Associate Director for the Digital Library

Description

The NCSU Libraries has a well-earned reputation for creating adventurous library spaces and innovative services that delight today’s students and researchers. The award-winning James B. Hunt Jr. Library, opened in 2013 on NC State’s Centennial Campus, offers faculty and students access to advanced technologies such as large-scale visualization, simulated environments, 3D imagery, and interactive computing that are enabling revolutionary ways to see and use information. An iconic building that captures NC State’s spirit of innovation in education and research, the Hunt Library is recognized as one of the world’s most creative learning and collaborative spaces and a model for “the library of the future”. The D. H. Hill Library combines the best of tradition and innovation, housing special collections and a beautiful gallery alongside vibrant, experiential spaces such as the Learning Commons, Technology Sandbox, Visualization Studio, and Makerspace. Plans for the future include continued development of technology-rich spaces to bring advanced capabilities to users of the Hill Library. If you are a person who would like to provide a new generation of library users with everything they can imagine and more, consider applying for this position.

The NCSU Libraries invites applications and nominations for the position of Associate Director for the Digital Library. The Associate Director plays a leading role in shaping the future of the NCSU Libraries as an essential competitive advantage for learning and research. With administrative responsibility for digital library strategy and technology in one of the nation’s most forward-thinking libraries, s/he leads in creating a cutting-edge environment that enables students, faculty, and researchers to discover and create new knowledge and develop multidisciplinary solutions to contemporary problems. The Associate Director is a member of the senior administrative team, reporting to the Director of Libraries.

Responsibilities:
The Associate Director for the Digital Library provides vision and leadership for information technology; resource management and discovery; and digital projects and associated research and development. The position serves as administrator for three departments: Information Technology (23 FTE), Acquisitions & Discovery (24 FTE), and Digital Library Initiatives (11 FTE). The Digital Library Division designs, develops, manages, and maintains a flexible, reliable, and innovative technology environment that enables access to research collections and facilitates user-centered services, along with a robust computing and data storage infrastructure that supports the library as both repository and research platform, both physically and virtually.

This position collaborates with the university’s Office of Information Technology and with Distance Education and Learning Technology Applications, participates in the university’s collaborative IT governance structure, and builds relationships with other research and technology partners. S/he represents the NCSU Libraries in the Triangle Research Libraries Network, national forums, and international initiatives, and seeks opportunities for partnerships with university faculty and external organizations, including sponsored research. Current projects include leading the Global Open Knowledgebase (GOKb) initiative, a Mellon-funded, multi-institutional collaboration with partners from the United States and Europe to build and share an open dataset of electronic resources information to benefit the library community at large. As a member of the Libraries’ senior administrative team, the Associate Director participates in library planning, policy development, resource allocation, and personnel management. NCSU librarians are expected to be active professionally and to contribute to developments in the field.

Departmental Required Skills

• ALA-accredited MLS or equivalent advanced degree in a relevant field.
• At least 7 years progressively responsible, relevant professional experience
• Significant, successful management and leadership experience, including budget management
• A thorough understanding of technology in higher education and the library’s role at a forward-looking research university
• Skill in advancing digital initiatives and information technology services
• Excellent interpersonal skills; ability to communicate clearly, knowledgeably, and personably, orally and in writing
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and effectively with others in a fast-paced environment
• Strong analytical skills; ability to set priorities effectively and resolve competing demands
• Demonstrated record of ongoing professional development