University Librarian

American University

University Librarian

American University (AU) invites applications and nominations for the position of University Librarian. Reporting to the Provost and Chief Academic Officer, the University Librarian is a critical partner in, and facilitator of, the intensive intellectual engagement that characterizes relationships between students and faculty at AU. As the University is known for its passion for public engagement, with an equally strong commitment to liberal education, the new University Librarian will have a tremendous opportunity to build even further upon the Library’s exceptionally service-oriented culture. In collaboration with a team of approximately 110 talented and dedicated Library faculty and staff, the new University Librarian will be asked to lead the process of developing and implementing a comprehensive strategic vision for the future of the AU Library, both in terms of its role on campus and its relationship to the fast-changing world of information management. As championing diversity, equity, and inclusion in all of its forms is a key value for AU and the AU Library, the new University Librarian should bring a thoughtful and inclusive spirit to the challenge of making a beloved and admired library even more central to AU’s mission.

Located in Washington, DC, American University is a student-centered research institution with highly-ranked schools and colleges, internationally-renowned faculty, and an emphasis on creating meaningful change in the world. With eight schools and colleges and more than 170 programs including bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees, American University students choose a personalized curriculum of theoretical study and experiential learning, taught by internationally-recognized faculty in courses that take them from the classroom, to the opportunities offered by the nation’s capital, and all around the globe.

The American University Library, also known as the Jack I. and Dorothy G. Bender Library, possesses a collection of more than 1.7 million print and electronic book titles, 600 research databases, and 180,000 media and sound recordings. Notable collections include a branch music library, a strong visual media collection, special collections and university archives, a K-12 curriculum materials center, and partner collections in the university’s Career Center, Center for Language Exploration, Acquisition, and Research, and Visual Resource Center. The AU Library’s participation and partnership in the Washington Research Library Consortium, a non-profit organization that supports and enhances the library and information services of universities in the Washington, DC metropolitan area, provides AU students and faculty with access to more than 12 million volumes.

The new University Librarian will be a collaborative and communicative community builder, responsible for the leadership and overall management of Library services and collections, including academic technology. The ideal candidate to become the University Librarian will hold an ALA-accredited degree or an international equivalent, or an advanced degree in a relevant field, as well as demonstrate effective leadership and management experience within an academic library setting.

To view the full position profile, please click here: https://assets.storbecksearch.com/files/resources/au-universitylibrarian-pd.pdf.

For best consideration, please send all nominations and applications to:

Sue May, Partner

Matthew Bunting, Managing Associate

Alyssa Perez, Senior Associate

Storbeck Search

AmericanULibrarian@storbecksearch.com

American University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution that operates in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. The university does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy), age, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, personal appearance, gender identity and expression, family responsibilities, political affiliation, source of income, veteran status, an individual’s genetic information or any other bases under federal or local laws (collectively “Protected Bases”) in its programs and activities.