[LIBJOBS] Open Position: Head of Library Learning Services, Penn State University Libraries, University Park, Pennsylvania USA

Head of Library Learning Services
The Pennsylvania State University Libraries

The Pennsylvania State University Libraries seek applications and nominations for the position of Head of Library Learning Services. The person appointed to this tenure-track faculty position will coordinate all general education aspects of the University Libraries instructional and outreach programs at University Park for first and second year students. The successful candidate will also work in collaboration with the Commonwealth Campus Libraries and University Park subject librarians to integrate informational literacy into the general education and program curricula respectively.

The Head of Library Learning Services reports to the Associate Dean for Learning, Undergraduate Services and Commonwealth Campus Libraries and is responsible for building partnerships to develop, assess, and maintain an information literacy curriculum for integration into selected general education courses on the University Park Campus, the Commonwealth Campuses, and World Campus.  The Head of Library Learning Services directly supervises administrative and outreach staff and leads departmental faculty in the development of learning outcomes, delivery of instructional content and programming, and assessment of student learning and satisfaction.

Responsibilities:

• Directly supervises Library Learning Services staff; may supervise interns or student assistants.  Provides leadership to and mentors Library Learning Services faculty.
• Defines cohesive strategies for integrating an information literacy program into the general education curriculum on the University Park, Commonwealth, and World Campuses.
• Works in collaboration with the Head of the Knowledge Commons to encourage innovation in outreach and instruction.
• Works in collaboration with the University Libraries Assessment Department to coordinate the assessment of student learning outcomes within the general education information literacy program.
• Works in collaboration with subject and special collections librarians to integrate information literacy into the undergraduate major and graduate programs.
• Works in collaboration with subject librarians to provide vision and oversight for the undergraduate outreach program.
• Provides vision and oversight for the Library Learning Services website and the development of online learning objects.
• Engages in research, scholarly publication, and professional service activities. Participates in local, regional, or national professional organizations; enriches professional expertise by attending conferences and continuing education opportunities.
• Represents Library Learning services on relevant library committees, task forces, etc.
• Completes other projects as assigned/directed
  

Required Qualifications:

• MLS/MLIS from an ALA-accredited program, or a Master’s degree in a related field.
• Experience teaching information literacy through in-person or online instruction.
• Experience training and supervising staff, interns, or student assistants.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills.  Ability to work effectively, both independently and collaboratively, in a collegial environment.
• Potential to achieve the requirement for tenure and promotion in the areas of librarianship, research, and service.   Please visit http://www.libraries.psu.edu/psul/policies/ulhrg07.html to learn more about the University Libraries Promotion and Tenure Guidelines.
  

Desired Qualifications:

• Educational background or second Master’s degree in Education or related field.
• Participation in any of the ACRL Information Literacy Immersion Program tracts.
• Experience building partnerships to enhance learning and student success.
• Experience with learning management systems.
• Experience with outcomes assessment of student learning.
• Experience with curriculum development.
  

Environment:
Penn State, a land-grant institution, is a member of the Committee on Institutional Cooperation (CIC), a consortium of the Big Ten universities plus the University of Chicago. Based on current Association for Research Libraries investment rankings, The Pennsylvania State University Libraries are ranked among the top ten research libraries in North America.  A student survey completed in 2014 found overall student satisfaction with the University Libraries to be at the top of its category.  The University Libraries hold membership in ARL, CRL, CLIR, and DLF. Collections exceed 5.8 million volumes and include more than 102,000 current serial subscriptions.  The University Libraries are located at University Park and 22 other locations throughout Pennsylvania, and they serve approximately 6,000 faculty and 44,000 students at University Park, and more than 92,000 students system-wide.

The Library Learning Services Department is responsible for instruction, programming, and outreach to undergraduate students in the first two years of their academic careers. The Library Learning Services Department is encouraged to take innovative approaches to instruction and outreach, partnering with the Knowledge Commons to integrate new technologies and learning spaces into pedagogical practice and building partnerships with the subject libraries to create vertical integration of information literacy into the undergraduate majors and graduate programs. More information about the services and programs offered by Library Learning Services is available online at http://www.libraries.psu.edu/psul/lls.html.

The University Park campus is set in State College, 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, Philadelphia, and Detroit. For more information, please visit http://www.libraries.psu.edu and http://www.cbicc.org.

Compensation and Rank:
Rank and salary are dependent upon qualifications and experience.  Fringe benefits include liberal vacation, excellent insurance and health care coverage, state or TIAA/CREF 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.

To apply, please visit http://www.libraries.psu.edu/psul/jobs/facjobs/hdlls.html.   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 May 11, 2015 and continue until position is filled.  Employment will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.  Questions may be addressed to Lindsey Harter, Faculty Search Coordinator, at lap225@psu.edu.

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.