Job Title: Head of Public Services Librarian
Location: Atlanta, Georgia
Regular/Temporary: Regular
Full/Part Time: Full-Time
Job ID: 221407
Location

Atlanta, Georgia

Department Information Georgia Tech is a top-ranked public research university situated in the heart of Atlanta, a diverse and vibrant city with great economic and cultural strengths. The Institute is a member of the University System of Georgia, the Georgia Research Alliance, the Association of American Universities, and the Atlantic Coast Conference. Georgia Tech prides itself on its technology resources, collaborations, high-quality student body, , and its commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Georgia Tech Library is a member of the University System of Georgia library consortia, Atlanta Regional Council for Higher Education (ARCHE), the Association of Research Libraries (ARL), and the Association of Southeastern Research Libraries (ASERL). The Library is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion and is in the process of electing a DEI council to lead this effort to ensure and maintain a diverse, equitable and inclusive work environment. Over the past year, an Emerita Librarian has led a Library committee on DEI that has worked to establish recommendations, priorities, and a framework for the more formal DEI Council.

Job Summary The Georgia Tech Library is seeking an innovative and experienced librarian to lead the Public Services Department. Public Services plays a vital role for the library and the institution in providing access to library resources in support of student success, instructional support, research, and other public interests using a progressive service model. This librarian will oversee diverse and talented team who support and communicate library resources and services to customers and provide 24/7 in-person and virtual reference service, access service, and technology support. This librarian will supervise and work with department staff to implement the Library’s strategic vision and to guide the development and implementation of services and initiatives that respond to the evolving needs of students and faculty.

Applicants should be committed to the vision of Georgia Tech’s Library Next initiative and to helping the Library and Public Services team implement and enhance new roles and services. Library Next is Georgia Tech’s initiative to reimagine the 21st century library to better serve and support our students and faculty by transforming our service models and physical and virtual spaces. Ninety-nine percent of Georgia Tech’s physical collections are housed in an offsite storage facility shared with Emory University. The Georgia Tech Library has a unique and progressive service model that relies heavily on enhanced communication methods across the Library and with our collaborative partners at Emory and the University System of Georgia. Additionally, the recent renovation of both Library buildings along with the attached Clough Undergraduate Learning Commons brings exciting new services and opportunities beyond physical collection circulation and maintenance. The Public Services team is vital to the success of Library Next and require strong management and leadership representation.

Responsibilities

Plans, organizes, maintains and manages the operations of the Public Services Department including circulation, reference and instruction, equipment loaning, reserves, and customer support in a progressive 24/7 library service environment.

Develops, recommends and administers policies, procedures and processes in support of Library service operations in collaboration with subject matter experts and leaders; implements and monitors compliance with approved policies, procedures and processes.

Responsible for hiring, scheduling, supervising, and evaluating 18 FTE and 30-40 student assistants to provide onsite and virtual services in a 24/7 operation for the Library and the Clough Undergraduate Learning Center.

Collaborates with Library Service Owners to schedule, train, and assist with student hiring and develop staffing models that best utilizes Public Services staff talent and fosters a positive and inclusive working and learning environment.

Manages student hiring budget in collaboration with library leadership.

Leads the Department staff by setting departmental goals and assessing services and programs; setting individual expectations and developing staff skills needed to deliver services; assess staff development; and manage the day-to-day frontline service operations in person and virtually.

Participates in long-range planning, working in collaboration with library leadership, library staff, and others to develop strategic plans supporting library public services.

Advises Library Leadership on budget allocation needs for all Public Services programs and staffing.

Collaborates with Library Service Owners to develop, coordinate, and implement staff development workshops and other library related learning opportunities.

Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• ALA-accredited master’s degree in library and information science, or equivalent advanced degree.

• Professional service, professional activity and contributions to scholarship sufficient for appointment at the rank of Librarian II, which requires a minimum of four years of experience.

• Minimum of three years of progressively responsible supervisory experience.

• Experience working in access or reference services in an academic library.

• Demonstrated ability to lead and develop a diverse staff, foster collegiality, encourage change and innovation and engage staff in the collaborative planning and delivery of user-centered service.

• Excellent interpersonal, organizational, analytical, written and oral communications skills

• Strong commitment to engaging users and providing excellent public service and creating a positive, inclusive working and learning environment.

• Demonstrated leadership ability.

Preferred Qualifications

Strong commitment to mentoring and developing staff.

Ability to analyze trends and to initiate, develop and assess innovative services for optimal use of information resources.

Instruction and/or training experience.

Solid record of working collaboratively as well as independently.

Demonstrated experience with project management, including planning, communication, and assessment.

Experience with Ex Libris’ Alma System.

Proposed Salary

$70,000 to $80,000 annual

Required Documents to Attach

To be considered for the position you must attach a CV (Curriculum Vita), Cover Letter, List of References, and Statement of Leadership Philosophy. Must be able to provide 3 reference letters, upon request.

Contact Information

Requests for information may be directed to Marlee Givens (marlee.givens@library.gatech.edu), Search Committee Chair.

Equal Employment Opportunity Georgia Tech provides equal opportunity to all faculty, staff, students, and all other members of the Georgia Tech community, including applicants for admission and/or employment, contractors, volunteers, and participants in institutional programs, activities, or services. Georgia Tech complies with all applicable laws and regulations governing equal opportunity in the workplace and in educational activities. Georgia Tech prohibits discrimination, including discriminatory harassment, on the basis of race, ethnicity, ancestry, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetics, or veteran status in its programs, activities, employment, and admissions. This prohibition applies to faculty, staff, students, and all other members of the Georgia Tech community, including affiliates, invitees, and guests.

Other Information Faculty status:

The position will be appointed as a member of the Instructional Faculty of the library and the Academic Faculty of the Institute, is non-tenure track, and is required to go through the review and promotion process for librarians and archivists. Library faculty have an effort distribution of 80% excellence in assigned duties, 10% scholarship, and 10% professional service to the library profession or the institute. The librarian/archivist in this position must actively participate in professional and scholarly activities, including institute and professional committees, research, and publication. This is a full-time faculty appointment. Salary and rank are commensurate with credentials and experience.