Head, Research & Learning Services

Description

Loyola University Chicago Libraries seeks applications and nominations for the position of Head, Research & Learning Services. The successful candidate will be a dynamic leader who will help reimagine and mentor a department of experienced and newer librarians and staff and show evidence of productive teamwork, creativity, initiative, flexibility, and ability to work with diverse populations.

 The department head leads and manages a team who provide reference, curriculum support, online and in-person instruction, workshops, and research consultations.  This is an open-rank library faculty appointment. At Loyola, Librarian is a special faculty designation with opportunities for promotion.  
The Loyola University Chicago Libraries includes Cudahy Library, the Information Commons, and the Library Storage Facility at the Lakeshore Campus in Rogers Park; Lewis Library at the Water Tower Campus in downtown Chicago; the Health Sciences Library on the medical campus in Maywood; and a library at the John Felice Rome Center in Italy. The University Libraries also collaborates closely with the School of Law Library. 

Responsibilities 

 Reporting to the Interim Associate Dean for User Services, the Head, Research & Learning Services will:

 Departmental Leadership 

• Provide strategic leadership for Research & Learning Services and manage operational efficiency of the department.
• Provide leadership for the library’s role as a campus partner in student success.
• Support, supervise, mentor, and evaluate Research & Learning Services faculty and staff.
• Develop detailed documentation for departmental workflow and procedures.
• Provide research services, instruction, and other assessment data to Library Administration, ACRL, and IPEDS.
• Serve as a member of the Libraries’ Leadership and Planning Team (LAPT) and other relevant committees.

Subject Liaison Leadership

• Coordinate the liaison program for all subject specialists.
• Set best practices for librarian communication with assigned departments.
• Serve as a liaison to selected academic departments.
• Participate in collection development for selected academic departments and the general reference collection.
• Oversee subject-specific research guides offering web-based instruction and informational pages for faculty and students on the library's research and instructional services program. 
• Contribute to the Library's ongoing efforts to develop inclusive collections and services that support equitable access for a diverse community.  
  
  
  

Requirements

Required Qualifications  

• Master’s degree from an ALA-accredited library and information science program, or a graduate degree or professional certification in a related field, combined with relevant library experience.
• Minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in academic libraries, preferably in research and instruction
• Minimum of three years supervisory experience, including direct supervision of librarians, preferably those with faculty status
• Experience establishing departmental priorities and identifying areas for faculty and staff improvement. 
• Commitment to excellence among team members and promotion of a culture of accountability
• Demonstrated experience leading assessment initiatives and setting up benchmarking. 
• Demonstrated experience with team building, forging relationships, and establishing collaborations with campus partners and other external stakeholders

Preferred qualifications

• Second advanced degree in an academic discipline.
• Experience working within, coordinating, or leading a liaison librarian service model
• Evidence of professional service and/or research, with the potential to succeed in an academic promotion process.
• Experience supporting or promoting transformative educational programs, a commitment to social justice, and service to underserved communities.
• Experience with library discovery tools and systems, especially Ex Libris's Alma and Primo and Springshare products.