Position Number:

008990

Working Title:

Associate Dean for Public Services

Classification Title:

Librarian

College:

Library (Adm)

Department:

Library Public Services

Position Designation:

Faculty

Employment Type:

Permanent - Full-time

Months per year:

12

Primary Purpose of Department:

The Public Services Unit coordinates and integrates library services for all members of the user community including students, faculty, staff, alumni, retirees, and community members. Overall, it ensures high quality, responsive, and continuously-improving customer service. The Research and Instructional Services Unit provides research and instructional support services, which facilitate and enhance our community’s ability to critically engage with information and create knowledge to meet intellectual, curricular, and professional goals. Public Services also consists of the Circulation & Reserves unit as well as the Resource Sharing and Access Services unit, which consists of Resource Sharing, Collections Maintenance, and the library’s Offsite Storage Facility. Public Services researches, plans, develops, recommends, and implements long- and short-term goals, best practices, standards, and principles, and innovative means for the provision of library public services to the UNC Charlotte community.

Vacancy Open to:

All Candidates

Description of Work:

The University of North Carolina at Charlotte recognizes the differentiation of mission, goals, and objectives inherent in the diversity of disciplines represented by its colleges and departments. Thus, the job responsibilities and essential functions for library faculty should be interpreted in the context of the Library’s strategic plan.

Library faculty engage in service to the University, community, and profession. We create physical and digital environments that encourage learning and innovation, build and preserve collections, support research, and advance scholarship. We provide access to and promote the discovery of information. We help our communities become proficient information users and lifelong learners. Library faculty serve current and future UNC Charlotte students, faculty, staff, alumni, and members of the Greater Charlotte and global community by sustaining the intellectual and creative life, and facilitating lifelong learning, discovery, and engagement.

Library faculty are expected to collaborate within the Library and beyond in the performance of professional duties that may include, but are not limited to: selecting, organizing, preserving, and facilitating access to materials; supporting teaching, learning, and research; providing outreach to the campus and community; and developing and maintaining digital and technological innovations.

Library faculty participate in scholarly research, creative endeavors, and professional activities to serve the Library, the University, and the information professions. Library faculty are strongly encouraged to pursue external funding for library-related initiatives.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

The Associate Dean for Public Services is a 12-month, administrative position in the Atkins Library that is responsible for the development, delivery, and management of the Library’s public services in support of students, faculty, staff, alumni, retirees, and community members. This position helps design and deliver creative public services within the building and online. It provides overall leadership for the Public Services unit, which is composed of Resource Development and Access Services (Resource Sharing, Collections Maintenance, the library’s Offsite Storage Facility), Circulation and Reserve Services, and Research and Instructional Services areas. The position is responsible for the leadership of the Information and Research Desk in Atkins and the Hight Architecture Library in Storrs. This position reports to the Dean and works closely with the library’s leadership team to lead, inspire, and create an innovative, user-centered library for current and future UNC Charlotte constituents.
The primary responsibilities of this position include:

• Implements and leads exceptional public service both within the Unit and across the organization that transcends a desk-based model.
• Continuously seeks avenues to optimize customer service and accessibility through the application of innovative technologies, policies, and services.
• Champions users’ needs and priorities in an evolving research library environment.
• Articulates a positive image of the Library across campus and to community constituents.
• Takes a leadership role in developing strong partnerships with academic units and co-curricular programs.
• Collaborates with peers within the Library and across campus to foster student success and further the University’s goals.
• Leads the Library’s User Services Committee and an ongoing effort to develop positive, patron-focused policies that are kept current and clearly communicated.
• Supports the Head of Research and Instructional Services and facilitates an evolving liaison program that is responsive to campus needs, and an instructional program that is embedded into the curriculum.
• Supports the Resource Development and Access Librarian to provide efficient and convenient access to library resources regardless of their location while creating a welcoming environment and anticipating the needs of every patron.
• Participates in the assessment of public services in collaboration with the Head of Assessment.
• Fulfills library faculty obligations relating to job performance, service, and research.
• Represents the library and the Public Services unit on appropriate library and campus committees.
• Participates in library and university faculty governance.
• Participates in appropriate regional and/or national professional associations.
• Engages in research and scholarship to improve the profession.
• Contributes to university-wide and library-wide diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion initiatives.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Experience/Education:

The minimum academic credential required for applicants for faculty positions in Atkins Library is completion of a master’s degree in the field of library and information science from a program accredited by the American Library Association by time of application.

