T researchers were cited as being among the top 2% in their field.

Today, Missouri S&T offers a unique constellation of comprehensive programs that build on the university’s rich history and continue to benefit Missouri, the nation, and the global community. The university has received numerous accolades in recent years, including the following:

• No. 1 public university in Missouri for return on investment (Georgetown’s Center on Education and Workforce, 2022)
• No. 1 best value public university in Missouri (SmartAsset, 2022)
• No. 5 Best College for Engineering Majors in the U.S. (Money, 2022)
• No. 7 graduate online engineering program for military veterans (U.S. News & World Report, 2022)
• No. 9 graduate online engineering program (U.S. News & World Report, 2022)
• No. 4 graduate online Industrial Organization program (Forbes, 2023)

A philanthropic gift of $300 million from alumnus Fred Kummer and his wife June has spurred new faculty endowments, research centers, and STEM education and outreach initiatives. These investments have been further leveraged through subsequent public and private funding, with exciting initiatives such as the Missouri Protoplex Facility being planned to support advanced manufacturing research and economic development throughout the region. Missouri S&T’s excellence in STEM degree programs, student career outcomes, and broadening access also provide exciting opportunities to further impact students and communities across Missouri, throughout the region, and beyond.