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UNIVERSITY LIBRARIAN

UNIVERSITY LIBRARIAN

University of California, Merced Job Location: California Date Created: 07-01-2014

UNIVERSITY LIBRARIAN

The University of California, Merced, the newest campus in the University of California system, seeks to hire an outstanding and innovative leader as its University Librarian (UL). Founded in 2002, the University of California, Merced is the first new University of California campus in 40 years, and the first American research university of the twenty-first century. Reporting to the Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost, the new University Librarian will help move this unique institution into an exciting new era by leading the Library to support the rapid growth and academic development of this campus.

The University of California, Merced (UC Merced) was conceived both to serve the needs of the rapidly growing Central Valley, one of the world's most productive agricultural regions, and to increase access to the University of California system (UC system) for California's top achievers. Since opening in 2005, UC Merced has grown in enrollment to over 6,200 students, including over more than 350 graduate students, and has an all funds budget of almost $250 million. The campus is expected to grow to accommodate 10,000 students by approximately 2020 and to a total of 25,000 students within three decades, all while continuing to develop its 815-acre campus. UC Merced is the most ethnically diverse campus in the UC system and has been designated as a Hispanic-Serving Institution by the U.S. Department of Education. Sixty percent of the undergraduates are first generation college students. The campus represents an important point of pride for the city of Merced (pop. 80,000), a city within driving distance of Yosemite National Park and the Sierra Nevadas, as well as the state capital in Sacramento, the San Francisco Bay Area, Napa Valley, and the Monterey coast.

UC Merced has made significant progress since its founding and the University Librarian will build upon a strong foundation to lead the continued growth and evolution of the Library and its services on the Merced campus. Working with faculty, students, and staff across the UC Merced community, as well as with library leaders from the UC system and the regional community, the new University Librarian will: seize the opportunity to insert the library as an aligned partner into the major strategic and development planning for all academic areas of growth at UC Merced; balance the needs of UC Merced’s students and faculty in developing and administering library resources, services and space creatively; be an advocate and seek financial support for growing a library to meet the varying needs of a growing institution and the shifting models of publication and access; seek external resources and partnerships to advance UC Merced’s library; and, provide visionary leadership and develop staff to meet the challenges of institutional growth and take advantage of changing technologies.

The following are qualifications and characteristics needed for the University Librarian:

  • Strong executive leadership background in academic libraries with substantial management experience in planning, budget, and human resources.
  • A realistic leadership style that is willing to have frank and open discussions while fostering collegiality, cooperation, and consensus building.
  • History of proactive leadership on issues of diversity in the workplace.
  • Proven experience or a potential for success in development, fundraising, and public relations in an academic library setting.
  • Commitment to the support of scholarly research including a demonstrated awareness of trends in scholarly communication and the development of print and digital collections.
  • Understanding of evolving issues and trends in higher education, libraries, open access, and scholarly communication as well as the ability to engage campus, national, and international groups in meaningful discussions of these issues.
  • Demonstrated skill in advocating for the library’s partnership role in campus and statewide initiatives.
  • MLS from an ALA-accredited library school or equivalent degree. A record of accomplishment in librarianship and service to the profession.

Salary will be competitive and commensurate with experience. The UC Merced campus is located six miles from downtown Merced, California, about an hour north of Fresno, two hours south of Sacramento, and two hours southeast of San Francisco and the Silicon Valley. As the county seat, the city of Merced is a highly diverse and youthful city that is home to theaters, galleries, and museums; and frequent cultural events. The campus is located adjacent to Lake Yosemite, an ideal setting for aquatic recreation, walking, barbecues, or other activities. Merced is known as the “Gateway to Yosemite” and it is common for students, faculty and staff to take the ninety-minute trip to Yosemite National Park to hike, snowboard, and camp.

UC Merced is committed to diversity and it is expected that the successful candidate will further this commitment. The University is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer. Confidential nominations and inquiries are being accepted for the position. Review of candidates will continue until the position is filled. Nominators should send a letter of nomination that includes relevant contact information (mailing address, e-mail address, and phone number) as well as the context of the nomination. Applications should include a concise cover letter, resume, and reference list that identifies people who have directly observed the candidate in their leadership role(s). All nominations, applications, and inquiries should be directed to the search firm. E-mail correspondence is strongly encouraged. Deborah Hodson or Beverly Brady, Isaacson, Miller, 1000 Sansome Street, Suite 300, San Francisco, CA 94111, Phone: 415.655.4900 Fax: 415.655.4905, Contact: www.imsearch.com/5119


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