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Head of Access Services, University of Washington Libraries, Bothell, WA

Posted June 15, 2015

Title: Head of Access Services

Location: University of Washington Bothell/Cascadia College co-located campus, University of Washington Libraries

The University of Washington Libraries seeks a creative and energetic librarian to join a collaborative team of librarians, faculty, and staff who are committed to innovation in teaching, learning and research.

The Libraries

Serving three campuses, the University of Washington Libraries is one of the largest and most innovative libraries in North America with collections exceeding 8 million volumes, over 500,000 electronic books, more than 120,000 currently received journal titles, as well as millions of scholarly resources in other formats. Beyond the strength of local collections and digital resources, the Libraries is recognized for its excellent service, innovative learning and research spaces, faculty partnerships, global reach, extensive assessment efforts and diverse award-winning staff. The Libraries plays a significant leadership role regionally as a member in the groundbreaking Orbis Cascade Alliance and throughout the profession as evidenced by the number of its staff selected for competitive leadership programs and honored by professional association lifetime achievement awards.

The Campus and Library

The University of Washington Libraries serves the students, faculty, and staff of Cascadia College and the University of Washington Bothell at their co-located campus in Bothell, located 18 miles north of downtown Seattle. UW Bothell currently offers programs in Business; Educational Studies; Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences; Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics; and Nursing and Health Studies. More information on UW Bothell and its programs can be found at http://www.uwb.edu. Cascadia offers a wide range of Associate degrees and certificates, and will launch a new Bachelor of Applied Science in Sustainable Practices in Fall 2015. More about Cascadia College can be found here: http://www.cascadia.edu/  

More information about the Library can be found at http://library.uwb.edu

The Library is committed to equity, diversity and social justice, more about this can be found here: http://libguides.uwb.edu/libraryEDSJteam

The Position

Under the general direction of the Associate Dean of University Libraries/Director of the Bothell Campus Library, the Head of Access Services provides leadership, guidance and strategic direction for circulation, reserves, and materials delivery services at the University of Washington Bothell and Cascadia College Library. In consultation with the Director, other unit Heads and Access Services staff, the Head of Access Services is responsible for policy and program development, operations and personnel, and providing leadership for user-centered services, staff development, and an inclusive environment that prioritizes diversity. The Head of Access Services directly supervises the Reserves Coordinator and Access Services Manager. This position explores emerging technologies and leads the unit in evaluating and implementing new services when appropriate, and contributes to the development of innovative approaches to the delivery of excellent public services in an organization committed to electronic resources and access.

The Head of Access Services serves on the Library Leadership Team and partners with colleagues within the Campus Library, UW Libraries, UW Bothell, and Cascadia College to ensure that services provided by the department are aligned with the needs of the user populations served by the Campus Library.

Specific Responsibilities and Duties

  • Provides leadership and supervision for Access Services, which includes circulation, course reserves, and materials delivery services. Organizes and monitors the workload and staffing of the unit to provide services responsive to user needs. Facilitates access to appropriate development opportunities for unit staff.
  • Provides leadership in developing Library-wide user-centered public services standards and best practices, in collaboration with other Library unit heads and supervisors. 
  • Serves as a liaison between the Reserves unit, faculty, subject librarians, the Head of Collections, and campus e-learning staff to facilitate the use of library resources in online and hybrid courses.
  • Stays current on copyright legislation impacting higher education, provides leadership on campus for organizing events and educational opportunities about copyright; provides in-person consultation and workshops on campus to educate faculty and staff on copyright issues. 
  • In collaboration with the Library’s Budget Administrator and Head of Collections, assists in gathering information and statistics for internal and external reporting, budget and strategic planning. Participates in ongoing user needs assessment activities.
  • Serves on the UW Libraries Access Services Committee and other UW Libraries committees as appropriate. Participates in the Discovery and Delivery community within the Orbis Cascade Alliance. Participates in work related to the consortia and the Shared Integrated Library System as appropriate. Some travel is required.
  • Provides circulation services at the Information Commons Desk. May provide general research service in-person and online through the UW Libraries QuestionPoint reference service, and instruction services, under the general direction of the Head of Teaching and Learning. Schedule may include evenings and weekends.
  • In partnership with the Head of Collections coordinates the activities of Access Services to maximize the accessibility of the collections for use by the Libraries’ clientele, while maintaining concern for proper care and preservation of library material. 

Qualifications

Required

  • Graduate degree from a program accredited by the American Library Association or an equivalent graduate library science/information studies degree.
  • Demonstrated commitment to diversity and understanding of the contributions a diverse workforce brings to the workplace.
  • A minimum of two years of experience supervising staff in a library setting. 
  • Experience or demonstrated knowledge of access services functions (circulation, reserves and interlibrary borrowing/materials delivery) and the integrated library systems that support them. 
  • Strong user centered public service philosophy.
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

Preferred

  • Experience working in a college or university library setting.  
  • Demonstrated ability to work successfully in a collaborative, team oriented environment. 
  • Excellent knowledge of current issues and opportunities in enhancing access to library collections and services.  
  • Familiarity with assessment and evaluation methods; creative, innovative and motivated to engage in ongoing assessment of services.
  • Experience or demonstrated knowledge in working with students from diverse backgrounds, interests, and abilities who possess a wide range of educational goals.  

Salary

$52,000 minimum. Starting salary commensurate with qualifications and background.

Rank

Position will be at rank of Assistant, Sr. Assistant or Associate Librarian, depending on qualifications and background.

Benefits

Librarians are academic personnel and participate in the University of Washington Retirement Plan on a matching basis. Vacation is accrued at the rate of 24 working days per year; sick leave at the rate of 12 working days per year. No state or local income tax.

Application Process

To apply for this position, please submit the following information to [email protected]:

  • Cover letter (addressed to Laura Lillard, Assistant Director, Libraries Academic Human Resources)
  • Curriculum vitae or resume (include a telephone number, mailing address, email address and salary requirements)
  • List of three references who are knowledgeable of your qualifications for this position, one of which must be your current supervisor (include telephone numbers, mailing addresses, and email addresses)
  • Public Services Philosophy: Applicants are also to provide a separate statement of no more than one page addressing their public services philosophy.
  • Please use “Librarian Application” in the subject heading.
  • Please submit all components in a single, multi-page PDF document. All submissions will be maintained in a secure, password protected online file space during the course of the search. Campus constituents may have access to some material, including CVs. 

Application Deadline

To ensure consideration, applications should be received no later than 5:00 pm, Friday July 17, 2015.

University of Washington Libraries Home Page is http://www.lib.washington.edu.

University of Washington is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.

In compliance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, the University is required to verify and document the citizenship or employment authorization of each new employee.  

For questions about this position, or questions regarding potential disability accommodations, please contact Laura Lillard at [email protected].

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