Associate Dean for Special Collections

Description

The Associate Dean for Special Collections is a tenured, twelve-month faculty appointment at the rank of Associate Librarian / Associate Professor or Librarian / Professor.

The University of Arkansas, a Research 1 institution, and the flagship campus for the state, is seeking an Associate Dean for Special Collections to join its Libraries team and help advance the University’s mission as a public land-grant institution. The University and the Libraries are experiencing much growth and are thriving, along with the Northwest Arkansas area. The Libraries are contributing to the University’s strategic plan in creating a culture of student success, research excellence, and an employer of choice. Special Collections is very much a part of this initiative, and the Associate Dean will have opportunities through its dedicated spaces undoing a major renovation.
Reporting to the Dean of Libraries, the Associate Dean for Special Collections will play a critical role in supporting the evolution of a 21st century research library at the University. As a member of the Libraries’ Administrative Group, the Associate Dean works collaboratively to develop and achieve the Libraries’ strategic goals. In addition, the Associate Dean will provide leadership for organizational assessment efforts for the Libraries.

The Associate Dean will lead the Special Collections division, which is comprised of manuscript collections, rare books, architecture collections, and University Archives, in the development of strategic plans, generate national and international interest in the collections, and will work collaboratively with other organizations in the nation to enhance the availability of archived materials. The winning candidate will lead a team of 5 faculty and 10 staff.

Primary responsibilities include articulating a strategic focus to achieve the Division’s and Libraries’ goals and priorities; anticipating, initiating, and responding to changes in the academic programs and the University environment; structuring the collections to meet the information needs of the University; and ensuring that the Division maintains a strong commitment to excellent customer service. The Associate Dean also facilitates the integration of research and teaching through collaborations with University departments and programs, collaborates with colleagues to advance digital initiatives, actively contributes to library-wide planning and efforts, and represents the Libraries in relevant local, regional, national, and international organizations. This position is based in the University Libraries on the Fayetteville, Arkansas campus.

Responsibilities of this position include research, creative work, and service in keeping with the faculty requirements of the University of Arkansas.

Regular, reliable, and non-disruptive attendance is an essential job duty, as is the ability to create and maintain collegial, harmonious working relationships with others.