Position Description

Dean of University Libraries
Job Department/School University Libraries
FT/PT/Temp Full time
Location Garden City, N.Y.
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Dean

University Libraries

 

Adelphi University invites nominations and applications for the position of dean of University Libraries. We seek a proven, inspirational and collaborative leader capable of bringing a bold, creative vision as well as strong organizational and management skills to the position.

Adelphi University, New York, is a highly awarded, nationally ranked, powerfully connected doctoral research university dedicated to transforming students’ lives through small classes with world-class faculty, hands-on learning and innovative ways to support academic and career success. Adelphi offers exceptional liberal arts and sciences programs and professional training, with particular strength in our Core Four—Arts and Humanities, STEM and Social Sciences, the Business and Education Professions, and Health and Wellness. Recognized as a Best College by U.S. News & World Report, Adelphi is Long Island’s oldest private coeducational university, serving more than 7,250 students at its beautiful main campus in Garden City, at learning hubs in Manhattan, the Hudson Valley and Suffolk County, and online. The University offers students 79 undergraduate programs, more than 84 master’s degree and doctoral programs, and 63 certificate programs in the liberal arts, the sciences and professional training. With powerful partnerships throughout the New York area, more than 119,000 graduates across the country, a growing enrollment of students from 43 states and 72 countries, and rising rankings from top publications and organizations, Adelphi is a dynamic community that plays a leadership role on Long Island and in the region.

University Libraries

Adelphi University Libraries are composed of Swirbul Library, Adelphi’s main library located on the Garden City campus, and library facilities located at its extension centers in New York City, Hauppauge, and Hudson Valley. The Libraries provide education, information resources, services, and facilities that advance teaching, learning, research and creative activity. As an academic department of the University, Adelphi University Libraries educate our community in the effective discovery, evaluation and use of information resources, and conduct research that informs our practice.

The University Libraries provide extensive access to online resources and print materials, and over 70 special collections, including the Adelphi University Archives and Adelphi University Art Collection. The Libraries also maintain Scholarly Works, Adelphi’s institutional repository, and recently launched an open access digital publishing program for scholarly and student work. Every academic department has a library faculty liaison; they are available to assist faculty in obtaining and locating resources, planning student assignments, consulting individually with students, and teaching classes in the use and evaluation of resources.

The University Libraries are an invaluable resource to the Adelphi community and have remained so by continuously adapting to the academic and research requirements of each new generation of students.

Dean, University Libraries—Position Summary and Priorities

Reporting to the Provost, the Dean of University Libraries is responsible and accountable for directing all activities of the institution’s libraries.  The dean of the University Libraries will provide academic and administrative leadership and support for the libraries’ resources, services and programs. The dean will lead while working in a spirit of shared governance with library faculty in defining and developing the libraries’ goals, policies and practices. They will play a key role in implementing the University’s long-range strategic vision defined within Momentum 2: The Strategic Plan for Adelphi University, 2022–2027—most notably, Adelphi’s focus on academic excellence and its relentless dedication to student success.

The next dean of the University Libraries will have the charge to make a significant and lasting impact on the University Libraries’ future. Specific priorities for the next dean of the University Libraries include, but are not limited to: 

  • Providing expert leadership and strategic vision to help Adelphi University Libraries maintain and expand its role as a physical, digital and intellectual hub of innovation and collaboration for the University; navigate the dynamic and ever-evolving landscape of academic library services and programs; demonstrate value and accountability through rigorous assessment, and meet the critical challenges associated with managing, and making discoverable and accessible, information sources across mediums, formats and modes of delivery to ensure the Adelphi community of faculty, students and staff have the resources, tools and research support necessary to fulfill the university’s mission of academic and scholarly excellence.
  • Working with faculty and academic leadership across campus to thoughtfully integrate information literacy skills into curricular and co-curricular learning experiences at the undergraduate and graduate level
  • Working with faculty and academic leadership to identify ways of supporting faculty and student research, open access publishing, and thinking innovatively to design and implement strategies for achieving this goal
  • Leading the University Libraries in providing Adelphi students with the necessary resources to help them maximize their learning in all formats, including distance and online education

Desired Qualities and Qualifications

The next Dean of Libraries for Adelphi University will meet the requirements for Full Professor, including having a Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) or equivalent degree from an ALA-accredited program. To best serve Adelphi University, and to provide leadership and vision for the Libraries, the ideal candidate will possess many of the following qualities and qualifications:

Leadership:

