Washington and Lee University Hiring for Head of Research Services at Lexington, Virginia Full Time

Head of Research Services

Location:
Lexington, Virginia
Open Date:
Dec 7, 2023
Description:

Washington and Lee University Library seeks a collaborative, innovative, and motivated librarian to lead its Research Services team.

Reporting to the University Librarian, the Head of Research Services provides strategic and operational management for the Research Services team. The Head is responsible for the leadership, management, and development of five faculty librarians. Two of these faculty librarians are serving in 3-year ACRL Diversity Alliance-informed residencies, with the option to renew in 2026. The Head coordinates team-level responsibilities, such as information literacy instruction assessment, resource selection and assessment, and virtual, in-person, and asynchronous reference services. This position serves on the collaborative Operations and Strategy Group, which shares responsibility for the overall management and direction of the library with the University Librarian. The successful candidate will have a strong and demonstrated understanding of and commitment to diversity, equity, respect, and inclusion, especially as applied to library services and collections. The Head will be a non-tenure track faculty member at the Associate Professor rank. The appointment begins on or after June 1, 2024.

Washington and Lee University promotes a dynamic and inclusive environment that allows students and employees of multiple backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives to learn, work, and thrive together. Successful candidates will contribute to that environment and exhibit potential for excellence in librarianship and for vigorous scholarship. In keeping with the University Strategic Plan, we welcome applications from underrepresented minority candidates and members of other communities that are traditionally underrepresented in academia. The University Library joined the ACRL Diversity Alliance in 2021, and is an active member of the Leading the Charge cohort of libraries focused on the recruitment and retention of librarians and library staff of color.

Washington and Lee University is a highly selective, independent, co-educational, liberal arts college of approximately 1850 undergraduate and 400 law students, located in Lexington, VA, three hours southwest of Washington, DC. W&L is consistently ranked among the top national liberal arts colleges. Established in 1749, it is the ninth oldest institution of higher learning in the nation. The University Library serves the undergraduate teaching, learning, and research programs, housing approximately 1.3M physical and digital items in roughly 100,000 square feet of public space. The $1.5M annual collections budget is supported through a combination of operating and endowment funds. The library is the home of W&L’s Digital Culture and Information (DCI) minor program. Library faculty serve as initial advisors for undergraduates, may teach courses in DCI and other disciplines, and participate in faculty governance, service, and scholarship opportunities. 

Essential and Related Functions

• Leads, mentors, and supports the team of four Research Services Librarians and the Collections Strategist to foster an inclusive culture of user-centered service and collaboration and an environment that supports professional growth across faculty careers.
  • Coordinates team-level responsibilities, including information literacy instruction assessment, resource selection and assessment, virtual and/or in-person consultation and reference services, LibGuides management, statistical reporting, and support for first-year writing intensive courses. Some of these responsibilities may be delegated to members of the Research Services team.
  • Serves as the library’s liaison to non-academic departments and centers.
  • Maintains shared documentation of workplace procedures and best practices for unit.
• Collaborates with library faculty and staff and with faculty and staff across the University to further the University’s mission through the library’s research and instruction services and collections.
  • Serves as the team representative on the library’s Operations and Strategy Group and other committees as appropriate.
  • Collaborates with colleagues in other library units on shared workflows, procedures, and strategic directions related to information literacy instruction, library assessment and planning, and collection selection and assessment.
• Serves as a faculty member of the College.
  • Participates in teaching activities of the library, which may include advising students and/or teaching credit bearing courses, among other opportunities.
  • Engages in pertinent ongoing service, research, scholarship, and/or creative activity as defined by the library’s Faculty Development Document.
• Participates in professional development activities as appropriate to meet personal and departmental goals and objectives.
• Performs other duties as assigned by the University Librarian.

Salary and Benefits

Minimum salary: $82,000 per year. Salary is commensurate with experience.

Washington and Lee offers an extensive range of health care and life insurance benefits, retirement options, educational assistance programs, and other programs and services to our staff and faculty. For more information, visit: https://my.wlu.edu/human-resources/benefits-and-paid-time-off.

Qualifications:

• ALA-accredited MLS or equivalent relevant terminal degree. Holding a terminal degree in a relevant field is a requirement of faculty status.
• Experience supporting the learning, research, and teaching information needs of faculty and students. There is no preference for a specific subject expertise.
• Experience with and demonstrated enthusiasm for supervising library faculty or staff with the ability to prioritize development of junior faculty.
• A record of experience, service, and scholarship sufficient to qualify for the non-tenure track rank of Associate Professor in the University Library. The library’s guidelines are available via Box.
• Leadership ability in applying principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion to library instruction, research services, and/or collections.

Application Instructions:

Review of applications will begin January 29, 2024, and continue until position is filled.

Candidates should submit:

• A letter of application describing interest in the position and addressing all five of the qualifications.
• A complete professional CV.
• Names and contact information for three professional references will be requested from finalists.

All materials should be submitted via Interfolio at http://apply.interfolio.com/137715.

University Librarian KT Vaughan is eager to speak with potential candidates who have questions before applying. Please contact her at [email protected].

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

Washington and Lee is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  As such, we are interested in candidates who are committed to high standards of scholarship, performance and professionalism and to the development of a campus climate that supports equality and diversity in our faculty, staff and student body. Job description requirements are representative, but not all‐inclusive of the knowledge, skill, and abilities needed to successfully perform this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.