Macalester College seeks Associate Library Director

Text courtesy of Angi Faiks, Associate Library Director, DeWitt Wallace Library

Macalester College’s DeWitt Wallace Library invites applications and nominations for an outstanding individual for the leadership position of Associate Library Director. We are seeking a thoughtful, confident, strategic manager and visionary leader who would value our highly collaborative, creative, and innovative environment. The Associate Library Director for Access, Instruction & Research Services (AIRS) manages and guides the staff responsible for research, instruction, circulation, interlibrary loan, reserves, and public access computing. They are the steward of library services providing leadership, vision, assessment, and strategies that ensure our services meet the needs of current and future scholars. This position serves as a member of the leadership team and contributes to strategic planning and direction of the library. The individual in this position focuses on outreach and partnership development and works closely with our academic community to ensure that public service, research, and instruction operations most effectively and efficiently support college curricular needs and scholarly endeavors. Key components of this position are to actively participate in serving the mission of the library and college, to provide excellent service, to keep current in the profession, to share expertise and experience with others, and to serve as a representative of the college, our library, and the library profession. Our college and library staff are committed to helping increase opportunities for individuals from underrepresented groups and seek applicants from diverse backgrounds and identities. Our library staff received the ACRL Excellence in Academic Libraries for college libraries award in 2016. 

The current portfolio of responsibility includes:

• Research, Instruction services 
• Service Desk support and oversight
• Data and Digital Scholarship support services 
• Circulation, Interlibrary Loan, Reserves services
• User Experience leadership
• Diversity, Equity, Inclusion leadership
• Campus partnership development
• Library leadership
• Supervision of 11 direct reports who collectively manage 40-50 student employees.

Responsibilities

• Supervises and leads 11 direct reports who collectively manage approximately 40-50 student employees. 
• Oversees all processes essential to the operation of public service functions, including: circulation/course reserve services, interlibrary loan services, systems, research, consultation and instruction services, and student technology support services.
• Works closely with staff to maintain efficient workflow and procedures, provides leadership in process improvements. 
• Contributes to assessment activities including report writing and data compilation and analysis.
• Develops and manages spaces for learning and study that embrace current trends in pedagogy.
• Oversees public computing, planning for new spaces and integration of new technologies that most effectively support the scholarly and curriculum needs of the community.
• Oversees operations related to keeping the library building environment safe and secure.
• Helps foster teamwork throughout the organization, on campus, and beyond.
• Builds strong relationships and promotes the library on campus and beyond.
• Provides service to the college through participation on campus groups or projects.
• Demonstrates a commitment to equity, inclusion, and diversity. 
• Serves on consortium or national professional committees to share our expertise and experience with others, and to serve as a representative of the college.
• Stays abreast of developments in the field and is engaged in personal professional development through active participation in relevant conferences, associations, and writings.

Required Qualifications

• Masters in Library and Information Science from a program accredited by the American Library Association (ALA) or from a program in a country with a formal accreditation process as identified by ALA. 
• A minimum of 3 years experience managing and supervising a professional staff in an academic or library environment.
• A minimum of 5 years post-MLS experience. 
• Experience at an academic, special, research library, or closely related institution.
• Experience with research and instruction services.
• Demonstrated organizational, assessment, project management, process improvement, and problem solving skills. 
• Can demonstrate a highly functional understanding of work in a student-centered environment.
• Proven experience working effectively in a team environment.
• Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to equity, inclusion, and diversity.  

Preferred Qualifications

• A 10+ years post-MLS experience.
• Experience with circulation or interlibrary loan systems and operations.
• Demonstrated professional development activity.
• Strong record of administration of a department or service, with demonstrated ability to articulate vision and identify strategic directions.

Application Guidelines

Please submit a cover letter and resume in one PDF through the Macalester Employment Opportunities webpage. Please address the requirements of the position in your application. We will be accepting applications until the position is filled. We would like the successful candidate to begin no later than August 1. Direct all inquiries to Ashley Ellingson, Employment Services. 

Macalester is dedicated to the goal of building a culturally diverse and pluralistic staff committed to working in a multicultural environment and strongly encourages applications from everyone who would add richness to our community, including people of color, individuals with disabilities, women and LGBTQIA+ individuals. Candidates of color are strongly encouraged to apply.

Institutional Overview

Since its founding in 1874, Macalester has provided students with the inspiration, insight, and experience to become successful and ethical leaders. Located in St. Paul, Minnesota, Macalester enrolls nearly 2,100 students who come from virtually every state and 91 countries. Macalester is committed to being a preeminent liberal arts college known for its high standards of scholarship and its special emphasis on internationalism, multiculturalism, and service to society.

Macalester is proud of its longstanding commitment to social justice and creating a safe environment for all people regardless of sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, gender, religion, age, or ability. Macalester is dedicated to the goal of building a culturally diverse and pluralistic staff committed to working in a multicultural environment and strongly encourages applications from everyone who would add richness to our community, including people of color, individuals with disabilities and women.

Benefits

Macalester employees enjoy a fantastic benefits package and working environment that is second to none. Please visit our website for more information about benefits at Macalester College.