  • A record of progressively responsible academic and administrative leadership roles in higher education libraries including demonstrated ability managing a complex academic organization and effectively interacting with faculty, staff, students and external constituents
  • Visionary leadership skills with a track record of implementing lasting change and the ability to set challenging yet attainable goals and priorities, work with and inspire others to high levels of professional achievement, leverage ideas into action and lead and navigate as the University grows
  • Experience with library support of undergraduate and graduate liberal arts, professional, and graduate education
  • The ability to make appropriate connections and build synergies; an open and creative approach to problem solving, with a willingness to address issues collaboratively
  • Strong communication and perceptive interpersonal skills, including excellent oral and written communication skills, empathy and the ability to express respect for diverse viewpoints
  • Demonstrated commitment to cultural diversity, affirmative action/equal opportunity and achievement in increasing campus diversity 

Experience/Knowledge in the Field:

  • Familiarity with evolving perceptions and global trends, including artificial intelligence, related to University Libraries and related resources and services
  • Strong academic, research and/or creative scholarship and experience in the library field
  • Experience working across disciplines and a demonstrated understanding of the variety of resources necessary to support a diverse array of teaching and learning activities within the University
  • Demonstrated ability to develop and execute an institutional agenda for the University Libraries, and to ensure that the University Libraries keep pace with best practices both internal and external to the University
  • Ability to build upon the Libraries’ growing support  for data management, literacy, and preservation
  • Experience with accrediting bodies, both regional and specialized, and the role and responsibilities of the University Libraries with regard to institutional accreditation
  • Experience with library faculty in their role as educators, scholars and academic collaborators supporting scholarship, teaching, and learning; experience with the evaluation of faculty for appointment, award of tenure and promotion
  • Demonstrated understanding of the role of technology in the contemporary academic library in terms of resources, services and information literacy
  • Experience collaborating with leadership in advancement and fundraising offices to acquire funding to support all facets of the library
  • Understanding of the evolving physical plant and infrastructure development issues for a modern university library
  • Willingness to foster strategic collaborations with other institutions, organizations and consortia to expand the reach of the University Libraries’ resources for the Adelphi community, particularly to support specialized faculty and student research
  • Ability to develop and implement strategic plans, act as an advocate for these initiatives and serve as the primary communicator of the libraries’ vision to the Adelphi community

Collaboration, Management and Organizational Skills:

  • Evidence of excellent organizational skills and organizational development skills including a clear sense of goals, timeliness and transparency
  • Demonstrated ability to contribute to the recruitment, hiring and retention process for library faculty in a shared governance environment
  • Evidence of an effective management style that delegates authority, empowers staff and sets high expectations
  • The resolve to confront challenges and make difficult decisions, negotiate conflicts and demonstrate and promote integrity and high ethical standards within the institution
  • Ability to work in a student-centered environment and interact effectively with a variety of constituents on and off campus
  • Administrative acumen, including knowledge of financial planning and budgets, strategic planning and implementation
  • Collaborative skills in teaming with colleagues and working with a unionized faculty, as well as with unionized staff; ability to work collegially across the institution, build relationships and motivate, mobilize and energize others to work together
  • Ability to work with the provost and fellow deans on the formulation of a vision, policies and implementation to ensure that the libraries will meet the University’s educational, research and administrative goals
  • Dedication to faculty engagement and shared governance; willingness to engage in thoughtful discussion with faculty to envision and implement institutional change; a commitment to support faculty efforts in scholarship, creative work and teaching

Successful candidates will demonstrate care and respect for all individuals within the University and its communities; value and exhibit honest and ethical behavior; and be willing to listen to and consider differing points of view. 

Information for Candidates

This position is anticipated to begin in the Summer of 2025.

In compliance with New York’s Pay Transparency Act, the annual base salary range for this position is $185,000 - $210,000. Adelphi University considers factors such as departmental budgets, scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, as well as market and organizational considerations when extending an offer. The above hiring range represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting. An annual base salary higher than the range may be warranted in circumstances where a candidate has demonstrable equivalent prior higher education experience at another University.

Adelphi University provides a comprehensive benefit package for faculty and staff employees. For a list of benefits provided to employees, please click here.

For best consideration, please send all nominations, inquiries, expressions of interest, completed applications, including a cover letter and curriculum vitae, in confidence electronically to the search committee: AdelphiDeanLibraries@adelphi.edu.

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Adelphi University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. We welcome applications from all candidates, including people of color and those who are, or identify as, members of any marginalized, underserved or underrepresented group. Adelphi is an emerging Hispanic serving institution so bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply. Here is our University statement on diversity: https://www.adelphi.edu/diversity-equity-inclusion/about/.