Director, Library Services

The Director, Library Services is responsible for leading the College of The Albemarle's library services at all college locations in its missions to be a dynamic and innovative resource hub for students, faculty, and staff. This includes managing library staff, budgets, and resources as well as coordinating, directing and supervising strategic initiatives, both physical and virtual. The Director, Library Services will focus on supporting academic success by incorporating technology, expanding access to information and resources, promoting information and digital literacy, creating flexible learning environments, and supporting diverse learning needs. Working closely with campus-wide and community partners, the Director, Library Services will ensure the library adapts to modern needs and remains a center for discovery, creativity, and collaboration.

The Director, Library Services receives supervision from the Vice President, Learning.Leadership and Vision:

• Transform the library into a flexible, technology-enhanced learning environment that serves diverse and modern learning needs.
• Establish spaces that foster collaboration, creativity, and focus.
• Provide a range of learning tools that meet today's academic and workforce demands.
• Develop long-range plans and goals for the enhancement of services, resources, and facilities and ensure that those goals and plans align with the college's strategic plan and mission.
• Stay informed of trends in academic libraries, such as digital transformation, student-centered services, information literacy, digital literacy, library of things, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and inclusive practices. Lead the adoption of these trends at COA, ensuring the library remains relevant and supportive of student success.
• Position the library as a central space on campus where students, faculty, and staff feel welcome, inspired, and supported in their academic and personal growth.

Increase Access to Resources and Collections:

• Work with faculty and staff to use data-informed decision-making to develop and oversee a balanced collection of digital and physical resources, ensuring they meet current educational needs and are accessible to all students.
• Prioritize Open Educational Resources (OER) to reduce textbook costs and enhance learning access.
• Develop an inventory system to ensure all books and resources are properly monitored and maintained, including e-books, online databases, and technology lending services.
• Order appropriate materials as needed.
• Develop and implement collection and disposal systems for library materials.
• Serve as Integrated Library System (ILS) administrator.

Support Academic Success:

• Partner with faculty and staff to integrate library resources into the curriculum as well as extra-curricular events, promoting effective research skills and critical thinking among students.
• Provide faculty and staff with professional development resources and instructional support, fostering innovative teaching and coaching practices that make use of the library's resources and technology.
• Provide library instruction and orientations when needed.
• Design and provide programs enhancing the use of AI, digital tools, and digital resources across disciplines and within interdisciplinary activities.
• Stay abreast of emerging educational and generative AI technologies relevant to library services and campus academic programs.
• Participate in and support research projects related to educational technology and generative AI.

Outreach, Engagement, and Relationships:

• Promote library services as a vital part of the College to students, faculty, and staff.
• Coordinate with other Learning Commons departments, campus division, and the broader community on programming opportunities.
• Maintain balance of academic and extracurricular programs.
• Collaborate with the Department of Communications and Marketing to develop promotional materials, update and maintain library webpage(s), and manage library social media.
• Assess, evaluate, and report on marketing efforts and programs and related outreach activities.
• Evaluate effectiveness of existing services through data analysis and identify areas of improvement.
• Use data and evidenced research to inform new services and initiatives that meet the demands of a diverse student and faculty population.
• Build partnerships with the community public library systems, local education agencies, and community organizations to expand library programming and resources. Develop initiatives like shared programs, book exchanges, and community events that benefit both students and residents of the community.
• Participate and represent COA in local, state, and national library organizations, when appropriate and funds permit.

Administrative Duties:

• Oversee various routine library activities; check materials in and out; participate in the collection of fines and fees; maintain records of user accounts and library items.
• Implement and manage policies and procedures for the library while also interpreting and applying college policies and procedures on a daily basis.
• Assume responsibility for the library facilities and all library operations on the Elizabeth City, Dare, Currituck, and Edenton-Chowan campus locations.
• Supervise and mentor library staff, creating opportunities for their professional growth and encouraging a student-centered culture and a growth mindset.
• Ensure that all library staff are trained in the latest technologies, ILS, student support, and related practices to better serve the evolving needs of students, faculty, and community members.
• Cooperate as a team member with the library services staff in performing any duties essential to efficient library operations.
• Attend seminars and training sessions to improve or update position-oriented skills and knowledge, when appropriate and funds permit.
• Participate in appropriate committees and task forces as assigned.
• Work with library staff to develop library goals, objectives, and methods for achieving the mission of the library.
• Manage and coordinate library staff, conduct annual performance evaluations, and foster a cohesive library staff that provide professional assistance to all patrons.
• Oversee the library budget to align resources with the college's strategic plan and mission, supporting sustainable innovative services, technology integration, and future growth. Manage expenditures, planning for new programming, managing staffing requirements, and reviewing vendor contracts regularly.
• Collect statistical data concerning library operations. Provide data to college administrators upon request.
• Monitor workflow; review and evaluate work products, methods and procedures.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required:

• Master's degree in Library Science, or its equivalent, from a graduate program accredited by the American Library Association.

Preferred:

• At least 3 years of increasingly responsible academic library experience, including at least one year of experience in the supervision of library paraprofessionals and other library staff.
• Experience with public services and curriculum-driven collection development.
• Once hired, the Director, Library Services will be required to obtain proctor certifications in a testing center environment.

The following knowledge, skills, and abilities will aid in a candidate's ability to perform this role successfully.

Knowledge of:

• Information literacy instruction techniques.
• Generative Artificial Intelligence.
• Services and activities of an academic library.
• Principles of library science and theory, and emerging library trends.
• Process and procedure of circulation, reference, periodicals, cataloging, and acquisition.
• Basic research methodologies and techniques.
• Pertinent Federal, State, and local laws, codes and regulations.

Skills:

• Strong communications skills including English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation. 
• Service-oriented professional with a strong commitment to problem-solving, training, collaboration, and documentation.
• Excellent organizational skills.

Ability to:

• Effectively use ILS (experience with Evergreen ILS is a plus)
• Use computerized library and office equipment.
• Research, analyze, and evaluate new service delivery methods, procedures and techniques.
• Make library-related presentations in a classroom setting.

Salary : $3,932 - $4,915