Dean, Library Affairs at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Illinois

Job Description:

POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT

Dean
Library Affairs
Southern Illinois University Carbondale

Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIU) invites nominations and applications for the Dean of Library Affairs. The Dean is the chief administrative officer of Library Affairs, reports to the Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and is a member of Deans Council. The successful candidate is expected to bring a vision for the future that will inspire colleagues to greater scholarly, teaching/ librarianship and service excellence.

The library services of SIU are centralized in Library Affairs and physically within Morris Library. The Library holds over 3 million volumes, 3.6 million microform units, over 30,000 current periodicals and serials and a wide range of electronic resources and databases. Library Affairs' main units are Information Services (Circulation, Geospatial Resources, Government Information, Periodicals and Special Formats, Reference and Instructional Services), Support Services (Information Resources Management, Library Systems), the Special Collections Research Center (Manuscripts Archives, Political Papers Archives, Rare Books, Records Management, University Archives), Sharp Museum and SIU Press. As the center for access to academic information and collaborative learning outside the classroom, Morris Library's staff and faculty provide assistive services to all students, faculty, and staff through its reference services, information literacy instruction and technical support. Additionally, the Morris Library building hosts the University Honors Program, Writing Center, MathLab, Saluki Tech, Testing Services, Center for Learning Support Services (tutoring center) and Center for Teaching Excellence. Morris Library is a member of the Association of Research Libraries, Consortium of Academic and Research Libraries in Illinois and the Greater Western Library Alliance. Librarians at SIU are faculty and are covered by collective bargaining. Additional information about SIU and Library Affairs is available online at http://www.lib.siu.edu.

Nestled in the beautiful hills of Southern Illinois, SIU anticipates being designated a Research I University in spring 2025 and is a 2015 Community Engagement Campus. With an enrollment of approximately 11,800 students, SIU offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in eight colleges/schools, as well as professional practice degrees in the Schools of Medicine and Law. SIU embraces a unique tradition of access and opportunity, inclusive excellence, innovation in research and creativity, and outstanding teaching and services focused on student success. The University is committed to a mission of successfully educating and graduating a diverse student population including underrepresented, international, first-generation students, and differently abled students.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Dean contributes to the University's academic and development missions, including enhancement and support of quality academic programs and scholarship/creative activity; strategic planning, budgeting, and program development; faculty and staff development; support for campus recruitment, enrollment and retention efforts; enhancement of SIU's tradition of serving a diverse student population; and resource development through fundraising and an increase in external grants.

Responsibilities:

• In a spirit of shared governance, conduct and direct Library Affairs in accordance with all relevant State statutes, the directives of the Illinois Board of Higher Education, the Statutes and Bylaws of the SIU Board of Trustees, fiscal and administrative policies of the University under the leadership of the Chancellor and direct supervision of the Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, and in conformity with the Library's Operating Paper, the SIU Employee Handbook, and all relevant collective bargaining agreements.
• Represent interests and perspectives of Library Affairs while serving as official spokesperson between Library Affairs and other units within the University, as well as with off-campus constituencies.
• Enhance and inspire an academic climate, as befits a Research I university, that fosters excellence in teaching/librarianship, externally-funded research/creative activity, scholarly activity, including intellectual property development, and institutional and professional service.
• Facilitate implementation of the Library Affairs mission, vision, goals, and mobilize faculty, students, and external groups to achieve excellence.
• Develop, review, and approve all academic planning, departmental budgets, and fiscal plans, their incorporation into a Library Affairs budget, and the implementation of programs within the approved budget framework.
• Provide leadership by guiding, mentoring, and inspiring the Library Affairs faculty and staff and by facilitating recruitment, retention, promotion and professional development of faculty and staff.
• Foster a commitment to diversity and an environment that advances the University's policies on inclusive excellence and intolerance of discrimination, and support campus efforts for recruitment, retention, advisement, and placement of a diverse body of undergraduate and graduate students.
• Identify, cultivate, involve, and solicit the community, alumni, and friends of the university in developing and sustaining an active external fundraising program. (For more information on the SIU Foundation, visit http://www.siuf.org/.)
• Develop external support and funding from foundations and governmental agencies.
• Facilitate effective, open communication among the various departmental and research center(s) within Library Affairs, between Library Affairs and the Office of the Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and the Chancellor's Office, and between Library Affairs and the broader University.
• Coordinate library and library-related informational services and collections with the SIU Law Library, Information Technology, other collegiate and academic units on campus, the SIU Medical School and SIU Edwardsville libraries, and with consortial organizations outside of SIU.
• Ensure that library materials and services conform to and, where appropriate, exceed the standards of accrediting agencies for undergraduate, masters, and doctoral programs.
• Support the development of online courses and degree programs with other collegial units on campus.
• Coordinate and manage the Library Affairs technical infrastructure, including but not limited to computers, software, networks, and ancillary equipment in the classrooms and staff and faculty offices.

Application Information:

The position is available July 1, 2025. Review of applications will begin immediately following the preferred application deadline of January 31, 2025. Applications must include a letter of interest addressing the specific qualifications listed herein, a current curriculum vitae and the names, titles, relationships and contact information (phone numbers and email addresses) for five, professional references.

To apply please visit: Dean, Library Affairs

This is a security-sensitive position. Before any offer of employment is made, the University will conduct a pre-employment background investigation that includes a criminal background check.

SIU Carbondale, member of the SIU Systems, is an anti-racist community that opposes racism, discrimination and inequity in any form, and embraces diversity, inclusion, equity and justice of all people

SIU Carbondale is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer of individuals with disabilities and protected veterans that strives to enhance its ability to develop a diverse faculty and staff and to increase its potential to serve a diverse student population. All applications are welcomed and encouraged and will receive consideration.

Qualifications:

• Master's in library and/or information science from an ALA-accredited, or international-equivalent library program is required. A doctorate or second master's degree is preferred;
• Distinguished record of teaching/librarianship, research/creative activity, and service consistent with the qualifications for appointment at rank of professor with tenure in Library Affairs at SIU;
• At least ten years of professional academic library experience, including at least five years in a position of upper-level administrative responsibility;
  Experience in budget, planning, personnel, student matters, and promotion and tenure review;
• Preferred experience in academic publishing and/or museum administration;
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (demonstrated knowledge, skills and abilities in diversity and cultural competency are preferred);
• Leadership ability to provide strategic direction for Library Affairs in a rapidly changing environment;
• Demonstrated commitment to student success through library services and programs;
• Active participation in state, regional, and national library and professional organizations;
• Demonstrated ability to develop and sustain collegial and productive relationships with on- and off-campus constituencies; and
  Excellent organizational and communication skills.

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