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Director of Peabody Library/Director of Liaison and Instruction Services

Director of Peabody Library/Director of Liaison and Instruction Services

Vanderbilt University Job Location: Tennessee Date Created: 06-05-2014

Director of Peabody Library / Director of Liaison and Instruction Services

The Vanderbilt Libraries are seeking an innovative and creative leader to direct the Peabody Library and to guide the further development of a robust liaison program supporting the teaching and research of Vanderbilt University faculty and students. The Director of the Peabody Library will supervise and lead the staff of the Peabody Library, one of eight campus libraries within the university library system. This position also will develop a coherent and integrated structure for instruction and liaison relationships with university departments, not only within the Peabody Library but leading this effort for the university libraries across campus. The director will build on a foundation of historically strong services to the academic departments with diverse models of professional responsibilities in the campus libraries and be responsible for supervising and coordinating liaison activities across the eight campus libraries. There are more than fifty professionals with liaison or instructional responsibilities.

The Peabody Library supports the programs of the university and particularly that of Vanderbilt’s Peabody College, which has been repeatedly rated as the top ranked college of education and human development in the United States.

The already vigorous instructional program, which is a growing and increasingly important component, reflects the changes in the liaison librarian model as recommended by an internal task force and the recent “New Roles for New Times” report from ARL.
In both areas of responsibility the director reports to the Associate Dean of Libraries and participates in strategic planning and policy development for the university libraries.

Specific responsibilities include:

  • Directors are expected to develop goals and objectives for their areas of responsibility to implement and enhance the policies and strategic initiatives of the university library.
  • Manage operation of the Peabody campus library, working with the Associate Dean to maintain and enhance library services.
  • Serve as a primary university library contact with faculty and departments on the Peabody campus.
  • Leadership in the development and implementation of liaison responsibilities, especially in the areas of Teaching and Learning; Campus engagement; Research and Reference services.
  • Collaboration with other senior leaders in the areas of Outreach; Content/Collections; Scholarly Communication; Exhibit and Event Planning as well as with other senior leaders of strategic initiatives.
  • Planning, developing and implementing innovative programs for instruction and learning for faculty and students across the university.
  • Mentoring liaison librarians in the development of a pro-active and entrepreneurial model for interaction with faculty and students in support of learning objectives across the university.

QUALIFICATIONS: The successful candidate will bring a combination of expertise and experience from both the academic discipline and library/information sciences. A graduate degree is expected, whether that is an advanced degree in a relevant subject area with library experience; an MLIS with a related undergraduate degree, or a combination of relevant library and academic experience. At least five years of related professional experience is required, preferably with a broad academic background with teaching or research experience preferred. The ability to work in a highly collaborative setting, excellent communication and interpersonal skills, and a strong commitment to service are expected. A wide range of computer and technology skills are now required for library professionals, facility with the technologies of digital scholarship and current trends in library technology are required. Ability to work with a variety of departments across the university and the libraries is important. An aptitude for thinking creatively will be a strong asset.

ENVIRONMENT: This is an exciting time to be at Vanderbilt University. With an enrollment of over 12,000, Vanderbilt is ideally situated on a wooded campus in the heart of vibrant Nashville, Tennessee. The Jean and Alexander Heard Library System is an integral part of the intellectual and cultural life of the university and community. Our libraries are engaged in major initiatives within Vanderbilt, as well as nationally and internationally. In a Vanderbilt partnership with the Council of Library and Information Resources (CLIR), the Committee on Coherence at Scale for Higher Education is examining emerging national-scale digital projects which have the potential to help transform higher education. We are a sponsor and host institute of the Association of Research Libraries (ARL) Leadership Fellows. Our libraries have an exceptionally talented and dedicated staff of almost 200, an annual budget exceeding $26 million, and hold over 3.7 million volumes. The Heard Library includes nine libraries, the campus course management system and the nationally acclaimed Vanderbilt Television News Archive. Our innovative digital exhibits programs have attracted national attention along with our Gold LEED Central Library renovation. Vanderbilt University is ranked among the nation's top 20 universities by U.S. News and World Report and has ten nationally-ranked schools and colleges. For more information, please see http://www.vbe.proxy.library.vanderbilt.edu/virtualtour/.

COMPENSATION: Salary commensurate with education and experience. Benefits are those applicable to exempt employees of Vanderbilt University, including health care insurance; retirement plan options; tuition discount program; and paid vacation, holiday, and sick leave.

APPLICATIONS received by August 8, 2014 will receive first consideration; interested individuals must apply to be considered. Please apply online at http://www.vanderbilt.jobs. Refer to requisition number 1401366. Include a letter of application, resume, and the names, addresses, e-mail addresses, and telephone numbers of four references. Background screens will be performed and education will be verified prior to employment. Please be prepared to provide required information and/or documentation.

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