UNIVERSITY LIBRARIAN
Fordham University has an excellent reputation as a dynamic Jesuit institution located in New York City. Founded in 1841, Fordham enrolls more than 15,100 undergraduate and graduate students in its 10 Colleges and Schools. Fordham University currently seeks a dynamic, innovative, and articulate individual with the experience, leadership qualities, and strategic vision to serve as University Librarian.
The University Librarian leads the libraries in their mission to meet the needs of a preeminent metropolitan research library, articulates a strategic vision, and serves as an advocate for the Libraries within the university and larger community. The University Librarian is the chief administrator for the University Libraries, which include the Walsh Family Library, Quinn Library, and the Library at the Westchester Campus, and collaborates with the Law Library as appropriate. The University Librarian supervises a staff of 85 and reports directly to the Provost.
Strategic Leadership:
The University Librarian leads the libraries in their mission to meet the needs of a preeminent metropolitan research library, articulates a strategic vision, and serves as an advocate for the Libraries within the university and larger community. The University Librarian is the chief administrator for the University Libraries, which include the Walsh Family Library, Quinn Library, and the Library at the Westchester Campus, and collaborates with the Law Library as appropriate. The University Librarian supervises a staff of 85 and reports directly to the Provost.
Strategic Leadership:
- Facilitates the continuing transformation of the University Libraries into a knowledge commons that integrates diverse resources, seeks new opportunities, collaborates with university units, and sustains a vibrant research, teaching, and learning community.
- Creates an environment that facilitates research, teaching, and scholarly activity with an understanding of innovative and traditional methods of information dissemination.
- Establishes a shared vision that promotes the University’s and the University Libraries’ missions.
- Implements a clear and concise strategic plan to advance that vision.
- Supports a culture of collegial governance.
- Fosters an organizational and educational climate that promotes and celebrates diversity.
- Communicates internally and externally regarding the University Libraries.
- Develops strong relationships with the President, the Provost, the Chief Information Officer, the Deans of the University’s Schools, other University administrators, faculty, staff, students, and alumni. Promotes and advocates for library programs that address the needs of students, faculty, staff, alumni, and the community.
Operational Leadership:
- Works with library and department heads, as well as external sources, to identify, evaluate, and implement programs that improve services and facilities, enhance the quality of resources, and increase operational efficiency within the libraries.
- Manages the Library’s financial planning process and budget.
- Recruits, retains, and leads a high-quality staff, delegating authority for specific tasks and creating an environment which supports professional development, continuing education, and advancement.
- Enforces policies and regulations adopted by the Board of Trustees, the offices of the President and University Provost, and the Faculty Senate.
External Representation:
- Represents the University and the University Library in external academic organizations and consortia, such as AJCU, ALA, METRO and WALDO.
- Cultivates external relations and fundraising opportunities with public and private sectors in support of the University Libraries’ programs in coordination with the University’s development initiatives.
- Represents and promotes the University Libraries, formally and informally, to the University, community and the world.
Qualified candidates must have an MLS from an ALA-accredited institution, and preferably a second graduate degree. A minimum of 7-10 years' experience in academic or research library management, preferably in a multi-campus setting, is required. Must have a record of scholarly achievement and publication, and a proven track record of managing digital initiatives, close collaboration with information and instructional technology, delivery of services to remote users, media functions, and a broad understanding of the current trends in information science, issues in academic libraries, and higher education in general. Strong communication, interpersonal, and motivational skills are necessary. Must have a record of increasing responsibility in supervisory and administrative roles, and experience fostering a collaborative and innovative working environment that encourages collegiality, teamwork, and relationship building across the University community. Successful grant writing and/or fundraising experience is also required. Must have experience in planning, implementing, and maintaining an institutional repository. We seek an individual with a strong background in delivering library services to a wide range of patrons with diverse needs, and a strong commitment to integrating library services with the University's curricular, academic support, information literacy, and research initiatives. Successful candidates should have a knowledge of and commitment to the goals of Jesuit education.
Review of resumes will begin immediately and continue until position is filled. For best consideration, applicants should send a cover letter, CV, and a list of 5 references by June 1, 2012. Applicants should communicate via email, sending PDF documents to:
Mr. David Heston unlibsearch@fordham.edu
ABOUT FORDHAM
Founded in 1841, Fordham is the Jesuit University of New York, offering exceptional education distinguished by the Jesuit tradition to more than 15,100 students in its four undergraduate colleges and its six graduate and professional schools. It has residential campuses in the Bronx and Manhattan, a campus in West Harrison, N.Y., the Louis Calder Center Biological Field Station in Armonk, N.Y., and the London Centre at Heythrop College in the United Kingdom.
