Associate Dean of Collections & Strategy

Who is Saint Louis University? Founded in 1818, Saint Louis University is one of the nation’s oldest and most prestigious Catholic universities. SLU, which also has a campus in Madrid, Spain, is recognized for world-class academics, life-changing research, compassionate health care, and a strong commitment to faith and service.

All About You

Position Summary

Reporting to the Dean of Libraries & Museums, the Associate Dean of Collections & Strategy faculty position, with the rank of Associate Professor, provides leadership and direction for the Libraries functional areas of acquisitions, cataloging/metadata, collection management, electronic resources, and library systems.

The Associate Dean leads collection development and associated activities, chairs the Collection Management Group (CMG), and manages a collection budget of close to $7 million.

In partnership with the Dean, and the Libraries & Museums leadership team, this position shares in the responsibilities for strategic planning, general administrative decision making, resource management, assessment, priority setting, and development of policies for libraries operations and services within a collaborative, team-oriented environment. The Associate Dean serves as an ambassador and advocate for the Libraries with campus constituencies, as well as regional and national organizations.

Reporting to the Associate Dean will be the Head of Cataloging, Head of Electronic Resources, and the Systems Librarian. The Associate Dean of Collections and Strategy reports to the Dean of Libraries and Museums.

Position Purpose

The Associate Dean leads collection development for the Pius XII Memorial Library and Medical Center Library (MCL), chairs the Collection Management Group made up of individuals from Pius Library and MCL, and manages a total collections budget of just under $7 million. They will also oversee the acquisitions and processing of materials for the University’s two additional libraries: the Vincent C. Immel Law Library, and the Madrid Library in Spain where the University has a campus that offers 4-year US accredited degrees and study abroad programs. The position also assists with maintaining the Locust Street off-site storage facility located near the main campus. 

Selected key collection figures from the 2022 ACRL Academic Library Trends and Statistics Survey are:

• 1.7 million volumes, including over 30,000 volumes of rare books
• 637,000+ e-books
• 151,000+ serials
• 80,000+media
• 750,000+ off-site storage volumes
• $7,000,000+ materials/services expenses

The Associate Dean provides leadership and guidance for acquisitions, cataloging/metadata, electronic resources, serials, and library systems. The Associate Dean will assist with the investigation of potential new systems or products, providing oversight and support for staffing and initiatives. It is anticipated that within the next several years the Libraries will undertake an ILS review process.

The Associate Dean will work within the Libraries and throughout campus to educate on collections related issues such as big deals, open access, open scholarship, and other relevant topics. The Associate Dean will move the Libraries toward data-based methodologies for acquiring and managing its collections and will also work with academic departments to articulate the Libraries’ goals in the deselection of low-use materials.

Responsibilities include:

Leadership and administration (90%)

Leadership

• Promotes organizational effectiveness through strategic leadership, policy development, planning, and resource management
• Engages with campus stakeholders on issues related to collections
• Collaborates with other libraries and consortia to develop shared collections, and explore issues, challenges, and opportunities related to cooperatively developed and managed collections
• Coordinates engagement and communication with vendors
• Consults and advises the Dean on trends, opportunities, strategy, solutions, and resources
• Shares in the responsibilities for decision-making, resource management, and development of policies for library operations and services
• Establishes and fosters partnerships with key stakeholders across the University
• Builds a strong network of peers at comparable institutions
• Represents and advocates to relevant campus, consortia or multi-institutional groups
• Communicates with librarians and staff at the Medical Center Library and Law Library on areas of responsibility
• Actively participates in University activities and initiatives

Management

• Manages performance and productivity of areas within the division
• Establishes goals for departmental units, including their librarians and staff
• Participates in or leads the hiring and management of personnel in technical services and library systems
• Conducts annual performance reviews of librarians and staff
• Participates in and provides opportunities for employees for professional development
• Cultivates organizational values and holds employees accountable for fostering these values for a healthy, professional, and productive work environment
• Initiates and develops services and programs to support short-term and long-term strategic goals
• Fosters an environment of innovation