Graduation with master’s degree in a specialized area directly relevant to the position description may be an acceptable substitute in certain situations if approved by the Dean. A second masters in another discipline or an earned doctorate is highly desirable.

Preferred Education, Skills and Experience:

• A Master’s degree in Library and Information Science from an American Library Association-accredited program and a second master’s degree in a relevant discipline or a PhD in a relevant discipline.
• At least 5 years of experience working in public services in an academic or research library or at least 10 years of experience working in a library.
• Successful experience in acquiring and managing grant-funded projects.
• Excellent oral and written communication and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent organizational skills and sound judgment.
• Ability to work enthusiastically, constructively, and collaboratively with others as well as independently.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse groups and to encourage an environment of mutual respect.
• Ability to resolve conflict, manage change, and work effectively in an organization in which change is both necessary and constant.
• Demonstrated commitment to providing positive, responsive, and exceptional public service.
• Knowledge of research needs of students and faculty at a Doctoral Intensive/Top Tier Institution.
• Experience in developing library policies, articulating shared vision, and providing leadership and direction towards achieving strategic goals.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the research life cycle, and significant experience in developing and implementing services in support of research and learning.
• Demonstrated knowledge of trends and issues in higher education that impact teaching, research, and service.

Necessary Licenses/Certifications:

N/A

Special Notes to Applicants:

Maximum budgeted salary for this position: $100,000 The following Application Materials must be attached to your electronic submission:

• Cover letter
• Resume/CV
• Names (including titles and company/institutions), addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses of at least 3 professional references. The Search Committee will not contact references before verifying permission with the candidate.
• Diversity Statement – Please include a written statement of 250 words or less on your skills, experience, and/or willingness to engage in activities that will advance UNC Charlotte’s diversity plan with a concentration on public services for the campus and Charlotte community. Applicants should attach their written statement in the “Applicant Documents” section of the application.

The review of applications will begin March 14th, 2022. Anticipated start date is July 1, 2022. Appointment requires successful completion of background check. J. Murrey Atkins Library is committed to cultivating an inclusive environment where everyone feels welcome and differences are valued and respected. We embrace and support the spectrum of human and social identities and strive to create and maintain equity for all employees and users. Our campus community is comprised of people who represent the wide breadth of gender and sexual identities, races and ethnicities, faith traditions, nationalities, and other social categories and backgrounds. J. Murrey Atkins Library supports and affirms diversity, inclusion, and multiculturalism. Through our collections, services, policies, and programs, we strive to support these values, and we encourage applications from professionals who can help us achieve this goal. As an EOE/AA employer and an ADVANCE Institution that strives to create an academic climate in which the dignity of all individuals is respected and maintained, the University of North Carolina at Charlotte encourages applications from all underrepresented groups.
Only an MLS or MLIS degree will be considered for this position, we will not accept an alternative degree.

The candidate chosen for this position will be required to provide an official transcript of their MLS or MLIS degree.
ADA Compliance Information:

• Physical Activity: Balancing, Reaching, Standing, Walking, Fingering, Grasping, Feeling, Talking, Hearing, Repetitive motions
• Physical Requirements: Sedentary work (up to 10 lbs.)
• Visual Activity Requirements: Close visual acuity to perform an activity.
• Working Conditions: Subject to inside environmental conditions.

For additional information about The University of North Carolina at Charlotte, please visit our website: http://www.charlotte.edu.
For further details about Atkins Library, please consult our website: http://library.charlotte.edu.

Job Open Date:

02/14/2022

Open Until Filled:

Yes

Date Review of Applications will Begin:

03/14/2022

Proposed Hire Date:

07/01/2022