Director of Public Services

Wake Forest ZSR Libraries has exclusively engaged Jack Farrell and Associates (www.jackfarrell.com) to lead the search for Director of Public Services. Interested candidates should please contact Jack Farrell, jack@jackfarrell.com. Thank you.  

The Z. Smith Reynolds Library seeks a creative, proactive, and collaborative library professional with the ability to provide innovative services as the Director of Public Services. The successful candidate will serve as the head of an evolving department committed to providing excellent service to the undergraduate and graduate students, faculty and staff of the Reynolda Campus of Wake Forest University. We seek someone who will provide inclusive leadership as we implement a new public service model that combines operations from three separate service desks down to one, while continuing to provide exemplary service to our campus community. The successful candidate will enthusiastically partner with others to grow our welcoming environment. We strongly encourage those who are passionate about fostering diverse, inclusive, and equitable libraries to apply. 

This is a full-time, twelve-month position, with Library faculty status, and reports to the library Dean, leading one of six teams in the library. ZSR Library faculty are governed by the policies established in our Librarian’s Assembly and are evaluated annually on Librarianship (70%), Scholarship and Professional Achievement (20%), and Service (10%). While open to the campus since August 2020, the Library reopens to the public on May 16, 2021 and expects to operate fully in-person for the fall semester with the proper public health protocols in place. The Director of Public Services will be located in the ZSR Library and relocation assistance is available to the successful candidate. 

The Z. Smith Reynolds Library is dedicated to improving diversity, equality, and respect among our staff, students, collections, and services. We strive to overcome historical and divisive biases in our society and embrace diverse points of view as assets to the fabric of our community. All positions will be called on to contribute to building this environment. 

This position leads a team that includes one professional librarian and eight staff who are commit‐ ted to providing excellent services to our faculty, staff and students. The Director will have the ability to grow both the size and the scope of the work of this team. Vacancies are being held until this position is filled so the successful candidate can help us shape the team for these consolidated services. Selection preference will be given to candidates with the ability to work independently and on a team in a collegial and proactive manner; provide leadership to a newly reformulated team; demonstrate strong commitment to public service; be flexible to adapt and respond to the ever-changing landscape of information services in an academic library; and has excellent communication and writing skills. 

Minimum Qualifications: Candidates must possess a Master’s degree in Library Science from an ALA-accredited program or a master’s degree in a related field with experience in an academic, special, or research library setting. We also seek candidates who demonstrate: Understanding and knowledge of best practices in Access Services, Reference Services, equity, diversity, inclusion and team building; Significant and sustained leadership experience, ideally in an academic library setting; A track record of successful team management; Experience providing library services both in person and virtually; Understanding of interlibrary loan, physical and electronic reserves; Knowledge of best practices and trends leading through change; Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills. 

Preferred Qualifications: We want to emphasize that these preferred qualifications are not required and that we are commit‐ ted to helping our future colleague develop these preferred skills if needed. Project management and problem-solving skills, ability to set priorities and manage multiple projects and competing deadlines; History of collaborative leadership with proven ability to work effectively with multiple stakeholders to build consensus; Experience with utilizing assessment and data in decision making; Engagement in professional and/or subject discipline organizations, research, or publications. 

Salary and Rank: Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience. The position is appointed to a Library Faculty rank as established by Wake Forest University. Rank at appointment is based on the successful applicant’s experience and relevant credentials. We anticipate hiring at the Associate Librarian or Librarian rank. Starting salary for this position would be no less than $80,000 annually and negotiable based on experience. Wake Forest offers a generous benefits package.  

Review of applications begins on June 17 and continues until the position is filled. 

The Z. Smith Reynolds Library, with a collection of over 1.9 million volumes, materials expenditures of over $6 million, and an operating budget of over $13 million, serves over 5,500 undergraduates and over 2,800 graduate and professional students within the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, School of Business, Divinity School, and the School of Professional Studies. We collaborate with the Coy C. Carpenter Medical Library and the Law Library to supplement services for the School of Medicine and the Law School. Wake Forest is a private university where academic excellence is consistently recognized through rankings in the top tier of the country’s finest liberal arts institutions. Wake Forest offers a rare combination – the academic and technological resources, facilities and Division I athletic programs associated with a large university with the compact cam‐ pus, small classes and individual attention only a smaller school can provide. The University has a deep institutional commitment to public service and engagement with the world, as indicated by the motto “Pro Humanitate.” The university is beautifully located between the western mountains and east coast beaches of North Carolina. 

Wake Forest seeks to recruit and retain a diverse workforce while promoting an inclusive work environment committed to excellence in the spirit of Pro Humanitate, and to offer students richly varied disciplines, perspectives, and ways of knowing and learning.  

In adherence with applicable laws and as provided by University policies, the University prohibits discrimination in its employment practices on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, disability and veteran status and encourages qualified candidates across all group demographics to apply.   

In order to provide a safe and productive learning and living community, Wake Forest University conducts background investigations for all final faculty candidates being considered for employment.  

NOTE: Wake Forest ZSR Libraries has exclusively engaged Jack Farrell & Associates (www.jackfarrell.com) to find the winning candidate for this position. Interested candidates should provide a resume by email to Jack Farrell (jack@jackfarrell.com). Thank you.  JO 202105021

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