Director of Library Services

Description The Director is responsible for setting the vision and objectives for the library’s staff, collections, and services, with special emphasis on inculcating research skills among students. This position reports to the Dean of Biblical and Theological Studies. Westminster Theological Seminary is a Protestant theological seminary in the Reformed theological tradition, which will be celebrating the centenary of its founding in 2029. In addition to on-site programs at its Philadelphia campus, the seminary offers a growing range of programs online, as well as in non-English languages and cultures.

The library currently has approximately 150,000 print volumes, approximately 550 periodical subscriptions, and offers a substantial array of electronic resources. In addition, the seminary’s Archives and Special Collections house essential resources relating to Westminster’s heritage, including the papers of J. Gresham Machen, Cornelius Van Til, etc.

A complete renovation of the library’s main floor is presently underway.

Essential Functions

• Articulate and implement the library’s vision in a rapidly-changing environment for theological education.
• Stewardship of the library’s financial, physical, and personnel resources.
• Facility with regular and systematic review of the library’s collections, with particular attention to trends in enrollment and new programs.
• Recruit and develop library staff, encouraging ongoing professional development and growth in Access Services, Public/Research Services, and Technical Services
• Advocacy and communication on behalf of the library to the seminary and to external constituents, including donors.
• Prepare and manage the library budget.
• Assist the seminary in exploration and deployment of emerging technologies especially with a view towards digitizing strategic segments of the library’s holdings.
• Provide skillful liaison between the library and faculty and students to foster best use of library resources (e.g., rare book collections); design and deliver instructional resources for both residential and online students.
• Lead library in supporting the various language initiatives of WTS’s global programs.
• Develop and pursue professional development relating to library trends, leadership, etc.
• Initiate facility changes that represent a library for the 21st century.

Requirements

• American Library Association-accredited MLIS or equivalent degree.
• Minimum of one graduate degree in Theology, Divinity, or Biblical Studies.
• 5-7 years of increased responsibilities in a university, college, or seminary library.
• Evidence of successful administrative and organizational leadership; record of managerial responsibility in an academic library.
• Demonstrated capability in strategic and fiscal planning, including budget management.
• Outstanding written and oral communication skills.
• A demonstrated strong service orientation, with an emphasis on serving diverse populations.

How to apply: Qualified applicants are invited to submit a cover letter, CV, list of publications, and the names of at least three professional references.

Westminster Theological Seminary hires only personnel who belong to a Protestant evangelical church and subscribe to Biblical orthodoxy (belief) and orthopraxy (practice). Employees shall affirm their agreement with the historic, trinitarian Christian faith as expressed in the Apostles’ Creed. Otherwise, Westminster Theological Seminary is an equal opportunity employer, dedicated to providing equal employment and advancement opportunities to all individuals, except as specifically allowed by federal and state law, and basing employment decisions on merit, qualifications and training. Westminster Theological Seminary does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, religion (except as religion is a bona fide occupational qualification), sex, national origin, age, disability or any other classification protected by law. In accordance with the above paragraph, all employees are required to sign Westminster Theological Seminary's Community Life Policy affirming their commitment to Christian belief and practice as described in the policy.