"Head, Library Research Center"

The Mardigian Library at the University of Michigan-Dearborn has an exciting leadership opportunity as it seeks a dynamic, innovative, service-oriented and collaborative professional to serve as Head of the Library Research Center (LRC). The position provides strategic leadership for a team of subject librarians who support the academic and research enterprises of the campus through instruction, reference, and outreach. This position is a member of the senior management team of the library, and the ideal candidate will bring substantial academic library knowledge and management experience.

The Head of the Library Research Center (LRC) leads the Library's efforts in planning, implementing and managing an information literacy program. This includes working with colleagues including LRC librarians and teaching faculty to meet curricular needs by developing a sustainable and effective educational program that includes both in person and online formats and is learner-centered and pedagogically sound. The Head of the LRC provides leadership for all aspects of instruction-related policies, procedures, and practices that support student learning and assesses programs in relation to student success. In addition, this position liaises and partners with colleagues across campus, including but not limited to the Writing Center, Math Learning Center, and various co-curricular areas. The Head, LRC will work collaboratively with the Access Services department (Library Info Desk), the Library Tech Systems department (Library IT and Technical Services), and the Art, Collections and Exhibitions department (The Stamelos Gallery, Curator, Registrar). Reporting to the Associate Director, the LRC Head will provide strong leadership for the LRC department as well as the Mardigian Library by demonstrating strong interpersonal, communication, critical thinking, analytical, decision making, problem solving and conflict resolution skills.

The Mardigian Library currently operates the entire calendar year, six days a week, and all staff in the library must have the flexibility to help staff the library building as needed.

Leadership & Management (50%)

• Responsible for overall planning, development, implementation, promotion, and assessment of library educational programs including library orientation, course-integrated sessions, co-curricular skill-building, reference services, and information literacy sessions for undergraduate and graduate students, and offering faculty development
• Collaborates with LRC librarians to coordinate and promote library instruction services to the campus community and to faculty and students
• Collaborates and participates with other library departments to support student success and to enhance the effectiveness of library services
• Serves on the leadership team, which is responsible for contributing to overall library strategy and assessment

Collaboration & Partnership Building (20%)

• Participates in professional organizations/scholarship, university and library committees
• Participates in campus organizations and activities
• Builds relationships with student support services and academic departments across campus

Instruction & Engagement (20%)

• Plans, delivers, assesses, and adapts innovative instruction services through undergraduate and graduate workshops; teaches research tools and skills relevant to information literacy
• Collaborates with faculty, librarians, and other campus partners to achieve information and digital literacy outcomes
• Supports faculty with research, publishing, and other scholarly communications
• Fosters a welcoming LRC space that encourages student engagement and offers inclusive reference services to all library patrons, including students, faculty, and community members

Professional Development (10%)

• Actively participates in library, university and/or professional-level service commitments
• Keeps abreast of developments and trends in the rapidly-changing field of academic librarianship

Required Qualifications*

• Graduate degree in library/information science from an ALA-accredited institution
• Four or more years of leadership experience in an academic library at an accredited institution serving a population of diverse thinkers
• Experience and demonstrated skill in supervision, including hiring, training and development, organizing workloads, delegating responsibility, evaluating performance, and mentorship
• Experience providing library instruction
• Proven understanding and oversight of assessment of library instruction
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex projects to completion
• Ability to be proactive, flexible, and collaborative as a supervisor in order to accomplish departmental, library, and institutional goals
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and as part of a team
• Strong problem solving and decision making skills
• Proficient with cloud productivity and collaboration tools (Google Mail, Drive, Calendar) and comfort using computers and technology
• Demonstrated commitment to practices that enrich a campus community committed to belonging and fairness
• Ability to communicate effectively with faculty, staff, students, and the public
• Flexibility to meet the needs of changing priorities, needs, and environments in academic libraries

Desired Qualifications*

• Experience with library outreach, including development of promotional or instructional print/digital materials
• Evidence of professional engagement and contributions to the field of academic librarianship
• Ability to lend assistance for relevant event set up which may include moving throughout the building; bending, reaching and moving items up to 40 pounds

We know that not all strong candidates will have every skill we list. We still want to hear from you. Research shows that women, non-binary people, and people of color are less likely to apply for a position if they don't meet every skill listed. At the Mardigian Library, we believe our collective differences enable us to make better decisions and drive innovation.

This position may be filled at the Librarian classification or underfilled at the Senior Associate Librarian or Associate Librarian classification, depending upon qualifications and experience. Applicants must have appropriate work authorization at the time of application. This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. This position is exempt from the LEO-GLAM bargaining unit. The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background checks. Background checks are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act. The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.