Director of Information and Instruction Services, University of Vermont Libraries (Burlington, VT)

Posted September 17, 2024

The University of Vermont Libraries seek a user-oriented, innovative, collaborative, and experienced professional to serve as the Director of the Information and Instruction Services Department. The Director provides visionary leadership, fosters a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere, facilitates communication and collaboration, and identifies opportunities to expand program strengths.

Competitive candidates will speak fluently and from experience about pedagogy and curricular development, including the ways libraries can work with colleges, schools, and departments to identify research skills expected of majors and facilitate the development of plans with disciplinary faculty to embed and teach those skills in relevant curricula.

The work of the Information and Instruction Services Department includes reference, research assistance, instruction, liaison, and outreach services for the University community and all library users. The Department also works collaboratively with other units in the Libraries to maintain reference, government information, and maps collections; it has significant roles in collection development and communications. This person provides leadership, planning, coordination, direction, and supervision for the Department’s services and its team of 9 faculty positions.

The position reports to the Dean of Libraries and works collaboratively across UVM’s three libraries: Howe Library, Dana Health Sciences Library, and Silver Special Collections Library. This position provides leadership in the Libraries’ planning and operations as a member of the Dean’s Council. Librarians at the University of Vermont hold faculty appointments without tenure. As such, librarians are expected to perform in three areas: Librarianship, Scholarly and Creative Activity, and Service. Rank at time of initial hire and promotions are based upon performance in all three areas.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Provides vision and leads in collaboratively establishing and advocating for department goals, priorities, and policies in alignment with the University Libraries’ and the University’s strategic initiatives.
Develops and leads the Department through overall administration and continuous improvement of its services, based on strategic priorities, analysis of user needs, and knowledge of professional best practices. Services include reference, research assistance, instruction, liaison work, and outreach.
Facilitates strategic integration of information literacy into UVM curricula in collaboration with campus partners.
Works with department faculty, library colleagues and others to design and implement initiatives, services and working practices that advance diversity, equity, and inclusion values that align with the Libraries’ plan for inclusive excellence.
Builds and fosters development of effective partnerships and outreach with appropriate on- and off-campus units, programs, and faculty.
Mentors library faculty in their professional growth and career progression, with attention to skills and networking that support instruction, scholarship, and service. Participates in providing reference services, instructional services, and other department services. 
Works with Collection Management Services in developing and managing the general circulating, reference, government information, and maps collections.
Collaborates with other Libraries units on library operations.
Facilitates inclusive and participatory decision-making processes.
Continually assesses the effectiveness of Department services and interprets and articulates the impact of library instruction to diverse audiences across campus.
Engages in and contributes to the profession with scholarship, creative activity, and service related to professional and scholarly interests through publications, presentations, and committee work at local, state, regional, and national levels.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Master’s degree (M.L.S., M.S., or M.A. in Library or Information Science, or other variation) from a program accredited by the American Library Association or the equivalent professional credential in librarianship. Those who have a Master’s degree or PhD in another field and have completed a formal program providing training as a librarian, combined with at least one year of experience in a professional role as an academic librarian, may also be eligible.
Minimum five years of experience in a college, university, or research library, including reference and instruction.
Extensive experience in, and knowledge of, the practice of library information and instruction services; and fluency in information literacy theory and pedagogy.
Demonstrated management, leadership, and supervisory experience with increasing levels of responsibility over time.
Demonstrated experience building and managing collaborative and collegial relationships.
Demonstrated effective oral, written, listening, and interpersonal skills.
Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility; awareness and understanding of diverse thought, cultures, race, religion, gender, and other differences.
A record of librarianship, scholarship and service that warrants appointment at the rank of Library Associate Professor or Library Professor.

We seek candidates who will contribute to the Libraries’ Inclusive Excellence Plan, a plan that embraces UVM’s Our Common Ground, the ACRL Diversity Standards, and fundamental principles of intellectual freedom embodied in UVM’s statement on Academic Freedom, the ACRL Statement on Academic Freedom, and the AAUP Statement of Principles on Academic Freedom and Tenure. The Libraries have committed themselves to building collections that serve an increasingly diverse curriculum, to affirming all persons and supporting all intellectually rigorous thought and traditions, to building the most diverse recruitment pools possible, to creating mentorship opportunities for colleagues, and to making our services and spaces accessible and welcoming to all.

APPOINTMENT, SALARY, BENEFITS:

The Director has a primary appointment as an academic administrator and a secondary appointment as a Library Faculty member. Library Directors have a record of librarianship, scholarship, and service appropriate for an appointment at the rank of Library Associate Professor or above. The salary range for this position is $100,000 – $130,000. Library Faculty are not eligible for tenure.

Generous benefits package includes: TIAA/CREF (or alternative plan), professional development, managed health care plan, and 22 days of annual leave.

INCLUSIVE EXCELLENCE STATEMENT:

Provide a statement on how, as Faculty and Director of the Instruction and Information Services department in the University Libraries, you would enhance the impact of Our Common Ground Values, and advance diversity and inclusive excellence at UVM. (limit 250 words)

How to Apply

For further details about this position and to apply online, please visit our website at: http://www.uvmjobs.com and reference posting number F3189PO. In addition to the online application, candidates are required to submit the following four documents: cover letter, curriculum vitae, diversity and inclusive excellence statement, and a list of three references.

The search will remain open until the position is filled. For best consideration, complete applications should be received no later than October 11, 2024. For additional information, please contact search co-chairs Laurie Kutner ([email protected]) and Graham Sherriff ([email protected]).