Director of the Research Commons

Director of the Research Commons, Assistant or Associate Professor

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES:  Reports to the Dean of Library and Information Services (LIS).  The Director of the Research Commons is a member of the Administrative Team, responsible for managing all units of the Research Commons including reference services, collection management, subject liaison librarians, and University Archives & Special Collections.  The Director works with the Commons faculty and staff to plan, develop, implement, and assess all aspects of the Research Commons.  The Director and subject librarians provide input to the Director of Instruction and Outreach in developing the general instruction program.  As an information professional in a tenure-track faculty position, regular contributions are required in scholarship, research and other creative activities in library and information science, or related disciplines.  A high level of proficiency in librarianship, including the use of relevant technology and best practices in public services is expected.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

·      Provides leadership in long-range planning and transformational change

·       Leads the planning, management, and oversight of the Research Commons, ensuring continuous innovation and excellent user experience

·       Trains, evaluates and directs the work of faculty and staff in the Research Commons

·        Plans and develops services that enhance support of curriculum, research, and information needs for SIUE students, faculty, and staff

·        Works closely with students and faculty to identify and meet their changing needs, focusing on both the library’s physical facilities and online environment

·         Engages in continual assessment of evolving user needs and adapts services appropriately

·          Coordinates comprehensive staff training and development for the Research Commons

·          Promotes the Research Commons so that users are aware of its technology-enabled spaces and services

·           Manages the evolution of the library’s information resources to match the needs and behaviors of users and enhances and promotes access to the library’s print and digital collections

·           Fosters an environment of collegiality, respect, and teamwork that empowers library personnel to accomplish the goals of the organization

·           Provides input to the Director of Instruction and Outreach in the development of the general instruction program.

·           Plays a leadership role in library-wide policy-making and in the development and evaluation of services

All LIS faculty and staff are responsible for working collaboratively to achieve University and LIS goals and objectives.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:  Master’s degree in library or information science from an A.L.A. accredited library school.  Two years post M.L.S. experience in an academic or research library.  Strong vision for user-focused information resources and delivery.  Dedicated service orientation.  Professional expertise in the design, delivery, management and assessment of library information resources and services.  Demonstrated leadership skills.  Experience as manager or team leader in one or more of the following areas:  reference services, collection management, subject liaison responsibilities, university archives, and/or special collections.  Excellent communication and interpersonal relation skills.  Demonstrated ability to meet LIS and university standards in librarianship, research and professional service in fulfillment of tenure requirements.

QUALIFICATIONS PREFERRED:  Experience in team building.  Evidence of successful supervision or evaluation of librarians in a tenure track environment.  Demonstrated success in collaborative endeavors.  Experience in collection assessment.  Experience in planning and implementing a departmental budget.  Experience with emerging technologies in information resource delivery. Record of scholarship and/or creative activity and professional service. 

UNIVERSITY ENVIRONMENT:  Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is twenty minutes northeast of St. Louis, Missouri.  The University is situated on 2600 acres of rolling land and woods along bluffs, a few miles from the Mississippi River.  Serving approximately 14,000 students and with about 80,000 alumni, SIUE has a major impact on a region well known for affordable living and a high quality life.

Lovejoy Library maintains a collection of more than 1,000,000 volumes and subscribes to more than 19,000 print and digital serials and periodicals.  Additional information regarding Library and Information Services and the University can be found at the web site:  http://www.siue.edu/lovejoylibrary/

TERM OF CONTRACT:  Assistant or Associate Professor, 12 month continuing contract, tenure-track position.  Tenure track positions require excellence/meritorious in librarianship, scholarship, and professional service.

SALARY RANGE:  Negotiable dependent upon credentials and experience, with a minimum salary of $60,000.  Excellent fringe benefits.

CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS:  Review of completed applications will begin on April 16, 2012.  Position will remain open until filled.

SUBMIT LETTER OF APPLICATION, RESUME, TRANSCRIPTS AND THREE CURRENT PROFESSIONAL REFERENCES TO:

Director of Research Commons Search Committee

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

Library and Information Services, Campus Box 1063

Edwardsville, IL  62026-1063

Or email to: lscatur@siue.edu

SIUE is a state university – benefits under state sponsored plans may not be available to holders of F1 or J1 visas.

Applicants may be subject to a background check prior to an offer of employment. As an affirmative action employer, SIUE offers equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, creed or religion, age, sex, national origin, or disability.

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