Head of Research & Instructional Services
The J. Murrey Atkins Library at UNC Charlotte is seeking a Head of Research & Instructional Services to provide vision and strategic direction in offering user-centered support for the scholarly activities of the UNC Charlotte community. Reporting to the Associate Dean for Public Services, the successful candidate will manage and support a dynamic and collaborative team of faculty librarians and professional staff in developing and delivering innovative services, resources, and programs. The person in this position will lead the department in engaging with faculty and students, providing in-depth, specialized research consultation and reference services, offering library and research instruction, and conducting liaison-led collection development.
The University of North Carolina at Charlotte is a rapidly growing research intensive University offering over 28,500 students a variety of undergraduate, master’s and doctoral programs in seven academic colleges. UNC Charlotte’s Atkins Library is a comprehensive research library with over 1.9 million printed books, 930,000 e-books, over 400 databases, approximately 75,000 journals and an annual budget of over $10 million.
UNC Charlotte is located in the largest city in North Carolina, a beautiful southern city of 775,202 with over 1.5 million in the greater metropolitan area, in one of the fastest growing regions in the country. Located on a 1,000 acre wooded campus, the University is accessible to the city's performing arts and cultural and sports events and to recreational lakes.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities:
● Provide leadership and set priorities and goals for Research & Instructional Services (RIS) in alignment with the University’s and Library’s mission and strategic plan
● Encourage the exploration and adoption of innovative approaches to research, instruction, and outreach to library patrons; regularly assess and evaluate services and resources
● Manage all operations of Research & Instructional Services: hire, train, supervise, and evaluate RIS employees (11 faculty and 1 staff); establish, communicate, and manage policies & procedures in consultation with RIS faculty and staff
● Mentor faculty librarians and professional staff; encourage RIS librarians and staff to experiment and take risks, to try new approaches, and to share experiences and materials
● Oversee training, scheduling, and delivery of in-person and virtual reference and research services in cooperation with other library public services
● Supervise the Instruction Coordinator, and collaborate in the design, implementation, and assessment of pedagogically strong, curriculum-integrated library instruction
● Lead an active liaison program to connect expertise with needs and opportunities; coordinate and supervise liaisons’ collection development responsibilities
● Represent the values and priorities of RIS as it engages in library-wide projects and discussions; advocate for the needs of RIS and support liaisons in advocating for faculty and student patrons of the library
● Facilitate and partner with liaisons in outreach to departments, programs, offices, and groups on campus and in the community; lead the relationship of RIS to library communications and marketing
Additional Duties & Responsibilities:
● Serve as liaison to designated academic departments to provide instruction, research, and collection support; participate in the provision of in-person and virtual research services and of instruction for first-year undergraduate students
● Engage in professional service and scholarly contributions encompassing best practices and innovation in research, reference, and liaison services; participate in committees and faculty governance in the library and on campus
● Perform other duties as assigned
Minimum Education/Experience Requirements
● Master’s degree in Library and/or Information Science from a program accredited by the American Library Association
● At least five years of progressively more responsible professional experience providing research, instruction, and liaison services
● Evidence of strong supervisory and team management skills in an academic library
● Evidence of a commitment to diversity and inclusion in the workplace and community
● Excellent organizational, interpersonal, and oral and written communication skills, and a strong commitment to public service
● Demonstrated experience collaborating within and outside the library to create an environment supportive of interdisciplinary research and discovery
● Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively as well as independently; ability to act with transparency and collegiality to foster an environment of mutual respect
Preferred Education, Skills and Training Experience:
● Experience supervising librarians and/or professional staff in an academic library
● Experience with collection management
● Knowledge of the research needs of students and faculty at a Doctoral Intensive Institution
● Demonstrated leadership skills and experience in planning, implementing, and assessing significant library initiatives
● Demonstrated experience identifying and implementing new technologies and approaches in library services, learning, and research.
● Evidence of intellectual curiosity, adaptability, and reflective practice.
To apply:
ONLY ELECTRONIC APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED: https://jobs.uncc.edu/ (Search Faculty Vacancies - Position # 008664) or use direct link https://jobs.uncc.edu/postings/14103
The following Application Materials must be attached to your electronic submission:
● Cover letter
● Resume/CV
● Names (including titles and company/institutions), addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses of at least 3 professional references. The Search Committee will not contact references before verifying permission with the candidate.
The review of applications will begin February 21. Anticipated start date is July 1, 2017. Appointment requires successful completion of background check.
J. Murrey Atkins Library supports and affirms diversity, inclusion, and multiculturalism. Through our collections, services, policies, and programs, we strive to support these values, and we encourage applications from professionals who can help us achieve this goal. AA/EOE
For additional information about The University of North Carolina at Charlotte, please visit our Web site: http://www.uncc.edu.
For further details about Atkins Library, please consult our web site: http://library.uncc.edu.