Jack Farrell & Associates Hiring for Director of the University of Kentucky Medical Center Library at Lexington, Kentucky (US) Full Time

The University of Kentucky Libraries has retained Jack Farrell & Associates (www.jackfarrell.com) to find the winning candidate for this position. Interested candidates should provide a CV and 2-page cover letter (see details below) by email to Henry Greene ([email protected]). Thank you.  

Overview 

The University of Kentucky (UK) Libraries is vital to fulfilling the goals of enhancing and expanding the university’s research enterprise, and we are looking for a faculty librarian to serve as the Director of the Medical Center Library (MCL). The MCL supports the education, research, patient care, clinical programs and UK’s healthcare enterprise. The MCL supports students, faculty, and researchers in the Colleges of Medicine, Pharmacy, Dentistry, Nursing, Health Sciences, Public Health, and Agriculture, Food, & Environment and the UK HealthCare (UKHC) enterprise, which includes Chandler Hospital, Good Samaritan Hospital, Markey Cancer Center, Sanders-Brown Center on Aging, Kentucky Children’s Hospital, affiliate hospitals, and the expansion of the clinical programs and new ambulatory care centers. Reporting to the Associate Dean for Outreach, Engagement and Collections, the Director will be responsible for building partnerships and implementing visionary services for health sciences to support UK’s state-wide campuses. This position will also participate in the UK Libraries’ liaison program, which provides outreach and engagement services to academic units. The position is based in Lexington, KY and relocation assistance is available. 

The University of Kentucky Libraries’ guiding principle is Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. This principle informs all aspects of our work and requires all library personnel to actively consider and address barriers that permeate institutional structures and systems. Viewing our work through this EDI lens, we are committed to building collections, enhancing services, and providing spaces that reflect and support individuals with diverse perspectives and abilities. 

Anticipated salary range for this position is $100,000 to $115,000. 

Responsibilities 

·      Develop and implement a strategic vision for the MCL aligned with the Libraries and University of Kentucky’s mission 

·      Provide effective leadership and supervision to three direct reports and a total team of twelve 

·      Provide inspired leadership and direction for enhancing and evolving user-centered services, research support, and collections of the MCL 

·      Perform administrative duties such as preparing letters of evaluation; making work assignments; formulating policies and procedures; monitoring budget expenditures; and maintaining statistics and preparing annual reports 

·      Develop partnerships with colleagues across the Libraries, across campus, and across the state to support the current and future research needs of UK students, faculty, staff, and researcher 

·      Work collaboratively with MCL faculty and staff to assess strengths/impacts and areas of opportunity, and determine priorities and innovations that align with the academic mission of the University 

·      Assist with liaison services; collaborate with other librarians and staff to provide research assistance, programming, and other services 

·       Advocate and communicate impact of health sciences libraries to internal and external stakeholders 

·      Maintain knowledge of current and emerging trends in health sciences librarianship 

·      Participate in faculty governance and other shared leadership opportunities 

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

·      ALA-accredited Master’s degree in Library and Information Science 

·      At least two years of leadership responsibility in an academic health sciences library environment 

·      Demonstrated knowledge of health sciences resources and scholarly communication issues 

·      Supervisory experience

·      Proven ability to establish strong rapport with multiple constituencies in order to effectively collaborate and build partnerships inside and outside of the library and University 

·      Ability to meet the requirements of tenure-track position through research, publication, and/or professional engagement 

Preferred

Record of scholarship, teaching, and/or active membership in professional associations

As a member of the UKL faculty, this position participates in planning, shared governance, and UK Libraries-wide faculty activities. This is a full-time, 12-month, tenure eligible position in the Librarian Title Series (open rank) which requires scholarship, professional development, and service that contributes to the effectiveness of UK Libraries, the university, and the profession as outlined in Administrative Regulation 2:7 (https://www.uky.edu/regs/ar2-7). Your Distribution of Effort (DOE) range: Primary assignment: 70-80%, Service/Prof. development and scholarship 20-30% and is reviewed at minimum annually each year. Salary commensurate with experience and qualifications. Anticipated salary range for this position is $100,000 to $115,000.

Position is a full-time, 12-month, tenure-track eligible position. All career levels are encouraged to apply. The University of Kentucky is committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce by ensuring all our students, faculty, and staff work in an environment of openness and acceptance. We strive to foster a community where people of all backgrounds, identities, and perspectives can feel secure and welcome. We also value the well-being of each of our employees and are dedicated to creating a healthy place to work, learn and live. In the interest of maintaining a safe and healthy environment for our students, employees, patients and visitors the University of Kentucky is a Tobacco & Drug Free campus. Recently recognized as one of the best employers in higher education by The Chronicle of Higher Education and ranked among America’s Best Employers and Best Employers for Diversity by Forbes Magazine, the University of Kentucky strives to create an environment where all staff and faculty are embraced and supported. Employees are offered a wide array of excellent benefit options and more information is available at: www.uky.edu/HR/benefits. Library tenure-track faculty are also eligible to receive a generous relocation allowance, start-up funding for research, and annual professional development/travel funds.

The University of Kentucky is a public, land grant university of approximately 32,000 students, 3,500 faculty, and 15,000 staff dedicated to improving people’s lives through excellence in education, research and creative work, service, and health care. With over 200 academic programs across sixteen colleges and professional schools, the University plays a critical leadership role by promoting diversity, inclusion, economic development, and human well-being. Located in the beautiful bluegrass region of central Kentucky, the University of Kentucky Libraries includes the main William T. Young Library, Medical Center Library, Special Collections Research Center, Fine Arts Library, Education Library, Lexmark Library, and Science & Engineering Library. Combined library holdings total more than four million volumes. The system has a faculty of 55 and a support and professional staff of 85. UK Libraries currently uses the Ex Libris Alma and Primo systems. UK Libraries memberships include the Association of Research Libraries, LYRASIS, ASERL, and the Center for Research Libraries. UK is a regional depository for government publications.

Lexington, KY was ranked #34 on U.S. News & World Report Best Places to Live in the U.S for 2024. Quality of life in the region is high while cost of living is reasonable. There’s also proximity to beautiful parks, nature trails and engaging cultural centers. For more details please visit: https://www.lexingtonky.gov/browse/recreation/tourism

Applications will be reviewed beginning 1/8/24 and continue until the position is filled which we look the position to start on or after 7/1/24.

NOTE: The University of Kentucky Libraries has retained Jack Farrell & Associates (www.jackfarrell.com) to find the winning candidate for this position. Interested candidates should provide a CV  and 2-page cover letter by email to Henry Greene ([email protected]).  The letter should address: 1) why am I interested, 2) how am I qualified, 3)  what might the MCL look like in several years under my stewardship? Thank you.