Bowling Green State University invites applications and nominations for the position of Dean of the University Libraries (UL). Reporting directly to the Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs/Provost, this position serves on the university-wide Council of Deans.
Jerome Library is home to three nationally prominent special collections: the Browne Popular Culture Library, the Center for Archival Collections, which includes the Historical Collections of the Great Lakes and the Sound Recordings Archives. The UL comprises general collections in social sciences, humanities, and sciences; government documents; a curriculum resource center; and the Northwest Ohio Regional Book Depository. BGSU is a founding and active member of OhioLINK, a consortium of more than 85 Ohio institutions.
Established in 1910, BGSU this year was ranked 11th in the nation by U.S. News & World Report’s “America’s Best Colleges” for its strong commitment to teaching undergraduate students. With an in-town residential campus in a park-like setting, BGSU enrolls more than 20,000 students and has a 20:1 student-to-faculty ratio. Located in northwest Ohio, Bowling Green is within easy driving distance of many major Midwest cities. (For more information, visit our web site at: MailScanner has detected a possible fraud attempt from “www.bgsu.edu.” claiming to be www.bgsu.edu.)
Major Responsibilities
BGSU seeks outstanding candidates with the vision, skill, and motivation to lead approximately 24 full-time faculty librarians, 50 staff members and a system of more than 2 million volumes. The successful candidate will be expected to:
• Lead and participate in long-range and strategic planning for the UL, including its facilities and programming, and the University
• Serve as a spokesperson and advocate for the UL on campus, locally, regionally, and nationally
• Assume a leadership role in fundraising from public and private sources
• Advance major initiatives and commitments involving consortial agreements, including OhioLINK and other state and federal agencies
• Anticipate, communicate, and effectively manage change in library and higher education environments
• Effectively develop university and community partnerships
• Promote and develop the role of the UL in distance education programs and technology
• Possess up-to-date knowledge on current trends in the library profession and maintain active scholarship and/or service that support the visibility of the UL
• Continue to champion and support staff development and the egalitarian culture and openness of communication that are key strengths of the UL
Minimum Qualifications
The candidate’s curriculum vitae must clearly evidence:
• Master’s degree from an ALA-accredited institution and a second advanced degree
• A record of scholarship qualifying the candidate for appointment with tenure
• A record of significant contributions to the profession
• Minimum five years of successful administrative and managerial experience in academic libraries
• Demonstrated progressive responsibilities for planning, assessment, budget administration, fundraising, and development
• Record of working collaboratively with colleagues and constituents
• Strong commitment to diversity and multiculturalism
• Effective organizational management skills and successful supervisory experience
• Ability to think creatively in developing programs and services
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and public speaking experience
Preferred Qualifications
The successful candidate should also demonstrate:
• Earned doctorate.
• Experience with and knowledge of developments in information technology.
• Experience with and knowledge of developments in scholarly communication and their application to library services and information access.
• Experience with consortial agreements.
• Leadership in promoting and supporting unit and institutional change.
• Appreciation for and commitment to university and community partnerships.
Salary is commensurate with experience and credentials.
The Dean Search Committee invites letters of nomination, applications (letter of interest, complete CV, and list of 5-7 references), or expressions of interest to be submitted to the search firm assisting Bowling Green State University. Confidential review of materials will begin immediately and continue until the appointment is made. It is preferred, however, that all nominations and applications be submitted prior to March 3, 2010.
Laurie C. Wilder, Senior Vice President and Managing Director
Porsha L. Williams, Principal
Parker Executive Search
Five Concourse Parkway, Suite 2440
Atlanta, GA 30328
770-804-1996 ext: 111
pwilliams@parkersearch.com
