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Dean, University Libraries and School of Information Sciences

Employer
Wayne State University
Location
Michigan, United States
Salary
Salary Not Specified
Date posted
Mar 14, 2023


Dean, University Libraries and School of Information Sciences

We are searching for an experienced Dean, University Libraries and School of Information Sciences at our Detroit campus location. Wayne State University is a premier, public, urban research university located in the heart of Detroit where students from all backgrounds are offered a rich, high quality education. Our deep rooted commitment to excellence, collaboration, integrity, diversity and inclusion creates exceptional educational opportunities preparing students for success in a diverse, global society.

Wayne State University seeks a creative, innovative, and dynamic leader to serve as its Dean of University Libraries and the School of Information Sciences (SIS). Reporting to the Provost, the Dean of University Libraries and the School of Information Sciences serves as the chief academic and administrative officer for all the University’s libraries and the SIS. University Libraries are central to Wayne’s research, teaching, and outreach missions. The Dean is a critical partner in, and facilitator of, student and faculty intellectual engagement and will demonstrate a commitment to collaboration, innovation, and service to help define, articulate, plan, and promote all areas of the Wayne State University Library System (WSULS). In the context of a diverse, urban university with a prominent research agenda, the Dean will work closely with all academic and administrative units of Wayne State University to advance a bold vision for the University Libraries, archives, and SIS and to promote their positions as critical campus partners in the teaching, learning, and research enterprise.

Wayne State University Library System:

The Wayne State University Library System (WSULS) consists of four units: the School of Information Sciences (SIS); the Walter P. Reuther Library, Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs; the Detroit Area Library Network (DALNET); and the University Libraries. Collectively, these units provide access to an expansive network of research, digital content, archival information, periodicals, and databases within an R1 university.

The University Libraries:

The Mission of the Wayne State University Libraries is to, “advance scholarship, student learning and faculty innovation through continuous development of a library that serves as a national model for a research University with an urban teaching and service mission.” Within the library enterprise, the University Libraries offer more than three million volumes, over 56,000 journal titles, and a broad range of electronic resources, including electronic journals and over 800,000 e-books.

There are four libraries within the Wayne State University library system:

• The David Adamany Undergraduate Library, (UGL) provides access to hundreds of computers, wireless internet, spaces for collaborative or silent study and course and textbook reserves and is a campus destination for students. The library is also home to the Warrior Writing, Research, and Technology (WRT) Zone, the Irvin D. Reid Honors College, the Academic Success Center, Advising, Student Disability Services and the Office of Military and Veterans Academic Excellence.

• Arthur Neef Law Library - The Law Library resides within the Wayne Law School Complex on Wayne State's main campus. The Law Library offers comprehensive collections and services to support WSU faculty and students in an environment conducive to research, scholarship and learning. The Law Library is a selective depository within the Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP). The Law Library also welcomes members of the community to use its resources on site for conducting legal research and accessing government information.

• The Purdy/Kresge Library- The Purdy/Kresge Library offers a more traditional library atmosphere with wireless internet, over 60 computers, a large print collection and ample quiet study space on all floors. It is also home to the Teaching Commons, a collaboration between the University Libraries, the Office for Teaching and Learning, and Computing and Information Technology (C&IT).

• Vera P. Shiffman Medical Library - The Vera P. Shiffman Medical Library is on the Wayne State University medical campus inside the Richard J. Mazurek, M.D. Medical Education Commons. Shiffman Medical Library supports the research, education, public health, and health information needs of the Wayne State University School of Medicine and the Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. The library maintains access to major biomedical, health sciences, and consumer health resources.

• Detroit Area Library Network (DALNET) - The Wayne State University Library System hosts and is a member of the Detroit Area Library Network (DALNET), one of the nation's most progressive multi-type library systems.



Candidate Profile:

The Wayne State University Libraries seeks a bold, inspired leader whose professional experiences and personal values align with Wayne State University’s mission and vision. Candidates for this opportunity must be prepared to lead and manage the library and archival services and collections as well as shepherd a vision for the future. The new Dean will be a strong effective advocate for libraries and a collaborative, communicative, and inclusive community builder, with demonstrated abilities in academic leadership and research library administration. The Dean will oversee the planning, budget, resource management, and staffing of the libraries, archives and SIS in support of the academic, instructional, and information needs of faculty, students, and staff across the University. The successful candidate will be an experienced scholar-practitioner with a vision for the future of libraries and information sciences and the ability to articulate and inspire others to unite in achieving the vision. They will have an advanced degree and a record of scholarly achievement in library, archival, and information science or a related field.

