University Librarian

The University of California, Riverside (UC Riverside or UCR), one of ten campuses in the world-renowned University of California System, seeks a University Librarian (UL). Located in the heart of Inland Southern California, about an hour’s drive east of Los Angeles, UC Riverside has exceptional strengths that position it to significantly expand its impact and reputation in the coming decade. Reporting to EVC and Provost and working with academic leaders, faculty members and library staff, the UL will oversee the University Libraries and their annual budget of approximately $14.6 million. The successful candidate will lead UCR Libraries, comprised of the main library, Rivera, and branches: the Orbach Science Library, the Music Library, and the Multimedia Library, to support the university’s mission and provide excellent library services to the UCR community. This position marks an opportunity for an experienced, collaborative Librarian to support UC Riverside in its aspiration to achieve a new tier of excellence among public universities in the nation.

Founded in 1907 as an agricultural research center, UC Riverside today stands at the center of one of the fastest growing regions in southern California, enrolling more than 20,000 students in six schools and colleges: the College of Natural and Agricultural Sciences; the College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences; the Bourns College of Engineering; the School of Business Administration; and the Graduate School of Education. A new School of Medicine is set to begin enrolling students in 2013. With a student-faculty ratio of 18-1, UCR is one of the fastest growing of all UC campuses; it is also the most ethnically diverse and is the fifth most diverse research university in the country.

Under the leadership of Chancellor Timothy P. White, who arrived at UC Riverside in 2008, UC Riverside has embarked upon an ambitious 10-year strategic plan to guide its growth and programmatic priorities. As a central part of this plan, entitled “UCR 2020: The Path to Preeminence,” the university aspires to ascend into the ranks of premier research institutions and earn membership in the Association of American Universities (AAU). The UL will play a key role in supporting this vision by leading a responsive library that reaches beyond its borders to its constituencies and is seen as an essential component and facilitator of academic study at UCR. To achieve this aspiration, the UL will lead the development of a strategic plan and vision for the Libraries, leverage the Libraries’ financial resources wisely and generate additional funding to improve growth and services, develop and lead the adoption of technology within the Libraries; provide strong, effective leadership to the UCR Libraries’ staff, develop the vitality and interactivity of the Libraries’ physical space to promote student success; and participate effectively in system-level and national library collaborations.

This position represents an outstanding opportunity for an experienced library leader with a history of decisive and innovative leadership, including managing human, financial, and physical resources.  S/he will be an effective manager and be able to develop and implement a strategic plan and vision for the UCR Libraries that further integrates them into the academic life of the campus and will be a visible spokesperson and advocate for the Libraries.  An understanding of technology applications and their current use in academic libraries is essential, as is the ability and desire to work in a diverse community of faculty, staff and students.  Work experience in a complex, matrixed organization is helpful.  The successful candidate will have a Master of Library Science (MLS) degree from an ALA-accredited library school, and a second subject Master’s degree. A Ph.D. is preferred.

Applicants should send a detailed letter of application, a curriculum vita, and contact information for five references to 4592@imsearch.com. Electronic submission of applications and correspondence is strongly preferred. Inquiries and nominations can be submitted to the same email address or one can contact the search firm representatives at the address or phone number listed: Deborah Hodson or Beverly Brady, Isaacson, Miller, 649 Mission Street, Suite 500, San Francisco, CA  94105-4128, Phone: 415.655.4900

The University of California, Riverside is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer with a strong institutional commitment to achieving diversity.