Director of the Academy Library

Position Purpose

About the Library: Phillips Exeter Academy’s Class of 1945 Library enjoys a national reputation, both as a landmark of American architecture designed by Louis Kahn and as leader among secondary school libraries. Since it first opened in 1971, the Library has been hailed as a masterwork of modern American architecture. In 1997, the American Institute of Architecture recognized the Library with its prestigious Twenty-Five Year Award, describing it as a “modern architectural masterpiece… [and] a spiritual touchstone of great design for generations of architects.” The building is comprised of nine floors with a shelf capacity for 250,000 print volumes, provides 219 study carrels, several classrooms and group study rooms, the ground floor Library Commons, and the newly designed Center for Archives & Special Collections. The Library’s collections include over 160,000 print volumes, 190,000 ebooks, 300 periodical subscriptions, numerous databases, plus an invaluable special collections and archive. The Library is a member of the Eastern Academic Scholars Trust, one of the largest shared print initiatives in North America with the goal of protecting the print scholarly record and ensuring its availability for scholars, students and faculty.

Director of Academy Library: Reporting to the Dean of Faculty, the Director plays a key leadership role providing overall management of collections and services while serving as the leading spokesperson and advocate for the Library. The Director will promote a student-centered approach to the vision and leadership for the Library’s support of academic programs, student learning and the cultural life of the school. The Director’s knowledge and excitement for innovation will ensure the Library’s prominence in advancing the educational mission of the school and cultivating a flexible and innovative learning environment designed to meet the changing needs of the Academy community.

Key Accountabilities

Administrative:

• Lead the development and implementation of a shared vision of having the Library at the center of intellectual and cultural life at the Academy.
• Work with the Academy community to determine how to best address to the changing information needs of students, faculty, staff, alumni and guests.

• Lead, mentor and encourage a team of librarians, archivist and staff in collegiality, collaboration, and user-centered services.

• Develop and manage a multi-faceted budget.

• Integrate principals of diversity, equity, inclusion, and cultural competency into operational and curricular elements of the Library’s activities and services.

• Assume responsibility for library services including instruction, technology, collections development, strategic planning, organizational development, assessment and outreach.
• Collaborate with the Facilities Management team on the responsibility for the physical space and the preservation of the building’s architectural integrity and significance.
• Partner with Institutional Advancement to ensure fundraising efforts for the Library are appropriate for current and future programs.
• Build cooperative relationships with on-campus and off-campus constituencies as an advocate for the Library.
• Oversee and manage a wide variety of public and special events.
• Represent the Library on statewide, consortia and national committees.

Academic and Co-curricular:

• Work across academic departments and student programs to embed library services into courses, events and co-curricular activities.
• Participate in a full range of outreach services, including reference, instruction, and
  collection development.
• Assure the Library is an inclusive space for learning that is responsive to diverse needs and
  supports the Academy’s priorities to enhance the student experience.

Institutional:

• Serve as department chair and attend department heads meetings. Attend faculty meetings and participate in faculty professional development programs.
• Attend PEA events, student programs, athletic events, and other campus presentations when possible.
• Serve on various departmental and institutional committees as needed.

Degree of Independent Action Performed

Incumbent is expected to work with a high level of independence and autonomy, and exercise a high degree of initiative, influence, and judgment in decisions impacting staff and department operations.

Expected to solve problems or address issues that require immediate attention.

Direct/Indirect Reports

Direct: Associate Director of the Library, Librarians, and Archivist

Indirect: Staff & Student assistants

Internal & External Contacts

Frequent contact with students, Dean of Students office, PEA administrative and academic offices, faculty, coaches, staff and alumni. External contacts may include parents, outside organizations, visitors and local community neighbors.

Position Requirements

Education

• ALA-accredited Master’s degree in Library or Information Science required.
• Additional graduate degree preferred.

Experience

• A minimum of seven years of administrative experience in academic libraries with demonstrated progressive leadership, management, and supervisory responsibilities.

• Demonstrated experience in developing new programs based on recent developments and trends in library science, library services, education, community building and technology.
• Proven ability to lead library staff in a collaborative management style.
• Demonstrated experience with building contemporary collections addressing diversity, equity, accessibility and inclusion.
• Demonstrated fiscal responsibility and ability to manage a budget of comparable size.
• Experience working with secondary or post-secondary students.

Skills & Knowledge

• Effectiveness in administration and leadership; including evaluative, analytical and assessment skills.

• Demonstrated commitment to diversity and inclusivity and to serving the needs of a diverse and inclusive community with diplomacy and tact.

• Achievement of strategic goals through collaborative actions.
• Strong interpersonal skills with ability to develop and maintain collegial relationships.
• Excellent communication (written and verbal) and motivational skills including evidence of fostering a collaborative and innovative working environment.
• Demonstrated ability to work with students by building trust and credibility.
• Excellent analytical and problem solving skills as well as a strong customer focus.
• A strict adherence to confidential policies is required.
• Ability to work independently and handle multiple priorities and deadlines simultaneously.
• Working knowledge on using technologies to provide and enhance library services, including knowledge of online research resources, integrated library management systems, and instructional technologies.
• High degree of organizational skills with the ability to be flexible and multi-task with accuracy.
• Ability and willingness to travel (by car, air, train or bus) domestically and internationally as needed.
• Willingness and ability to learn additional applications as needed.
• Ability to follow verbal and written directions, maintain a professional demeanor and restraint at all times, including stressful situations.