Department Head, Technical Services

General Description:

The Department Head, Technical Services, reporting to the Dean of the Library, is responsible for managing and developing the unit which acquires access to information resources in support of student learning and faculty research. The position is transformational as well as operational, using currently available techniques and technologies and employee skillsets to holistically provide users with quick, cost-effective/efficient access to the widest possible selection of information content on a consistent basis. Technical services encompass traditional acquisitions and cataloging/metadata functions, as well as interlibrary loan, document delivery, and methods for providing quick ordering and delivery of patron requested items. The department is also responsible for maintaining data in the library’s library management system (LMS), which includes both catalog and acquisitions functions.

This is a tenure track, 12-month faculty appointment.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Working with departmental personnel and coordinating with the Dean, develop and implement plans for a 21st century technical services department, an “information brokerage,” that takes a holistic approach to connecting users to information resources through a combination of document delivery, expedited interlibrary loan, digital delivery, and demand-driven collection development techniques.

Develop and monitor key performance indicators to assess operation of the unit on a continuing basis.

Provide oversight and management to departmental staff.

Oversee and manage the library materials budget, coordinating with the Dean of the Library to establish annual budget projections

Prepare periodic and ad hoc reports as requested by the Dean of the Library.

Contribute data in support of accreditation efforts for the university as well as individual academic units.

Serve as a member of the library’s administrative team.

Serve on university and library committees as appointed or approved by the Dean or other university officials.

May teach in the information literacy and library instruction programs as desired and/or needed.

Possess a record of scholarship, research, and professional service appropriate to appointment as a tenure-track faculty member.

Maintain and update professional knowledge and skills on a continuing basis.

Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Education

Required: Master’s degree in Library or Information Science from an American Library Association accredited institution. An additional graduate degree in information science, a computer-related field, or business management, is desirable.
Experience

At least 3 years of experience working as a functional leader (acquisitions, cataloging, etc.) in an academic library technical services unit. Experience as Head of Technical Services is preferred.

Supervisory experience.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Familiarity and facility in the use of Microsoft Office products, such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.

Knowledge and experience in areas such as acquisitions, cataloging, or interlibrary loan.

Ability to establish and maintain productive collaborative relationships with students, faculty, and staff.

Effective oral and written communications skills.

Record of achievement in maintaining and developing professional knowledge and skills.

Ability to respond effectively to changing needs and priorities showing initiative and flexibility.

Ability to interact effectively and work collaboratively with a variety of colleagues.

Preferred: Record of scholarship and service appropriate to a faculty role.