[LIBJOBS] Dean of University Libraries, University of Southern Mississippi

Dean of University Libraries

The University of Southern Mississippi invites nominations and applications for the position of dean of University Libraries.

Founded in 1910, The University of Southern Mississippi is a comprehensive doctoral and research-driven university with a diverse student body of more than 17,000 students from all 50 states and 70 foreign countries. A dual-campus university offering more than 180 degree programs, Southern Miss serves students on campuses in Hattiesburg and Long Beach, in addition to six teaching and research sites in Mississippi.

About the University Libraries: The University of Southern Mississippi operates libraries on the Hattiesburg and Gulf Park campuses and at the Gulf Coast Research Laboratory (GCRL). University Libraries holds or provides access to approximately 1.5 million resources, including print, e-book, audiovisual, electronic resources and manuscript materials, and five million microform materials. Cook Library, located in Hattiesburg, contains the principal collections of books, periodicals, microforms, government documents and other materials that directly support the research and instructional programs at all levels. Special Collections, housed in the McCain Library and Archives in Hattiesburg, offers patrons an exciting variety of historical resources ranging from 15th-century illuminated manuscripts to current Mississippiana, primary source materials from the Civil War to the civil rights movement, and one of the leading children's literature collections in the United States, the de Grummond Collection. The Gulf Coast Library, located in Long Beach, serves the Gulf Park campus, as well as teaching and research sites on the Gulf Coast (Stennis, Keesler and GCRL). The 54,236-square-foot facility is the only comprehensive university library on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

Duties and Responsibilities: The dean serves as the chief administrator of the University Libraries, which include the Cook Library and McCain Library on the Hattiesburg campus, the Gulf Coast Library at Long Beach and the GCRL Gunter Library. The dean reports to the provost and is responsible for leading the University Libraries as they grow and evolve to meet the needs of Southern Miss faculty, staff and students. The dean works collaboratively with the library faculty to ensure library services are implemented efficiently to support the University’s missions in teaching, research and service. The dean is a member of the Provost's Council of Deans and supervises the library faculty and support staff.

Qualifications: Applicants must have a Master of Library Science (MLS) degree from a program accredited by the American Library Association or a terminal degree in a related field with a distinguished record of librarianship, scholarly achievement and professional accomplishments commensurate with an appointment at the rank of full professor. For candidates with the MLS, preference will be given to those possessing a second master’s degree in a related field.  Candidates should have a minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible administrative experience in an academic or research library and current knowledge of best practices in library management, including experience managing digital initiatives and collaborating with information technology units. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills are essential. The candidate must have demonstrated strong leadership with a broad vision, good team-building skills, an engaging and participative leadership style, and the ability to collaborate with multiple constituencies.

Application Procedure: To ensure full consideration, complete application materials (including a letter of interest, complete curriculum vita and contact information for at least five references) should be submitted to the Southern Miss website at https://jobs.usm.edu (job posting #0002577) by April 10, 2013, but the search committee will continue to accept applications until the position is filled. Questions should be directed to Dr. Steven Moser, chair of the search committee, at 601.266.4316 or lib.deansearch@usm.edu.

 

The University of Southern Mississippi is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer/ Americans with Disabilities Act Institution.