Head of Access Services

Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU) is a diverse and student-centered university dedicated to academic excellence, access, and service for the public good. Southern provides a supportive and welcoming environment for all its community members through a campus-wide commitment to social justice and inquiry. Founded as a teacher’s college in 1893, Southern has evolved over the past century into a comprehensive public university of approximately 9,000 students, with significant external research funding, and offering graduate and undergraduate programs in the liberal arts and professional disciplines. We seek to instill in all students the value of discovery with the liberal arts and sciences serving as a foundation for professional development and life-long learning. The University is located in New Haven, Connecticut, a city vibrant with arts and culture, and home to many universities and with easy access to New York City and Boston.

Responsibilities:

Hilton C. Buley Library at Southern Connecticut State University is seeking to fill a tenure-track position at the rank of Associate Librarian. The Head of Access Services plans, organizes, and directs access services operations, including circulation, reserves, document delivery, stacks management, poster production, and resource sharing. In consultation with Library Systems, the Head of Access Services oversees the configuration of circulation and fulfillment in the library management system and the configuration of interlibrary loan software and services. The position holder is responsible for setting goals and planning for their implementation and assessment, evaluating new services and technologies, personnel management, and budgeting for the division. The librarian is responsible for the overall progress and quality of support offered by the units in the division, for providing leadership in the units’ continued improvement, and for contributing leadership to the development of the entire library. The Head of Access Services supervises Access Services personnel, who may include professional staff, support staff, and student workers, some of whom are governed by collective bargaining units.

As tenure-track employees at SCSU, librarians are expected to participate in professional and scholarly activities and serve on library and university committees. All librarians report directly to the Library Director and work collaboratively as faculty. This position is governed by a collective bargaining agreement; for further information see THIS LINK.

Required Qualifications:

ALA-accredited MLS or equivalent. Minimum of five years of professional experience in an academic library. Knowledge of circulation, reserves, and interlibrary loan operations. Minimum of two years of experience supervising full-time staff. Demonstrated commitment to delivering excellent customer service. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both oral and written, and the ability to work independently and collaboratively. Commitment to providing inclusive and equitable services to a diverse population.

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience with library outreach and public relations. Demonstrated experience with library information technology in a higher education ecosystem. Experience in Ex Libris Alma library services platform, Atlas System’s ILLiad software, and/or RapidILL. Knowledge of how to apply user experience (UX) principles to an access services context. Knowledge of copyright and fair use as it applies to libraries. Basic reference experience. Liaison experience in collection development for one or more academic departments, providing subject-specific instruction, and creating instructional materials.

How to Apply:

Application: Please submit a letter of interest addressing the required and preferred qualifications, current curriculum vitae or resumé, and a list of three references with email and phone contact information to the Head of Access Services Search Committee Chair at [email protected].

For best consideration, all materials must be received by October 21, 2024. The position will remain open until filled.