Librarian

Job Description The University of South Carolina Libraries invites applications from and nominations of innovative information professionals with strong communication and interpersonal skills to play a critical role in continuing the evolution of a research library on the cusp of transformational change. Reporting to and working closely with the Dean of Libraries, the Associate Dean is the chief administrator of day-to-day operations for the Thomas Cooper Library, the Business Library, and the Music Library. The Associate Dean will promote and support positive, mutually-beneficial working relationships throughout the library system and will have a keen sense for delegation. The Associate Dean will provide the direction and the energy to transform the libraries from the historical book repository model into the patron-centered research institution of the 21st century. A central focus for this position will be optimizing the libraries' ability to meet patrons at the point of need within a publicly funded state university environment.

The University of South Carolina, founded in 1801, enrolls approximately 23,300 undergraduate students and 6,400 graduate students on the Columbia campus. University Libraries contains more than 3.5 million volumes, 1 million manuscripts, 325,000 maps, and 944,000 government documents; and houses the University's special collections. University Libraries is a member of LYRASIS, OCLC, the Association of Research Libraries, and the Center for Research Libraries.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: The Associate Dean manages and oversees Thomas Cooper Library's Public Services and Processing Services departments as well as those of the Music and Business Libraries, which are altogether composed of 27 faculty and 46 FTE staff positions. The Associate Dean position is a full time, 12 month , unclassified, tenure-track, faculty-status position. This position will ensure a high standard for quality of service while being cognizant of the inherent differences between departments. As a member of the Dean's Cabinet, the Associate Dean advises the Dean on library operations and planning issues in concert with other Cabinet members. In addition to day-to-day management, this person will assist in the development and implementation of a comprehensive strategic plan for ensuring that information resources and library services support and enhance the mission of the University. The Associate Dean will represent the Dean and the library system on library and university committees and at local, regional, and national professional meetings. The academic library environment requires that this position keep current with trends in the library and information management professions. This person will also be expected to apply these trends as appropriate to the University Libraries for the benefit of its student, faculty, staff, and community patrons. Additionally, the Associate Dean will assist the Dean of Libraries with special projects.

Minorities and women are encouraged to apply. USC is an EOE. Minimum Qualifications Qualified candidates will have at least six years of progressively responsible experience in an academic or research library with a proven record of successful leadership and demonstrated ability to manage librarians and staff, for which excellent interpersonal skills including written, verbal, and public speaking skills are a must. Candidates must have demonstrated success in leading and fostering innovation as well as excellent analytic and problem-solving skills. He or she must also show evidence of professional initiative, mature judgment, and an understanding of and affinity for the scholarly research environment. SLED background check and credit check are required. Preferred Qualifications Typically this role in academic libraries holds an MLS or MLIS from an ALA accredited institution or international equivalent, but ample experience and a comparable degree will also be considered. In addition to academic library experience, the ideal candidate will have experience dealing with various budget and personnel management issues. A demonstrated ability to lead and implement the activities necessary to fulfill a long-term change within an institution is highly desired. The candidate should have knowledge of current practices and trends in the use and integration of emerging technologies to deliver information resources, services, and instruction in an academic and/or research library. He/she should possess experience in assessing and using results to improve services, collections and workflows. The candidate should show a demonstrated ability to develop collaborative and effective teams and to prioritize projects based on their feasibility, and use of resources.