Director of Libraries, University of Hartford, West Hartford, CT

Posted December 4, 2020

Description:

The University of Hartford invites applications for a new Director of Libraries. The successful candidate will lead with a vision of and plan for the 21st century academic library, setting goals and providing strategic direction to a diverse University community of students, faculty, staff, alumni and neighbors. The Director has responsibility for core library functions and the management of collections to meet the broad range of curricular and research needs of a comprehensive university, emphasizing student-focused learning and exploration and collections management and services in full support of the University’s mission and understanding that the positive and effective execution of these duties are instrumental to the education of the University’s students. Sited at the heart of the University of Hartford campus, which itself straddles the intersection of three very diverse communities—Bloomfield, Hartford, and West Hartford—our newly renovated libraries include the Mortensen Library, with a collection of 450,000 volumes, and the Allen Music Library housing 44,000 musical scores, 25,400 sound recordings and 21,200 books and bound journals on music and dance. Housed within the libraries are the Center for Teaching Excellence and Innovation, the Faculty Center for Learning Development, the Presidents’ College, an in-house Starbucks Café, the University Archives and Special Collections, the van Rooy Center for Complexity, and the Centralized Tutoring Center.

The libraries are closely affiliated with the Information Technology Services, the Greenberg Center for Judaic Studies, all of the seven colleges, Student Government Association, other internal departments, and regional and national library consortia; the new director will have responsibility for collaborations, negotiations, and representation of the libraries within this broad community. The successful candidate for the position will be a forward-thinking, collaborative, and enthusiastic professional with library management, budgetary and fund-raising experience who is capable of providing strategic oversight in all collection development activities, libraries resources and services contracts, and fiscal responsibility. They will evaluate and incorporate evolving information technologies solutions and library information resources and services, working with faculty and librarians to build and sustain effective information literacy programs.

Preferred qualifications include a focus on diversity, equity and social justice, collaborative communication skills, a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century academic library, and an innovative mindset. A Masters in Library Sciences is required; doctorate preferred.

How to Apply:

The original job posting with full description can be found here. Apply using the job portal there.

Candidates with experience and/or expertise in serving diverse constituencies of scholars, students, and community members from under-represented minority groups are particularly encouraged to apply.