Director, Fleet Library, RISD, Providence, RI

Posted December 12, 2023

Job Summary
Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) invites applications from experienced, collaborative, creative and equity minded candidates for the Director of Fleet Library. Reporting to the Dean of Libraries, the library director provides leadership and day-to-day oversight for a department of 20 employees, including librarians, archivists and staff working across six areas: Circulation, Research & Instruction, Technical Services, Visual & Material Resources, Special Collections and RISD Archives.

The position serves a critical role in fulfilling RISD’s educational mission by ensuring library services, collections (digital and analog), facilities, programs and staffing fully support the curricular, creative and research activities of the college and RISD Museum in alignment with RISD’s strategic plan, RISD Next: 2020-2027, and other institutional priorities.

The successful candidate will thrive in a campus environment that is committed to advancing the principles of social equity and inclusion, environmental and climate justice and equal access to resources and opportunities.

Essential Functions:

Strategic Planning

The Director of Fleet Library contributes to the collaborative development and ensures the implementation of short- and long-term objectives that advance the library’s mission and align with college-wide strategic priorities, including social equity and inclusion, environmental sustainability and advancement of research in art & design.

Library Services

With an inclusive lens, the director demonstrates a commitment to the highest level of public service, encompassing everything from instruction to the accessibility of resources, information and spaces, in support of teaching, learning, research and other forms of inquiry across campus in studio and non-studio contexts.

Collections

Through regular collection analyses and consultation with librarians, archivists, library staff and faculty, the director develops general goals and specific benchmarks for the development and management of the library’s print, material and electronic resources in support of RISD’s curriculum, mission and strategic plan and in accordance with the library’s mission, Collections Development and Management Policy (CDMP), SEI Action Plan and RISD Archives mission statement. ,

Technology

The director continuously evaluates technology use and needs across the library and, in consultation with librarians, archivists, staff and RISD’s IT Services, recommends and oversees implementation of improvements.

Facilities

Working with area teams and the Administrative Coordinator for the Libraries Division, the director ensures library spaces are developed and maintained in the best possible conditions for the preservation of collections and safe and secure access for employees and library patrons.

Communications and Outreach

Serving as chief communications officer for the library, the director is responsible for high-level oversight of outreach initiatives and for keeping both the library team and the campus regularly informed about library activities.

Personnel

The director hires, trains, supervises, mentors and evaluates the librarians and administrative staff. They promote the development of professional skills across all library teams and develop a sense of shared ownership in both day-to-day operations and strategic projects.

Policies and Procedures

The director facilitates the regular and collaborative review, revision, documentation and communication of library policies and procedures.

Budget

The director helps to develop, and manages, the library’s operating budget in regular consultation with the Dean of Libraries, the Assistant Director for Access Services and the Director of Academic Budgets (Academic Affairs). They work with other library employees to monitor and adjust annual allocations as needed, anticipate extraordinary expenses and capital needs, identify available funds and ensure funds are spent responsibly and in accordance with all RISD financial policies and procedures.

Required Knowledge/Skills/Experience
●   ALA accredited MLIS (Master’s of Library and Information Science) required.
●   Minimum of five (5) years’ in a senior library leadership position in an academic setting, including supervision of librarians and library staff.
●   Evaluation experience and proven success with staff development and mentoring.
●   Ability to foster a cohesive team environment, maintain open dialogue among teams and sustain productive and supportive working relationships.
●   Excellent written, verbal, interpersonal and presentation skills.
●   Experience managing library marketing and outreach initiatives.
●   Demonstrated commitment to offering equitable and accessible library services.
●   Significant experience in development, assessment and management of library collections.
●   Evidence of data-driven decision making and creative and innovative problem-solving.
●   Experience with integrated library systems (Sierra preferred).
●   Experience with data-driven technology assessment and implementation/migration of major library technology (e.g. website, ILS, institutional repository, or other critical tools).
●   Experience in budget and facilities management.
●   Commitment to serving the needs and interests of a diverse, creative population of students, faculty, and staff.

Preferred Knowledge/Skills/Experience
●   Knowledge and understanding of key issues and trends in art and design schools and academic museums.
●   Active participation in professional organizations.
●   Demonstrated understanding of and experience developing and supervising a wide range of library operations, including access and tech services, research instruction, distinctive collections and archives.
●   Experience with other specialized library software (e.g., AEON, ArchivesSpace, LibGuides, institutional repositories/Digital Commons, JSTOR Collections).
●   Conflict resolution and mediation experience.
●   Proficiency with productivity, learning management, and creative software commonly used in higher education (e.g., Google Workspace, Canvas, Slack, Asana, Notion, Miro, Adobe Creative Suite).

Union:

Work Schedule:

35 hours per week; 12 months per year

Employment Status:

Full-time; Exempt

How to Apply:

apply on workday using the link below:

https://risd.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/RISD/job/Director–Fleet-Library_R-01324-2