Assistant Director of Public Services, Colby College, Waterville, ME

Posted April 18, 2019

Colby College Libraries [the Libraries] seek a new assistant director of public services who is thoughtful and courteous, creative and curious, adaptive and collaborative. The assistant director of public services leads, administers, and coordinates the operations of all of the Libraries’ public service points and programs. The Libraries strive to be progressive, diverse, strategic, and collaborative with a talented and team-oriented group of professionals. The Libraries consist of three physical library spaces: Miller Library (the Humanities and Social Sciences library – considered the main library – and includes special collections and archives), Bixler Art and Music Library, and Olin Natural and Environmental Science Library. In addition, we are a member of the Colby-Bates-Bowdoin (CBB) consortium that provides opportunities for collaboration across our respective libraries. 

The ideal candidate will be fearless about rethinking the role and potential of public services in an academic library setting and understands and cares about libraries and recognizes that they are at the heart of academic institutions. We seek someone with a proven track record of work in public and/or access services and a vision for service excellence. This position is an opportunity to work with staff colleagues across the Libraries to imagine and create a future focused teaching, learning, and academic research library in a liberal arts environment. We encourage inquiries from candidates who will contribute to the diversity of our College, including its cultural and ethnic diversity, and who recognize the importance of working within a diverse community of colleagues.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

• Lead and manage a dedicated staff in the continuous improvement and delivery of public services and programs at all library public service points and the storage facility 
• Supervise a staff of 8 employees who coordinate and manage circulation, storage facility, course reserves, stacks maintenance, and resource sharing/ILL 
• Provide leadership and innovation for the public services team while managing human, financial, and other resources to ensure efficient operations 
• Coordinate public services staff development 
• Oversee areas that employ the bulk of the Libraries’ student employees (approximately 100 students in these areas on average) 
• Support hiring, management, and development of student workers, and implement appropriate policies and training 
• Establish strategic priorities (and assessment plans) for public services and implement necessary changes on an iterative basis 
• Provide leadership to evaluate and improve the student employee program in collaboration with staff supervisors to create a cohesive training experience and a code of conduct for student workers 
• Oversee and develop Libraries’ public policies and procedures in collaboration with staff and the director 
• Create consistent and shared documentation that articulates service procedures and workflows 
• Oversee fee collection and material orders for staff and student work and operations 
• Provide ongoing user needs assessment and service quality improvements related to facilities hours and maintenance, security, fines, and collections care 
• Build and sustain relationships with students and the academic community 
• May serve on College and Library committees, as required 
• Compile annual statistics and reports related to above areas of responsibility to both assess services (and recommend changes) and to meet reporting requirements for annual reports and feasibility studies 
• Perform additional duties as assigned; duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice

• Bachelor’s degree or the equivalent in education and experience 
• Demonstrated experience working collaboratively with internal and external parties to identify and resolve issues and adapt to changing priorities 
• Minimum of three years of experience in public services in a library 
• Strong written, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills including a professional, positive and approachable demeanor 
• Service-centered orientation and exceptional problem-solving skills 
• Demonstrated commitment to and/or clearly articulated philosophy on the role of public services in academic libraries 
• Excellent computer skills, including proficiency in MS Office Suite and Google Apps 
• Ability to work independently and as a member of a team, establish priorities, and work collaboratively as a member of a diverse community 
• Recent experience working in an academic library and managing students preferred 
• Experience managing diverse staff and a philosophy about staff management and development is a plus 
• Familiarity with integrated library system software and Innovative Interfaces products preferred 
• Marketing, public relations, and/or graphic design skills helpful 
• Valid driver’s license required and must meet the College’s Fleet Safety Policy requirements

This position has significant interaction with students, faculty, staff, and outside constituencies. This position may also work closely with CBB colleagues as well as colleagues in the Colby Writing Program, Colby Center for Teaching and Learning, Office of Information Technology Services, and the Colby Center for the Arts and Humanities.

General open office and campus environment. Position involves sitting, although frequent movement is necessary. Computer usage involving repetitive hand/wrist motion is also necessary. Occasional nights and weekends required to support department and related College events. Must have the ability to occasional lifting up to 30-50 pounds. 

 

Interested candidates should apply electronically by clicking the “Apply Now” button on the Colby College posting. Please submit a letter of interest including salary requirements, resume, and the contact information of three professional references. Materials should be addressed to: