INDIANA STATE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY

                                                                       

                                                         Position Description

 

 

DATE: 3/1/07

 

DEPARTMENT:  Reference/Instruction

 

POSITION TITLE:  Head of Reference/Instruction Department

 

POSITION SUMMARY:

Reporting to the Dean of the Library, the Head of Reference/Instruction Department has the primary duty of supervising and developing the library reference department (8 faculty, 2 support staff) in all of its functions.  This includes:  managing the uniform activities of reference librarians in liaison and instruction duties and with reference staff input, sets goals, performs evaluations, and coaches performance; developing and implementing outreach programs and services to students, faculty, and community; collaborating with faculty to provide curriculum embedded instruction; overseeing the gathering of information and statistics for use in service improvement; overseeing the print and electronic resource needs of the department; and setting reference staffing policies. 

 

The ideal candidate will be committed to planning and evaluating cutting edge information literacy programs that reflect the varied needs of students; will collaborate with all other library departments in the continuous improvement of library services; serves as a member of the library department heads group.  Participates in day, evening, and weekend reference desk service and serves as a liaison to appropriate department(s).  Provides input on collection issues through membership on the library’s collection management committee.  Recommends new technologies needed for provision of reference services.  Develops and participates in appropriate community engagement activities hosted by the library.  Supports and communicates the vision and goals of the library as articulated by the dean.

 

SUPERVISION RECEIVED:

Reports to and is evaluated by the Dean of the Library.

 

SUPERVISION EXERCISED:

Manages 8 full-time tenured and tenure-track reference faculty and 2 support staff.  Indirectly supervises 4-6 student assistants.

 

MINIMAL ACCEPTABLE QUALIFICATIONS:

·        ALA-accredited MLS or equivalent degree

·        Minimum of 3 years of supervisory experience.

·         Knowledge of emerging trends in reference and instruction library services as well as the ability to demonstrate and communicate those characteristics in a clear and concise manner.

·         Demonstrated excellence in written and oral communication

·       Experience with current and emerging automation and technologies, including PCs, online library systems, web construction, and databases

·       Demonstrated ability to provide a positive vision for the future of reference services and libraries as a whole.

·         Ability to provide leadership in a busy environment of change.

·       Interpersonal skills that allow for active and collegial interaction with peers and a diverse population of library users.

·       Ability to participate fully as a tenure-track faculty member, including service to library, university, and community; professional involvement; and a strong service commitment.

 

ADDITIONAL DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS:

·         Experience in designing, implementing, and managing outreach programs.

·         Second master’s degree.

·         3 years of academic library supervisory experience.

 

TYPICAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1.      Develop short-term and long-term goals for department in consultation with reference personnel and the dean of the library.

2.      Study trends and developments nation-wide in reference and instruction, and implement changes to improve services to patrons.

3.      Serve as primary supervisor for reference, including desk, instruction, liaison work and all reference programs.

4.      Oversee and prioritize the daily operation of the reference department.

5.       Evaluate/coach/mentor reference personnel.

6.      Direct the selection, training, evaluation, and deployment of support staff members and student assistants in the reference department.

7.      Prepare regular and on-demand reports for the reference department, including but not limited to strategic plans, annual goals, and annual reports.

8.       Collaborate collegially and cooperatively with other library department heads.

9.      Serve as liaison to one or more academic departments.

10.  Participate in library-wide planning and governance, library and university committees, and other activities as appropriate.

11.  Perform all other related duties as assigned.

 

SALARY
Competitive - commensurate with experience.

 

APPLICATION
See jobs.indstate.edu  Review of applications begins immediately and will continue until position is filled.

 

ISU is an AA/EEO employer that encourages the applications of women and minority scholars. ISU has a higher percentage of diverse and multicultural students than any other Indiana University.