"Head of Information Services and Creative Media - 528187"

Position Summary

The University of Alabama Libraries is seeking a creative, innovative, and experienced librarian to fill the position of Head of Information Services and Creative Media. The Head of Information Services and Creative Media will report to the Associate Dean for Research and User Services and will actively contribute to the management of Information Services and the Digital Scholarship Zone, which includes the Sanford Media Center.

Detailed Position Information

This faculty position will oversee and advance instructional and information services, reference services, creative media production, and instructional technologies programs in the University Libraries. The candidate will possess the vision and leadership skills necessary to develop user-focused liaison and instructional programs based on in-depth experiences with pedagogical methods, teaching practices, curriculum development, and assessment of student learning outcomes, as well as assist in setting standards for a positive, service-oriented atmosphere. Evaluation and assessment of current programs, as well as the development of new programs, will be expected. The candidate must possess the ability to develop benchmarks to provide assessment for the instructional program and research services. This position actively participates in planning, assessing, and determining the strategic directions for Information Services and the Sanford Media Center. The candidate must possess a broad understanding of teaching and learning methods across multiple disciplines and be committed to developing and leading training to deliver instruction and research services, both in-person and virtually.

The position provides leadership for teaching, academic engagement, research support, and student success.

Reporting to the Associate Dean for Research and User Services, the Head of Information Services and Creative Media will maintain an active scholarship agenda and pursue grant writing opportunities relevant to the mission of the University Libraries and The University of Alabama. The Head of Information Services and Creative Media will promote a culture of innovation, continual learning, and professional development for faculty and staff with a commitment to continuous quality improvement. The candidate must be able to foster collaboration, as well as mentor and evaluate librarians and staff. The successful candidate must possess the ability to approach change, ambiguity, and complex problems that are typical of a research university setting. Responsibilities of the position may change as University Libraries continues to evolve.

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:

• Leading, mentoring, and evaluating a unit of faculty librarians, staff, and students in Information Services and the Digital Scholarship Zone, which includes the Sanford Media Center.
• Creating a multi-media research and instruction environment by incorporating the skills, expertise, and services of the Sanford Media Center.
• Collaborating with others in the development of instructional technologies and creative media programs and services within the new Digital Scholarship Zone.
• Providing leadership and oversight in the continual development, promotion, assessment and reporting on comprehensive instruction and media production programs that foster excellence in teaching and learning, enhancing user experience, and deepening academic engagement.
• Working with the Associate Dean for Research and User Services to develop and facilitate a program of innovative services and programs that are aligned with the University Libraries Strategic Plan.
• Developing a robust and rigorous assessment and monthly reporting program for Information Services, the Sanford Media Center, and the Digital Scholarship Zone.
• Understanding and responding to the methodological differences in subject area research and developing strategies to best target the needs of users within these areas.
• Collaborating with other units on instructional programs and services.
• Collaborating with leaders of forward-facing units to maintain cohesion across libraries.
• Contributing to the marketing and outreach efforts of University Libraries.
• Developing relationships with faculty and staff to strengthen instruction and media production programs and to foster collaboration on campus.
• Overseeing the projects undertaken by librarians and staff in the area and coordinating annual goal setting and achievement across Information Services and the Sanford Media Center.
• Providing oversight on the continual development of reference practices and research services within Information Services and the Sanford Media Center.
• Maintaining an active agenda of research and published scholarship.
• Preparing and submitting grant applications, as well as managing sponsored funding projects for Information Services.
• Overseeing the creation of digital learning objects and audio/visual production toward enhanced learning outcomes.
• Overseeing liaison engagement in distance learning programs.
• Implementing programs and services toward increased student success.
• Coordinating student-focused initiatives to enrich the university learning experience.

Minimum Qualifications

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master's in Library & Information Sciences from an ALA-accredited institution.
• Demonstrated management experience with innovative use of resources and emerging technologies.
• Advanced knowledge of issues and trends in reference and instruction services.
• Deep understanding of instruction and teaching design.
• Advanced understanding of pedagogical approaches and teaching practices.
• Experience with assessment of student learning outcomes and program objectives.
• Demonstrated success in engaging in outreach to faculty and students.
• Ability to facilitate continuous quality improvement through needs assessments and environmental scans, using data driven decision making.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a complex and changing environment; proven ability to work both independently and collaboratively and complete tasks according to an established timeframe, manage multiple priorities, and meet deadlines.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, along with expert skills associated with listening, negotiating, compromising, and adapting.
• Record of peer reviewed publications, scholarly presentations, and professional service.
• Ability to meet the requirements for tenure and promotion. Commitment to conduct research and scholarship independently and consistent with a tenure track faculty appointment.
• Commitment to engage in continuing professional development.
• Experience with assessment and survey tools such as Qualtrics.
• Experience with project management applications such as Jira and/or Trello.
• Experience with creative media applications to support digital object content creation (e.g. Articulate, Adobe products, video and audio editing).
• Proven abilities, utilizing software for data organization and analysis (e.g. Excel, NVivo, etc.).
• Knowledge of emerging technologies and their applications to online education.
• Research experience, including experience with Institutional Review Board processes.

Preferred Qualifications

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Record of mentoring and leading librarians and staff.
• Managerial experience as a program lead in instruction and/or reference in an academic library.
• Demonstrated knowledge of current and emerging trends in academic research libraries.
• Experience managing and collecting statistics in LibInsight.
• Experience managing calendars in LibCal.
• Knowledge and experience with FOLIO.
• Demonstrated experience designing and assessing instruction using qualitative and quantitative methods.
• Knowledge of funding sources and organizations for grant revenues.
• Experience submitting grant proposals.
• Evidence of an active published research portfolio.

Instructions and Required Materials for Application

SALARY/BENEFITS: 12-month tenure track faculty appointment at the Assistant or Associate Professor rank. Salary is $80,000.00 - $100,000.00, commensurate with qualifications, experience, and advanced degrees. Strong benefits, including professional development support, tuition fee waiver, and matching retirement contributions. TO APPLY: Applications are accepted online only at https://careers.ua.edu. Click Faculty Jobs, then University Libraries. Please include your application, curriculum vitae with evidence of an active published research portfolio, cover letter, and names, addresses, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses of three references, including one current supervisor. Consideration of applications will begin immediately and will continue until position is filled. Applications received by January 16, 2026, are assured of receiving full consideration. For questions regarding the search, contact Michael Arthur, Senior Associate Dean, at maarthu@ua.edu.