Associate Dean, User Services

The McGill Library seeks a forward-thinking, collaborative and energetic leader with a keen sense of the evolving 21st century research library, to lead the planning, coordination and development of library services and user experience delivered in its eight branch libraries. The McGill Library promotes innovation in service and operates in a culture of assessment, risk taking and welcoming of change in a rapidly developing information world.   Reporting to the Trenholme Dean of Libraries, the Associate Dean, User Services leads the Library’s programs in user experience, customer service, marketing, reference and instruction, for the Humanities and Social Sciences Library, the Schulich Library of Physical Sciences, Life Sciences, and Engineering, the Islamic Studies Library, the Macdonald Campus Library, the Marvin Duchow Music Library, the Nahum Gelber Law Library and the future Collection Management Facility. The incumbent will play an active role in planning and in implementing services for Fiat Lux, the McGill University Library’s transformational renovation and building project.     McGILL UNIVERSITY Within sight of one of Frederick Olmsted’s great urban parks, Mount Royal, McGill University is consistently cited as one of the world's top universities and has been ranked first among Canada's medical-doctoral universities by Maclean's magazine for ten consecutive years.  Established in 1821, and one of only two Canadian members of the Association of American Universities, (AAU), McGill University is located in Montreal, one of North America’s great urban centres. The University systematically appears on the annual list of the best employers in Montreal.   McGill Library has the largest collection in Quebec and is one of Canada’s largest academic libraries with over five million monograph titles and 100,000 e-journals and databases. The Library is a member of the Canadian Association of Research Libraries (CARL), the Association of Research Libraries (ARL), the Bureau de coopération interuniversitaire (BCI), the Center for Research Libraries (CRL), and is the first Canadian member of the HathiTrust Digital Library.       The McGill Library is committed to the delivery of innovative information products, services and programs of the highest quality focused on client needs in support of the University's strategic mission and directions. The Library proactively supports the teaching, learning and research needs of faculty and students to ensure that the university’s strategic mission of excellence as a research intensive, student-centred university is satisfied.     INFORMATION FOR PROSPECTIVE STAFF Information about the University and the McGill Library can be found on the University’s web site (www.mcgill.ca and www.mcgill.ca/library).  As a tenure stream appointee, the successful candidate is expected to satisfy the requirements of the Regulations Relating to the Employment of Librarian Staff.     DUTY STATEMENT   Primary Purpose of Position To plan, coordinate and develop library services for users delivered through the McGill University community.  As a member of the Senior Administrative Team, share in policy development, resource allocation, and personnel management.  The Associate Deans play a pivotal role in setting a shared vision for the Library’s future, and in developing an ongoing set of strategic directions to achieve that vision in a creative and innovative environment that encourages risk taking.   Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:  

1. Directly manage user services in all library branches and units, in multiple building on two campuses;

 

2. Collaborate with senior management on short term and long term strategic plans, assessment of outcomes, policy formulation, program development, and resource allocation;

 

3. Provide leadership for the development, evaluation and implementation of programs promoting innovative and transformational services;

 

4. Coach, supervise, train and evaluate management staff in the provision of innovative, effective and efficient services;

 

5. Establish goals and objectives for the branches in a collaborative environment involving all

  library staff;  

6. Participate in planning for Fiat Lux and the Collection Management Facility. Manage the library’s facilities program and staff;

 

7. Develop service standards and monitor services to assure that standards are met or exceeded through a continual assessment program;

 

8. Foster and strengthen partnership and relationships with other Canadian and Quebec University libraries;

 

9. Represent the Library on faculty, university, provincial, national and international committees or associations as required.

    Reporting relationship The Associate Dean, User Services reports to the Trenholme Dean of Libraries and is a member of the Dean’s Cabinet.     SELECTION CRITERIA   REQUIRED:  

1. ALA-accredited master’s degree in library or information science or equivalent.

 

2. Minimum of eight (8) years of demonstrated management experience related to user services in an academic or research library.

 

3. Capacity to thrive as a leader in an exciting, ambiguous, fast-paced, future-oriented environment in a world-class research institution by responding effectively to changing user needs and priorities.

 

4. Evidence of commitment to diverse populations of users and staff.

 

5. Knowledge and experience in creating innovative, user-focused services in the research library environment.

     

6. Knowledge of emerging trends and issues related to instructional and information technologies.

 

7. Experience in assessment and using results to improve services and workflows from a user-focused perspective.

 

8. Strong commitment to fostering growth and development of others.

 

9. Strong, creative, analytical skills and problem-solving ability.

 

10. Commitment to scholarship and professional issues, demonstrated through strong interest in local, national or international committee work, research, publishing, etc.

 

11. Sound knowledge of equity principles and of the University occupational health and safety policies.

 

12. Demonstrated excellence in communicating (oral and written) and interpersonal skills in English. Working knowledge of French preferred.APPLICATION PROCEDURE:   Applications should address the above selection criteria, be accompanied by a letter of interest, curriculum vitae, and the names and addresses of three referees and should be submitted by April 30, 2020, as one (1) .pdf document. Applications, however, will be accepted immediately and will be reviewed starting on March 1, 2020, on a continuing basis until the position is filled. Please indicate the number of the posting (20-AL9871-05) on the letter of interest and on the subject line of the email. Appointment, duration and salary commensurate with experience.

Learn More »