Dean of University Libraries

Dean of University Libraries
Revised 11/20/07

Northern Illinois University seeks a visionary, highly-motivated, and experienced leader to administer its library services and operations. The position offers the opportunity to direct library services and development at a dynamic, major university in the greater Chicago area. The appointment will begin July 1, 2008, or as soon as possible thereafter. The Dean of University Libraries will provide leadership and administrative guidance for the main campus, three specialized libraries on campus, and the resource centers on satellite campuses. The University Libraries house 2.2 million volumes, with access to over 22,000 periodical titles. The annual operating budget is $9 million, including about $3.8 million for acquisitions.

Northern Illinois University is a comprehensive research university enrolling over 25,000 students, including more than 6,700 at the graduate level. The university offers 18 doctoral programs, the J.D. degree, and a wide range of master’s and baccalaureate programs, across 40 academic departments in seven colleges: Business, Education, Engineering and Engineering Technology, Law, Liberal Arts and Sciences, Health and Human Sciences, and Visual and Performing Arts.

Responsibilities: The Dean holds the rank of professor and is the chief administrative officer of the University Libraries, serving as a member of the Council of Deans and reporting to the Executive Vice President and Provost. Duties include long-range planning, formulation and implementation of library policies and services in support of the on-campus and off-campus teaching and research missions of the university, collection development policy formation, fund-raising, budget preparation and administration, fostering regional cooperation in sharing library materials, networking, collection development, and supervision of a professional staff of 30 and a support staff of 76.

Qualifications: A master’s degree in librarianship from an ALA accredited program (or professionally recognized equivalent). Either an earned doctorate or a second master’s degree is preferred. Additional qualifications include: knowledge of the major economic, technological, and personnel issues affecting research libraries and their staffs; evidence of significant professional and scholarly achievement, sufficient to justify a senior faculty appointment in the University Libraries (i.e. professor); record of effective recent library administrative experience in a research library; commitment to support and improve library information services necessary for scholarly and instructional activities of faculty and students; strong management and leadership skills in a collegial environment; demonstrated knowledge of and experience with electronic information retrieval systems, networks, resource sharing, and emerging technologies; interest in, and knowledge of, all aspects of librarianship, including public services, technical services, and collection development; evidence of commitment to fund-raising in support of university libraries; and a record of a strong commitment to affirmative action and to appropriate services for people with disabilities. A more detailed position description and information on NIU Libraries may be found at http://www.ulib.niu.edu/.

The review of completed applications will begin January 7, 2008 and will continue until the position is filled. Nominations or applications (with letter of interest including a statement of qualifications and current resume) must be sent confidentially to: Dr. Raymond Alden, Chair, Dean of Libraries Search Committee, preferably electronically at or to the Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost, Northern Illinois University, Altgeld Hall 215, DeKalb, IL 60115.

Northern Illinois University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity Institution