"Dean of the Henry Whittemore Library"

Company Description

Framingham State University was founded in 1839 for a singular purpose - to meet a public need and promote the public good. At our founding as the nation's first public normal school, that need was for comprehensively educated public school teachers who would, in turn, promote an educated citizenry. FSU continues to offer exceptional teacher education programs, and while we are proud of our roots as a teachers' college, we have grown far beyond them. Public need continues to evolve, and FSU right along with it. Our students and alumni are making waves in the fashion industry, designing nutrition plans for professional athletes, writing for major media and news organizations, working for Fortune 500 companies right here in Framingham, and so much more. FSU is a proudly public and truly transformative institution offering accessible, affordable educational opportunities that integrate an academically challenging liberal arts education with workforce preparation programs in a highly personalized teaching environment. Our programs have expanded, but our purpose and commitment to public education for the public good remain steadfast.

FSU currently enrolls about 3,000 undergraduate and 1,200 graduate and professional students, offers 60 undergraduate and graduate programs in the arts and humanities, behavioral and social sciences, and professional fields, and enrolls 48% BIPOC students and 54% first-generation college students in our undergraduate programs. We are deeply committed to inclusive excellence and strive to promote a culture of equity and antiracism. This commitment has earned FSU eight Insight Into Academia Higher Education Excellence and Distinction (HEED) Awards and led to our recognition in the Great Colleges to Work For program. We encourage applications from those who share our commitment to promoting a diverse, welcoming, and inclusive community.

FSU is ideally situated between Boston and Worcester on land originally stewarded by the Nipmuc people for thousands of years. FSU and the surrounding area are steeped in history, achievement, and innovation, and provide access to urban hotspots, verdant landscapes, natural and cultural amenities, and diverse communities.

Our founding motto, LIVE TO THE TRUTH, was said at the end of each class by beloved first principal, Cyrus Peirce, who sought to discover and teach "truth in theory and principle...truth in spirit and motive...truth in manner and form...truth intellectual and truth moral." Early leaders found this motto "speaks of sincerity of spirit...of intensity of effort, of resolution to succeed, of joy in achievement." LIVE TO THE TRUTH aptly reflects our past and our pledge for the future as it continues to guide our institution in practice and endeavor. If you share in this quest for truth and a commitment to living it fully, make the next chapter of your career the best chapter at Framingham State University.

Learn more about our career opportunities at www.framingham.edu/careers.

Job Description

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES:

The Dean of the Henry Whittemore Library at Framingham State manages a full range of day-to-day operational functions and services in the Library. This includes developing and implementing policies and procedures to ensure effective operations; ensuring compliance with contractual agreements; reviewing, approving, and monitoring expenditures and recommending budgets; providing leadership and managing the personnel activities of Librarians and Library staff, including hiring, training, and evaluating their work in accordance with contractual agreements; and preparing and initiating new and revising Library programs for the benefit of students, staff, and faculty. The Dean is responsible for matters relating to the acquisition, organization, and maintenance of library resources in support of student success and faculty teaching and research. The Dean leads the Library's planning and implementation process in concert with the University's strategic plan.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED:

Supervises full and part-time Librarians and Library staff.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED:

Direct report of the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs.

EXAMPLES OF SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Establishes Library goals and objectives to meet the needs of students, faculty, and staff across academic departments, colleges, and administrative divisions (e.g., Diversity, Inclusion, and Community Engagement and Enrollment Management).
• In collaboration with faculty and administrators, develops policies, sets priorities, and evaluates and adjusts library resources and services to support campus-wide initiatives (e.g., student success and other strategic priorities) and the teaching, learning, and scholarship of all members of our campus community.
• Establishes standards in the internal operation of the Library and conducts long-range planning activities and programs that support the campus community and regional partners.
• Encourages user relations that are responsive to and dynamically support a complex community of stakeholders from across the university.
• Collaborates with deans, chairs, and faculty to actively promote and forward the Library's role in integrating information literacy and digital fluency skills into the curriculum and advocates for the use of emerging technologies to meet the current and future demands of Library services.
• Assesses services, virtual and physical, oversees the Library's support of online education, conducts studies and responds to findings, and initiates new programs to improve services and collections that includes digitization and improving access to electronic research materials.
• Supervises and oversees the professional development of all personnel and performs all personnel actions that include conducting formal evaluations for reappointment, promotion, tenure, and post-tenure review in accordance with contractual agreements.
• Prepares budget materials, approves and administers Library funds, and reports on expenditures.
• Serves as the Library's voting representative, determining its policies as a member of various networks, consortia, and other cooperating library organizations (e.g., Lyrasis, Minuteman Library Network, and the Massachusetts Commonwealth Consortium of Libraries of Public Higher Education Institutions, Inc.).
• Prepares detailed reports that may be required by the University administration and/or by external agencies.
• Serves on special and/or standing committees, governance bodies, or councils of the University, upon the call of the President.
• Responsible for reporting to the Equal Opportunity Officer or Title IX Coordinator knowledge or receipt of reports of discrimination, discriminatory harassment, and retaliation from students or other members of the university community.
• Accountable for ensuring that equal opportunity, inclusion, and equity are integrally tied to all actions and decisions in areas of responsibility.
• Carries out other duties as required.

Requirements

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master's degree in Library and Information Science from an institution accredited by the American Library Association.
• Five years of management experience that includes the supervision of a diverse staff.
• Thorough knowledge of higher education principles, practices, and procedures, the application of information technologies, and considerable knowledge of trends in higher education and their impact on library services.
• Thorough knowledge of current library practices, procedures, and trends in institutions of higher education and a strong commitment to student-centered library services.
• Extensive administrative and supervisory ability in library operations, demonstrated ability to lead a team, strong interpersonal and communication skills, and the ability to supervise the work of professional, paraprofessional, clerical, and student support staff.
• Demonstrated ability to work within a collegial and collaborative framework and to foster this ability in Librarians and Library staff.
• Professional competence as evidenced by professional growth and development activities, the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships, and the ability to set priorities and organize tasks.
• Knowledge of and demonstrable experience in all facets of the position described in the Duties and Responsibilities of the Job Description.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• A second subject Master's degree from an accredited institution is preferred.
• Candidates who are bilingual in English and Spanish or English and Portuguese are strongly encouraged to apply.

Additional Information

This is a full-time, exempt, benefits-eligible, non-unit position. The salary range is $140,000-145,000.

Framingham State University conducts criminal history and sexual offender record checks on recommended finalists prior to final employment for all positions.

Framingham State University is an equal opportunity employer. The University considers all qualified candidates without regard to race, color, sex, age, national origin, disability status, Veteran status, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, or any other characteristics protected by law.

Members of underrepresented or minoritized groups, women, veterans, persons with disabilities, and all persons committed to equity, diversity, and inclusive excellence are strongly encouraged to apply.

Application Instructions

Candidates must apply online by submitting:

• Cover Letter,
• Resume/CV,
• Equity and Inclusion Statement
• Names and contact information for three (3) professional references.

For full consideration, application materials must be received by January 5, 2026. The review of applications may continue beyond that date and until the position is filled, at the discretion of the search committee.

Framingham State University only accepts application materials through our online application system. We are unable to accept application materials through mail, email, fax, or hand delivery. If you experience technical issues with the online application process, please submit a helpdesk ticket.

Framingham State University understands that persons with specific disabilities may need assistance with the job application process and/or with the interview process. For confidential assistance, please contact the Human Resources Office at 508-626-4530 or humanresources@framingham.edu.