Dean, Cowles Library/Professor of Librarianship, Drake University, Des Moines, IA
Posted September 20, 2017
Drake University seeks an energetic, innovative and collaborative leader to serve as Dean of Cowles Library at the rank of Professor. Drake University is a midsize, private university in Iowa’s capital city of Des Moines, and offers more than 70 majors, minors, and concentrations, and 23 graduate and professional degrees through six colleges and schools. Drake’s mission is to provide an exceptional learning environment that prepares students for meaningful personal lives, professional accomplishments, and responsible global citizenship. Reporting to the Provost, the Dean leads the strategic and operational direction of Cowles Library and joins a team of thirteen faculty librarians and eight full-time staff in support of the University’s mission.
Duties:
As a member of the University leadership team, the dean will work collaboratively to establish the strategic direction of Cowles Library and its relationship to the University. The dean champions the values and ethics of librarianship, and leads their application to library programs and services that further the library and University missions.
The dean is also responsible for developing and maintaining strong relationships beyond the campus community. The dean leads the library’s efforts to identify and cultivate fundraising opportunities and to develop collaborative relationships with other libraries and consortia.
The dean oversees all aspects of library operations, including personnel, budget, policy development, facilities planning, archives and services. The dean communicates with appropriate library committees and groups to ensure that operational goals–and library faculty and staff roles in pursuit of those goals–are clear.
Required Qualifications:
- Master’s degree in library or information science (or equivalent) from an ALA-accredited program
- A record of scholarship, achievement, and professional service that meets Drake University’s and Cowles Library’s criteria for tenure and is appropriate for appointment as full professor
- Demonstrated leadership and management experience
- A commitment to inclusive excellence and equity, specifically the ability to work with individuals and groups of diverse socioeconomic, cultural, sexual orientation, disability, and/or ethnic backgrounds
- Superior communication and interpersonal skills
Desired Qualifications:
- Evidence of success in developing collaborative relationships within and beyond the university
- A collaborative style of leadership and an ability to create a climate of cooperation and trust among constituencies
- The ability to cultivate relationships with alumni, donors, and local and community partners
- A demonstrated commitment to promoting programs and services that embrace the social value of inclusivity and diversity of identities, backgrounds and ideas
- Administrative and budgetary leadership at an academic library
Apply here.