Dean of Library Services

William Paterson University

Wayne, NJ

The William Paterson University of New Jersey is a public institution of higher learning. The University offers more than 250 undergraduate and graduate academic programs which range from liberal arts and sciences to pre-professional and professional programs; it enrolls nearly 11,500 students from across the country and from over 40 nations. It is situated on a beautiful suburban campus in Wayne, New Jersey, twenty miles west of New York City. 

Dean of Library Services

The William Paterson University of New Jersey invites nominations and applications for the position of Dean of Library Services. This appointment will be effective July 1, 2014. Reporting directly to the Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, the Dean serves as the chief administrative officer of the library, providing leadership to a distinguished library staff of 16 full-time professional librarians (tenured or tenure track), 4 part-time librarians and 17 full-time professional and support staff members. The Dean holds the rank of professor in the library concurrently with the administrative title of Dean. S/he is a member of the Council of Deans and with the Provost and his senior staff actively participates in and contributes to long-range and strategic planning activities for the Division of Academic Affairs. The Dean provides oversight for the coordination of resources and services for 11,500 students and over 400 full-time faculty. S/he works collaboratively with the leadership in Information Systems and Instruction and Research Technology to optimize support for learning within the library and on-line. S/he represents the University to the community regionally, state-wide, and nationally, through professional and research library organizations.

The David and Lorraine Cheng Library provides print material and electronic resources in a 100,000 square foot facility, housing nearly one million monographs and bound periodicals, 17,000 non-print resources and enabling access to 70,000 e-books and 50,000 print and electronic journals. The facility also includes an auditorium, a computer lab, two classrooms and 11 group study rooms. The University is a member of the VALE consortium and NJEdge.Net, collaborations for the shared management of resources state-wide. Librarians play an active role in the University’s instructional program, conducting more than 300 library instruction sessions each year, in addition to individual research appointments and workshops. They are active in faculty governance, curriculum, and instruction in their areas of disciplinary preparation. Librarians with appropriate specialization collaborate with the College of Education to offer graduate programs for the certification of school media specialists. The Dean and members of the library faculty work collaboratively with other academic and public libraries in New Jersey and the tri-state area.

Requirements for the position include a master’s degree from an ALA-accredited program (typically an MLS or MLIS), and an earned doctorate in library science or a discipline relevant to the University’s curriculum; a minimum of ten years’ progressive experience in an academic or research library, with five or more years’ administrative experience including supervisory responsibilities. Knowledge of best practices in scholarly communication and library management, including strategic planning and assessment; and proven success in developing and managing a variety of digital library initiatives, as well as in supporting and promoting innovative library information technologies, are required. Exceptional oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills and demonstrated success in the pursuit and acquisition of grant funding and other sources of support are required. Additionally, excellent team-building skills, a participative management style and demonstrated success in a variety of campus-wide collaborations in support of shared governance in a collective bargaining environment are required. Evidence of scholarly and professional achievement and commitment to diversity are required. Significant leadership experience in regional, state or national library associations is preferred.

Please submit letter of application, resume/CV, and contact information of three professional references to the attention of Stephen Hahn, Associate Provost for Academic Affairs at deanoflibrarysearch@wpunj.edu (electronic submissions preferred) or by mail to, William Paterson University, Raubinger Hall 100, 300 Pompton Road, Wayne, NJ 07470. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until an appointment is made. Priority will be given to applications received by February 21, 2014. For additional information about the University visit http://www.wpunj.edu.


William Paterson University is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity. Women, minorities, and members of under-represented groups are encouraged to apply.