Author: Ms. Sheli E. Pratt-McHugh

The Opportunity

The University of Scranton, a Catholic and Jesuit University offering a transformational learning experience, seeks Dean of the Weinberg Memorial Library. The Dean of the Library provides leadership and strategic direction for all aspects of library services to the University, contributing to the Library’s campus-wide focus on transformative teaching and learning in the Ignatian tradition. The Dean oversees the Weinberg Memorial Library (WML), and plays a creative role in fostering a climate conducive to supporting the teaching, learning, and scholarship of students, faculty, and staff. The Dean reports to the Provost and serves as a member of the Deans’ Leadership Council, Provost’s Advisory Council, Provost’s Committee on Academic Policy and Compliance, Faculty Personnel Committee, and Faculty Handbook Committee. The Dean of the Library also has supervisory responsibility for all faculty and staff in the Weinberg Memorial Library.

The Responsibilities of the Dean of the Weinberg Memorial Library

Essential Duties Include:

• Administers all units of the Weinberg Memorial Library.
• Serves as chief advocate and spokesperson for the academic support provided by the Library.
• Leads the design, implementation, marketing, and assessment of Library policies, services and programs.
• Collaborates and regularly consults with faculty and staff to develop library collections, programs, and services.
• Has primary responsibility for strategic planning, annual report submission, accreditation and program review, supervision and mentorship of the Library faculty and staff, and professional development.
• Makes appointment, reappointment, and rank and tenure recommendations on matters of faculty status for the Library faculty.
• Manages the financial activities of the Library including the development and monitoring of the annual operating budgets and the strategic and effective allocation of resources.
• Distributes various Library development funds, grants, prizes, etc.
• Oversees the ongoing maintenance and assessment of the University-wide Information Literacy program.
• Coordinates the Library’s information technology planning with the University’s Chief Information Officer.
• Coordinates timely Library communications with the University community.
• Leads fundraising for the Library, including supporting the Friends of the Library organization and serving as the Library’s liaison to University Advancement.
• Coordinates the annual Jay Nathan, Ph.D., Visiting Scholar Lecture Series with University Advancement, as well as any additional educational events sponsored by the Library.
• Serves on University committees and as an ex-officio member of the Library Advisory Committee. Receives advice and counsel as appropriate.
• Participates in professional organizations and networks with national groups and individuals in the fields of libraries and faculty and student enrichment. Represents the University at the annual AJCU Library Deans Conference.

Position Qualifications 

Minimum Education Requirements:

American Library Association (ALA) accredited Master’s degree and a second Master’s or Doctoral degree required.

Minimum Job Experience Requirements:

Minimum of eight years of progressively responsible and administrative/leadership experience in an academic library.

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience working in a collective bargaining/unionized faculty environment.

Additional Skills Required:

• Respect, support and contribute to the University’s Catholic and Jesuit mission.
• Ready to lead and support University diversity and inclusion efforts, ensuring that the Library is welcoming, respectful of freedom of expression and dedicated to social justice, equity, and a culture of belonging.
• Commitment to excellence in libraries and to excellence in academic support.
• Ability and experience in management, strategic planning, budgeting, and collaborative leadership to guide an accomplished faculty and staff.
• Demonstrated experience and success in fundraising.
• Excellent organizational skills and excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to think creatively and to demonstrate creative problem solving.
• A vision to identify and develop state-of-the-art information technologies and integrate these with traditional library collections and services and with academic support services.
• Knowledge of current issues in academic libraries, in teaching and learning, and in digital and special collections.
• Professional commitment to a user-focused service orientation.
• A record of scholarly or other appropriate professional activity.
• Ability to create a supportive and nurturing learning environment to ensure student success and retention.
• Commitment to shared governance, embracing and supporting faculty status for librarians.

About the University of Scranton

University Profile

The University is deeply committed to its compelling mission rooted in the Jesuit tenet of cura personalis, individual attention to the students, and respect for the uniqueness of each member of the University community. The University of Scranton offers students a highly personalized education; is an exceptionally strong and devoted community; and is supported by a generous and motivated Board of Trustees. Founded in 1888 and elevated to university status in 1938, The University of Scranton is a community of faculty, staff, students, alumni, and friends who are animated by the centuries-old tradition of Catholic and Jesuit education. At Scranton, faculty and staff offer students a rich and personalized approach to education in the context of a dynamic university that prepares students to be agents of change in their communities and the world.

The University community includes roughly 5,000 undergraduate, adult, part-time and graduate students; 272 full-time faculty, and 600 full-time staff. The campus is home to three colleges – the College of Arts and Sciences, the Kania School of Management, and the Panuska College of Professional Studies – and awards the bachelor’s degree; the master’s degree; and four doctoral degrees (business administration, nursing practice, occupational therapy and physical therapy).

Mission

The University is a Catholic and Jesuit University animated by the spiritual vision and the tradition of excellence characteristic of the Society of Jesus and those who share in its way of proceeding.  All candidates must indicate how they would help communicate and support the Catholic and Jesuit identity and mission of the University. The University’s mission statement and a description of the history and concepts of the Ignatian teaching philosophy may be found at https://www.scranton.edu/about/jesuit-tradition/index.shtml.

Diversity and Inclusion

The University of Scranton embraces diversity and inclusion through its mission, Jesuit identity, strategic plans, community outreach programs, and numerous diversity programs.  The University of Scranton is an Equal Opportunity employer and actively solicits applications from diverse candidates. Please see our website at https://www.scranton.edu/equity-diversity/index.shtml for our full non-discrimination statement.   

Nondiscrimination Statement

The University is committed to providing an educational, residential, and working environment that is free from harassment and discrimination. Members of the University community, applicants for employment or admissions, guests and visitors have the right to be free from harassment or discrimination based on race, color, religion, ancestry, gender, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, genetic information, national origin, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.

Sexual harassment, including sexual violence, is a form of sex discrimination prohibited by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. The University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in its educational, extracurricular, athletic, or other programs or in the context of employment.

Anyone who has questions about the University’s Sexual Harassment and Sexual Misconduct Policy, or the University’s Non-Discrimination or Anti-Harassment Policy, or wishes to report a possible violation of one of the policy should contact:

Elizabeth M. Garcia
Title IX Coordinator
The Office of Equity and Diversity
Institute of Molecular Biology & Medicine, Rm 311
elizabeth.garcia2@scranton.edu
(570) 941-6645
https://www.scranton.edu/equity-diversity/

Scranton, PA

Located in Pennsylvania’s beautiful Pocono region, The University of Scranton is a vital part of a city that is considered the geographic and cultural center of northeastern Pennsylvania. The city plays an important role in the life of the University and vice versa. Driving time to New York City, Philadelphia, and Syracuse is just two hours, with Boston and Washington, D.C. less than five hours away. The regional airport, located just eight miles away, offers direct flights to Chicago, Detroit, Charlotte, and other major cities.

How to Apply

The search process is underway and will continue until the position is filled with a negotiable start date between January and July 2022.  Nominations, expressions of interest, and applications including a letter of interest and a full curriculum vita should be submitted electronically by visiting https://universityofscrantonjobs.com and clicking on “Search Jobs.”  A user name and password must be created in order to successfully apply to the position and upload the required applicant documents.

We provide our workforce of more than 1,100 people with competitive salaries and exceptional benefits such as health care, retirement plans, generous paid time off and tuition remission.

Confidential inquiries and questions concerning this search may be directed to The University of Scranton’s Human Resources Office at (570) 941-7767, HR@scranton.edu.