Head, Engineering Library

Description

The Pennsylvania State University Libraries invites applications from enterprising, user-oriented professionals for the Head of the Engineering Library. The Head of the Engineering Library will provide leadership in sustaining and enhancing user-centered services and collections on behalf of the Penn State engineering community.  The Head Librarian will be expected to promote visibility of the library and improve outreach to all Penn State user groups requiring access to engineering information resources. Reporting to the Associate Dean for Research, Collections and Scholarly Communications, the Head Librarian will lead a group of innovative and energetic employees (2 engineering librarians, 4 FTE support staff and multiple student assistants) in developing proactive library services and collections, with an emphasis on the integration of emerging technologies, for in-library and remote delivery of resources and services. This is a 12-month tenure-track faculty position, which has concomitant responsibilities for research and service.

In addition to serving as a liaison and resource specialist to selected departments in the College of Engineering, the Head Librarian will also be responsible for providing oversight of the Engineering Library.  Duties associated with this responsibility include active participation in developing the overall Libraries’ strategy for services; developing departmental goals and managing human, space, fiscal, and computer resources to achieve those strategic goals; fostering a working environment in which all Engineering Library employees are encouraged to develop their skills to effectively contribute to library services; managing the Engineering Library reference and instruction programs; furthering the Libraries’ efforts in responding to changes in scholarly communication and research data management; and collaborating with other divisional librarians and department heads to prioritize services and initiatives, plan for their implementation, and set system-wide policies and practices. Additionally, the Head of the Engineering Library will represent Penn State and the University Libraries in relevant regional, national, and international professional and scholarly organizations and meetings.

Qualifications: 
Requires a Master of Library Science degree from an ALA-accredited institution (or equivalent); academic background in engineering or a related area, or relevant academic or special library experience; professional library work in engineering or the physical sciences; broad familiarity with engineering and computer science literature including major print and electronic sources and databases; demonstrated successful leadership and strategic planning ability; excellent communication and interpersonal skills; and an ability to work effectively in a rapidly changing environment.

Preferred Qualifications:
Experience in managing a branch library or library departmental operation; experience supervising professional librarians and library support staff; experience with developing print and digital collections and managing an acquisitions budget; and demonstrated success reaching out to and working collaboratively with all levels of users and staff, across all functions of the library system.

Environment:
The College of Engineering has 12 departments and schools offering undergraduate and graduate degrees in a broad spectrum of engineering disciplines and computer science, and over 30 research centers and laboratories. Undergraduate enrollment stands at well over 10,000 students, with graduate enrollment numbers close to 1,500, employing over 250 faculty. All academic departments offer degrees through the doctoral level and most are ranked in the top twenty nationally.

The University Libraries is ranked among the top ten research libraries in North America, according to the Association for Research Libraries investment rankings, and provides services at University Park and 22 other locations throughout Pennsylvania as well as online. We serve approximately 6,300 faculty and 46,000 students at University Park, and more than 95,000 students university-wide.  Over 100 faculty librarians in the University Libraries benefit from extensive technological resources and research support services. Penn State, a land-grant institution, is a member of the Big Ten Academic Alliance. The University Park campus is set in the State College metropolitan area, a university town located in central Pennsylvania. State College offers a vibrant community with outstanding recreational facilities, a low crime rate, and excellent public schools. The campus is within a half-day drive to Washington D.C., Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York City, or Pittsburgh. The University Park Airport is served by three major carriers with flights to Washington D.C., Philadelphia, Chicago and Detroit. For more information, please visit http://www.libraries.psu.edu and http://www.cbicc.org.

Compensation: Rank and salary are dependent upon qualifications and experience. Fringe benefits include liberal vacation, excellent insurance and health care coverage, state or TIAA retirement options, and educational privileges. In addition, faculty in the University Libraries are afforded funds for professional development travel annually. Faculty may be asked to travel as official representatives of the Libraries to certain events and those trips are reimbursed at full cost within limits established by the University.

Applications and all supporting materials must be submitted online.  To apply, please visit https://libraries.psu.edu/engineeringheadlibr.   To be considered for the position, interested candidates should upload a letter of application, resume or C.V., and the names and contact information of three professional references (including email addresses).   Review of applications will begin August 22, 2016 and continue until position is filled.  Questions may be addressed to Lindsey Harter, Faculty Search Coordinator, at lap225@psu.edu.

Employment will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies. 

Penn State is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer, and is committed to providing employment opportunities to minorities, women, veterans, disabled individuals, and other protected groups.

CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS:  For more about safety at Penn State, and to review the Annual Security Report which contains information about crime statistics and other safety and security matters, please go to www.police.psu.edu/clery/, which will also provide you with detail on how to request a hard copy of the Annual Security Report.