Dean of Library Services, Western Carolina University
From: Katy Ginanni <ksginanni_at_email.wcu.edu>
DEAN OF LIBRARY SERVICES
WCU invites applications and nominations for the Dean of Library
Services. The dean is the chief administrative and academic officer of
WCU's university library. The position offers tenure and faculty rank of
full professor. Reporting to the provost, the dean will provide
visionary leadership and energetically promote and find support for the
mission of the university library. The successful candidate will be an
active academic leader and play a vital role in fulfilling the
university's mission in teaching, scholarship, and service. The dean
serves on the Board of Directors of the Western North Carolina Library
Network, a regional library consortium, and on the University Library
Advisory Council of the University of North Carolina system.
SCOPE OF RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Support the university's strategic vision to adopt an educational
model of engaged learning with service to the region
2. Provide leadership in the management of the library including
resource development and the recruitment, supervision, and appointment
of staff and faculty
3. Promote and advocate for the library, both within the university and
at a state and regional level
4. Coordinate collaborative efforts in strategic planning
5. Plan and oversee library facilities to maintain an integral library
presence within the university community
6. Develop, allocate, and manage the library budget
7. Initiate development and facilitate grants to further support the
library's programs
8. Oversee the assessment of library services and collections
9. Facilitate active staff development
10. Advise and lead the library faculty in the tenure, promotion, and
reappointment processes
11. Supervise the librarys leadership team comprised of the associate
dean and three department chairs
The University
Western Carolina University (WCU) is an enrollment growth campus within
the University of North Carolina system and is situated in a beautiful
valley of the Blue Ridge Mountains, west of Asheville and near the Great
Smoky Mountains National Park. While in a rural setting, the university
is one hour from Asheville, and only three hours from Atlanta and
Charlotte.
WCUs mission is to improve individual lives and enhance economic and
community development in our region, state, and nation through engaged
learning opportunities in our academic programs, educational outreach,
research, and creative and cultural activities. The university library
is at the core of this mission and the universitys strategic plan
(adopted in 2012).
The university serves more than 10,000 students from almost every state
in the United States and over 30 countries via its 600-acre main campus
in Cullowhee, NC; its instructional sites in Asheville and Cherokee; and
the Internet. WCU offers over 120 areas of study for undergraduates and
more than 50 graduate-level programs. The Commission on Colleges of the
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools accredits WCU to award
baccalaureate, masters, education specialist, and doctoral degrees. The
university also holds 30 program accreditations and is a member of more
than 50 state and national associations and organizations to which its
professional programs are related. WCU has 483 full-time faculty
members; 75 percent hold doctoral or terminal degrees. More than 82
percent of the classes have fewer than 40 students and the
student-faculty ratio is 16-to-1; the institution continues its
historical, primary dedication to educating students.
A Carnegie Engaged university, WCU has important educational and
service connections to the Western North Carolina region. This region
of the Southern Appalachians is famous for the Eastern Band of the
Cherokee reservation (the largest east of the Mississippi), the Great
Smoky Mountains National Park (one of the most popular parks in the US),
the Blue Ridge Parkway, and Asheville, a tourist-destination city known
for such attractions as the Biltmore House, Thomas Wolfe's Old Kentucky
Home, the Grove Park Inn, and for its excellence in Arts and Crafts (and
craft beer!).
The Library
The university library is housed in Hunter Library on the WCU campus and
extends services to distance education and instructional sites in
Asheville and Cherokee. WCUs library has a long, respected record of
providing excellent service to the university community. Library staff
are dedicated to the thoughtful integration of print and digital
resources and to supporting the information literacy development of
students and the teaching and research needs of faculty.
The library has three departments comprised of 19 faculty and 30 staff
members. The annual budget is approximately $4 million. The collection
includes approximately 610,000 print and 455,000 e-books and provides
access to more than 62,000 journals; the library has 11 digital
collections. The library provides support across the university for open
access, data management, and work in the digital humanities.
Required Qualifications:
M.L.S. or equivalent terminal degree from an A.L.A.-
accredited program with a record of professional and scholarly
experience to qualify for tenure at the rank of professor
History of progressively more responsible leadership positions
in academic libraries
Experience as a strong advocate of a university library as the
core of the academic enterprise
Experience with budgeting and financial management
Experience pursuing external funding through grants and/or
private fundraising
Commitment to an active staff development program, including
support of tenure-track faculty
Experience building consensus, engaging in transparent
decision-making, fostering a collegial working environment, and working
effectively with a variety of constituencies
Dedication to service and the librarys role in teaching and
learning
Well-developed interpersonal skills, including a clear and
open communication style
Understanding of information technology as it relates to
library services and instructional support
Preferred Qualifications:
Strong record of success in developing and implementing
flexible approaches or innovations amid changes in scholarly communication
Experience with the operations and goals of a regional
comprehensive university
Experience with tenure processes, especially mentoring tenured
and tenure-track faculty
Applications Procedures:
Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications. The position
is available upon completion of the search, with a desired start date of
June 1, 2015. Review of applications will begin on February 23.
Nominations of potential candidates are welcome. Please send
nominations to Dr. Brian Railsback, Dean of the Honors College,
brailsba_at_wcu.edu, or 828-227-2101.
Candidates are asked to apply online at:
https://jobs.wcu.edu/applicants/Central?quickFind=53736. Please attach:
1) CV, 2) list of at least 3 references (include names and telephone
numbers). For more information, contact Dr. Brian Railsback, Dean of the
Honors College,brailsba_at_wcu.edu, or 828-227-2101.
An Equal Opportunity/Access/Affirmative Action/Pro Disabled & Veteran
Employer.
Received on Fri Jan 30 2015 - 03:01:35 EST