| Northwestern University Libraries Northwestern University Libraries is seeking a dynamic senior leader to help actualize a collections program that will build on distinctive strengths while enhancing or collaborative engagement with a wide network of national and international partners. This is an exciting opportunity to spearhead innovation at a major research library and to be part of a team that seeks to bring about the “collective collection” vision recently embraced by the universities of the Big Ten Academic Alliance. POSITION TITLE: Associate University Librarian for Collections and Consortia REPORTS TO: Dean of Libraries/University Librarian POSITION TYPE: Full-time Librarian Faculty LOCATION: Evanston Campus SUMMARY: The associate university librarian for collections and consortia (AUL C&C) advances the libraries’ mission and contributes to the achievement of library and university strategic goals within a highly collaborative, user-focused research and learning environment. Provides organization-wide leadership as part of the senior leadership team, assisting the dean and other leaders in all aspects of library management and planning. Creates, communicates, and implements a holistic vision that integrates print and digital collection management activities with robust participation in consortial and collaborative networks. Leads and supervises staff engaged in a range of collections work, including acquisitions and materials budget management; repository development and digitization; preservation and collections care; print collection management; metadata, authority control, and catalog database maintenance operations. Represents the university and the libraries in groups and cooperative programs related to assigned responsibilities and in other situations as appropriate. KEY ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Organizational Leadership: Together with the AULs for Research & Engagement and for Administration, the AUL C&C advances the libraries’ mission and contributes to the achievement of library and university strategic goals within a highly collaborative, user-focused research and learning environment. Northwestern University is committed to building a culture of inclusivity and equity; the AULs contribute toward that culture, integrating principles of inclusion, diversity, and accessibility into all levels of leadership and decision-making. The AUL C&C serves on the executive committee, which is the libraries’ senior leadership group. Assists the dean and works with other members to carry out the mission of the organization, ensuring its effective services and operations and shaping its strategic success. Also serves on the planning council, in which selected department heads, the AULs, and the dean collaborate to formulate strategic goals and make related decisions; and on the leadership team, which is a forum that focuses on leadership development and the library’s commitment to learning organization principles. Represents the university and the libraries in groups and cooperative programs related to assigned responsibilities and in other situations as appropriate. Coordinates cross-unit initiatives and programs, especially, but not limited to, those related to collections. Strategic Portfolio: Within the larger context of library-wide leadership and professional flexibility, the AUL CS articulates strategies related to collections and content, leading librarians and staff across all operational areas of the organization to achieve library and university goals. Sets direction for the libraries that includes concerted effort to build those collections identified as being important to international cultural heritage and that balances emphasis on digital, print, and other formats. Identifies and evaluates emerging technologies and professional practices that can serve the NU campus in the context of fulfilling faculty, student, and community information resource needs. The libraries are committed to developing and maximizing cooperative relationships and proactive resource development in the context of the Big Ten Academic Alliance (BTAA) as well as other consortia. Some other issues of current priority include: participation in large-scale content acquisition models; open access initiatives; linked data; the deployment of repository development resources; and how print management factors drive collection development and space planning decisions. Supervision and Management: In the libraries’ current organizational configuration, the AUL CS has supervisory and management responsibility for the staff and activities of the acquisitions, repository and digital curation, metadata services, preservation, and print collection management departments. This responsibility includes direct supervision of the unit heads; providing vision, support, and guidance to all librarians and staff; providing high level oversight for the collection development officer’s management of the libraries’ $10M+ materials budget; and participating in the cross-unit collection strategy committee. Promotes communication and cooperation among the units of the University Libraries; between the library organization and other campus groups, including libraries on the Chicago and Qatar campuses; and in the context of institutional collaborations, such as the BTAA, the Center for Research Libraries, HathiTrust, the Consortium of Academic Research Libraries of Illinois (CARLI), the Program for Cooperative Cataloging (PCC), and the Samvera open-source software development community. QUALIFICATIONS AND COMPETENCIES - ALA-accredited master’s degree in library or information science or an advanced degree in another relevant field combined with significant experience working in a research library.
- Minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience leading operations or projects in an academic library or other not-for-profit organization with a higher education or cultural heritage-related mission.
- A well-informed appreciation of the place of academic library collections in the higher education and research landscape; record of success in shaping collection development policy and practice according to user needs.
- Understanding of all stages in the collections lifecycle and of the full range of library and archival information resources.
- Significant experience and record of success in consortial programs and other multi-institution collaborations.
- Knowledge of, and experience working in, at least one of these areas: acquisitions, metadata, preservation, repository development. Readiness to gain knowledge and understanding in other areas sufficient to supervise staff effectively and to plan, lead, and assess progress.
- Demonstrated expertise in supervising, developing, and coaching professional, technical, and managerial staff; record of support for staff development and continuing education; commitment to inclusivity, diversity, equity, and accessibility.
- Record of scholarship, professional involvement, and service expected; experience with grant proposals and projects helpful.
- Evidence of ability to develop and maintain successful collaborative relationships with colleagues required; experience with successful collaborations involving multiple organizations helpful.
- Demonstrated success in change management, acting as a catalyst and working as a collaborative partner.
- Excellent communication skills: ability to listen actively, speak and write clearly, and effectively present information and ideas to groups.
- Commitment to inclusivity, diversity, equity, and accessibility.
- Enthusiasm for learning organization principles and readiness to embrace Northwestern University Libraries organizational values.
Library Environment: Northwestern University is a highly selective private university with campuses in Evanston and Chicago, Illinois and in Doha, Qatar. One of the leading private research libraries in the United States, Northwestern University Library serves the educational and information needs of the NU community as well as scholars around the world. Its collection contains more than 7 million volumes, a full array of digital resources, and collections of distinction in Africana, transportation, and 20th-century and contemporary music. Northwestern is a member of the Association of Research Libraries (ARL) and the Big Ten Academic Alliance (BTAA). See more information about University Libraries at: http://www.library.northwestern.edu First consideration for applications received by February 10, 2020. Please read ALL instructions and make preparations before proceeding to the application page: - Applications will only be accepted via online submission (see link below).
- Please prepare all documents in advance as Adobe PDF files, and please be sure all information is entered correctly and accurately (especially names and email addresses), as there will be no opportunity for online revision after your application has been submitted.
- Please also prepare a list of names and email addresses for your external academic references; your references will be contacted directly by the online system and invited to upload their letters on your behalf.
- All required fields in the application form are marked with an asterisk and must be filled before clicking the “Submit” button.
- Be aware that incomplete applications cannot be saved.
Applications accepted here: Apply for Job
Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. Hiring is contingent upon eligibility to work in the United States. |
