Director of University Libraries
Howard University Job Location: Washington, D.C. Date Created: 03-28-2016
Howard University invites applications and nominations for the position of Director of University Libraries. This is an opportunity for a transformative, experienced visionary to provide innovative leadership and strategic direction and management of all the libraries within this system, which includes the Undergraduate, Social Work, Divinity, Business libraries, and also the Founders Library, a National Historic Landmark. Founders Library houses the Moorland Spingarn Research Center containing one of the world’s largest and most comprehensive research collections dedicated to documenting the history and culture of people of African descent throughout the world; The Afro-American Resource Center; Patent/TM Resource Center; and the Channing Pollock Theatre Collection. Howard University is a member of the Association of Research Libraries and the Washington Research Library Consortium.
Reporting to the Provost and Chief Academic Officer of the University, the Director of Libraries is the chief administrator for the University Library System. This positon is a full-time staff positon at the senior management level. The director is responsible for the operations, and management of the resources of the system; providing direction and commitment for the teaching, learning and research agenda of libraries in concert with the direction of the undergraduate, graduate and professional educational programs; development of relationships to ensure the continuous commitment to the academic programs and mission of the University; fundraising; provide creative leadership; and the development of staff.
Established in 1867, Howard University is one of the nation’s leading research universities dedicated to educating students from diverse backgrounds, with a particular focus on African-American students, as well as those of all other racial and ethnic groups from the United States and the world. The University received its first accreditation from the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools in 1921 and has had its accreditation reaffirmed at every required interval thereafter. Howard’s campus contains 89 buildings, covers 256 acres in Washington, DC, and includes a 108-acre research facility in Beltsville, Maryland. Today, Howard is one of only 48 U.S. private, doctoral/research-extensive universities. Its 10,000 students enjoy academic pursuits in more than 120 areas of study leading to undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. These students come from virtually every state, the District of Columbia and nearly 70 countries.
Howard’s academic programs are offered by 13 schools and colleges: the College of Arts and Sciences; the School of Business; the School of Communications; the College of Dentistry; the School of Divinity; the School of Education; the Graduate School; the College of Engineering, Architecture and Computer Sciences; the School of Law; the College of Medicine; the College of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences; the College of Pharmacy; and the School of Social Work. More than 100,000 degrees in the arts, sciences and humanities have been awarded by the institution which is ranked among the highest producers of the nation’s African American professionals. More information is available at www2.howard.edu
The next Director of University Libraries will have a Master’s degree or higher, as well as successful and progressive senior leadership experience in a research university library setting; knowledge of trends, issues and best practices; excellent record of collaboration with internal and external partners; and development of technological/informational services to support the student experience within the libraries. Experience with construction, renovation projects, grant writing and/or fundraising are also desired.
Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. To ensure full consideration for the position, submit a cover letter detailing qualifications for the position, current curriculum vitae, and contact information for at least three professional references by 04-15-2016. Please submit electronically to Jo Ann H. Fax, Executive Director, Office of Executive Search Support via email at oess@howard.edu Nominations may also be submitted to this email address and should include rationale of this nomination.
All inquiries regarding this position will be treated with strict confidentiality. Should you need to discuss this position, feel free to contact the office at (202) 865-8038.
The University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin, sex, marital status, religion, or disability. Veteran status and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