The Dean will have exceptional communication skills and the capacity to respond to the unique needs of a progressive library enterprise and academic unit. They will have demonstrated experience working with shared governance and developing systems to support leadership development among teams. The Dean will recognize their colleagues' expertise and engage the staff to develop strategic plans, solutions, and operations that strengthen the WSULS. At the core of their leadership, they will exemplify and model a deep commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and have evidence of inculcating and assessing these practices system-wide. The Dean will be highly collaborative and build cohesive partnerships within the WSULS and the broader campus community.

The Dean will be a visionary, decisive, and transparent leader who can identify and advocate for resources, identify opportunities to enhance services across the entire enterprise, and build capacity to operationalize initiatives. They will have formidable strategic planning, budgeting, and financial forecasting skills, with experience in grant writing and identifying external funding resources. The Dean will be driven by the opportunity to develop contemporary strategies that will engage community members in the context of a vibrant and diverse research institution with dynamic library operation. The Dean must be able to develop and maintain relationships with alumni, citizens, and stakeholders in the Detroit community and beyond.

The successful candidate will bring many of the following professional qualifications, skills, and experience:

• Experience leading academic units and evidence of education and scholarship.

• A nuanced understanding of the mission, values, and goals of an intellectual enterprise in higher education, and ability to translate this to how an academic library can enthusiastically and creatively partner with faculty, staff, students, regional leadership, and other large academic libraries in this endeavor.

•Professional experience leading a multi-faceted library service environment, with a broad understanding of the work of the library staff.

•Demonstrated experience with collaborative leadership in a shared governance model.

•Strong library technological competencies and an understanding of emerging practices and technologies regarding digital repositories, shared services, and library consortia systems.

•Evidence of partnership with campus constituencies to develop graduate program enrollment and marketing strategies.

• Familiarity and experience with managing building and renovation projects.

• Understanding of contemporary pedagogical practices, graduate education, course development, and online course delivery.

• An understanding of the landscape of higher education legislation and legal policy impacting libraries such as copyright law, open access, and licensing.

• Experience in program assessment, accreditation, and new program development.

•Experience navigating and building key relationships in higher education, academic, non-profit and/or business setting, and a willingness to engage and attract donors and resources to the library through effective grant-writing and cultivation of relationships.

• Demonstrated experience with unionized staff is a plus.

• Exceptional communication skills to various constituencies, including internal stakeholders, the Board of Governors, and senior administration.

• Active participation in regional and national professional organizations that align with services and/or their academic discipline.

Compensation & Benefits:

The salary is competitive and commensurate with experience. Salary for the role is currently anticipated to range from $220,000 - $250,000, commensurate with experience, skills, and the qualifications required for this role. In addition, Wayne State University offers a generous employee health and benefits package.

Contact:

Beth Schaefer and Laura Bertonazzi of Koya Partners have been exclusively retained for this search.

To express your interest in this role please submit your materials below:

https://talent-profile.diversifiedsearchgroup.com/search/v2/19174 All inquiries and discussions will be considered strictly confidential.

Koya Partners is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals living with disabilities. If you are a qualified individual living with a disability and need assistance expressing interest online, please email NonprofitSearchOps@divsearch.com . If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request an accommodation for the interview process.

A full profile is available: https://diversifiedsearchgroup.com/search/19174-wayne-state-dean-university-libraries/ .

Preferred Qualifications :
Status of a tenured full professor preferred.

School/College/Division :

H01 - University Libraries

Primary Department :
H0101 - Deans Office University Library

Job Type :
Full Time

Job Category :
Staff/Administrative

Working Conditions :
Wayne State University requires all students, faculty and staff to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 with limited exceptions. Learn more at: https://wayne.edu/coronavirus. Vaccine verifications can be uploaded using the following link: https://go.wayne.edu/vaccine-verification. If you require a medical or religious exemption to the vaccine mandate, please complete and follow the instructions in the following form: https://wayne.edu/coronavirus/covid-vaccine-declination-form.pdf. Normal office environment.

Background Check Requirements :
University policy requires certain persons who are offered employment to undergo a background check, including a criminal history check, before starting work. If you are offered employment, the University will inform you if a background check is required.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement :
Wayne State University provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. WSU encourages applications from women, people of color, and other underrepresented people. Wayne State is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer.

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