Collections budget

• Monitors budget allocations and ensures effective stewardship of the $6.9 million collections budget, including gift funds
• Provides budget analysis, budget forecasting and strategic budget planning
• Produces analyses, data visualization, and reports including regular budget updates with respect to fiscal year targets

Collections strategy

• Provides leadership, strategic direction, and support for the development, assessment, and continuous improvement of the Libraries collections
• Devises and organizes processes for the evaluation and assessment of library collections
• Provides planning for the active management of legacy print collections, including those housed in the Libraries onsite storage facility
• Investigates and recommends policies, procedures, and best practices for collection management processes that advance diversity, inclusion, and equity
• Develops and leads evidence based collection assessment processes to analyze, acquire, and evaluate the alignment of libraries content and services with the teaching and learning mission of the university
• Works with those in the Libraries and on-campus to integrate support for open access and its impact on scholarship and the collections budget

Service, Research/Scholarship and Professional Development (10%)

• Serves on committees and task forces at the department, Libraries & Museums, and University level
• Participates in local, state, and national/international professional and scholarly societies and organizations
• Conducts research and/or scholarship and presents research results thereof at conferences, through publication, or other avenues

Qualifications:

Required

• An American Library Association-accredited master’s degree in Library and Information Science (MLS/MLIS/MSIS) or international equivalent
• A minimum of five years of academic or research library experience (could also be consortial or related)
• Minimum of three years administrative and supervisory experience
• A demonstrated record of successful, strong, and forward-thinking leadership
• Strong evidence of effective fiscal management within a complex budget structure
• Demonstrated experience in budget analysis and forecasting
• Knowledge of current issues and best practices for managing library research collections and awareness of major trends in higher education, scholarship, and research libraries
• Ability to successfully foster library employee development
• Capacity to thrive in an environment of change and to foster that capacity in others
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively as a team member in a dynamic environment
• Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills
• Demonstrated commitment to and support for equity, diversity, and inclusion
• Record of professional service, scholarly publishing, and/or research

Preferred

• Demonstrated experience managing a library collections budget in excess of $5 million
• Demonstrated experience working with library systems
• Experience implementing approval plans
• Experience with open access
• Experience with print and electronic collections assessment

Items requested as part of the application process

1. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Commitment 
Reflecting Jesuit values of inclusive academic excellence, the Libraries & Museums at Saint Louis University are committed to building a diverse and equitable workplace where members from all backgrounds can thrive. We view diversity as based on one's ability, age, gender, culture, race, religion, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic background, among other elements. Equity involves fairness, such as treating people equitably while recognizing people's needs may differ, and social justice for those marginalized in society. Inclusion means creating a welcoming environment and ensuring conditions for full and meaningful participation so that all people feel valued as members of the Libraries & Museums and the wider University community. 

Rank

Associate Professor, non-tenure track,.

Salary/Benefits

Salary: commensurate with experience. Attractive benefits include insurance, 403B, employee assistance program and wellness program.

Deadline

Application deadline is August 21, 2023 and review of applications will begin August 28, 2023. Desired start date is January 1, 2024.

Items requested as part of the application process

1. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Commitment 
Reflecting Jesuit values of inclusive academic excellence, the Libraries & Museums at Saint Louis University are committed to building a diverse and equitable workplace where members from all backgrounds can thrive. We view diversity as based on one's ability, age, gender, culture, race, religion, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic background, among other elements. Equity involves fairness, such as treating people equitably while recognizing people's needs may differ, and social justice for those marginalized in society. Inclusion means creating a welcoming environment and ensuring conditions for full and meaningful participation so that all people feel valued as members of the Libraries & Museums and the wider University community. 

Please describe in around 250 words your commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and how you would contribute to these priorities at Saint Louis University. 

2. All applications must include a cover letter addressing qualifications for the position, curriculum vita and three current professional references.

Function

Nonmedical Primary Appointment 12 mo.

Scheduled Weekly Hours:

Saint Louis University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for the position applied for without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, military/veteran status, gender identity, or other non-merit factors. We welcome and encourage applications from minorities, women, protected veterans, and individuals with disabilities (including disabled veterans). If accommodations are needed for completing the application and/or with the interviewing process, please contact Human Resources at 314-977-5847.