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Position: Director of Library Services
Institution: The John Richard Allison Library at Regent College, Vancouver, BC, Canada
Date Posted at ACL: 29-Jun-2009

Director of Library Services

The John Richard Allison Library at Regent College, Vancouver, BC
Housing the joint collections of Regent College & Carey Theological College

Introduction: Regent College, an evangelical, international graduate school of Christian studies, and Carey Theological College, a graduate school providing master and doctoral degrees associated with the Canadian Baptists of Western Canada (both affiliated with the University of British Columbia), jointly seek a creative and experienced Director of Library Services for The John Richard Allison Library. The newly built Allison Library houses more than 115,000 monographs, approximately 370 journal titles, a range of theological databases, many other resources in various formats, and includes rare and special collections. Reciprocal borrowing privileges exist between the neighbouring theological libraries on campus and with the libraries of the University of British Columbia.

Position Summary: The Library Director will be responsible for the administration of all aspects of the library, in particular providing a vision for the overall direction of the library that reflects the educational missions of both Regent and Carey. The Library Director is a full voting member of the Regent College faculty. The Library Director is responsible for personnel management; the library budget; serving on, and in some instances, reporting to academic committees; cooperating locally with neighboring theological libraries; and developing the library's collections and services in creative ways and consistent with curriculum development at both schools. The full position description follows.

Qualifications: Candidates should have a master's degree or its equivalent from an ALA accredited school, an appropriate theological degree or master's degree in a relevant discipline, and five years or more of successful library management experience in an academic library setting. Candidates should demonstrate excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills. They should be familiar with the various functions that comprise a vital library operation, knowledgeable of trends in theological education generally, and keen to integrate emerging technologies that benefit the educational missions of Regent and Carey. Candidates must be in full agreement with the Regent College Statement of Faith.

Salary range: Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience. Regent College offers a comprehensive benefits package and tuition benefits for full-time employees.

Application Information: Letters of application should be addressed to Dr. Craig Gay, and sent, along with curricula vitae -- electronically to: deansoffice@regent-college.edu or by mail to:

Library Search Committee
c/o The Academic Dean's Office
Regent College
5800 University Blvd
Vancouver, BC V6T 2E4

All documents either electronic or by mail should be received by the closing date of 15 September 2009.

Regent College is committed to employment equity, and welcomes applications from female and visible minority candidates. In accordance with Canadian immigration requirements, priority will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada.

Director of Library Services Position Description

The Library Director is a full member of the Regent College faculty, responsible for the oversight of The John Richard Allison Library housing the joint collections of Regent College and Carey Theological College. The Library Director is directly accountable to the Academic Dean of Regent College. The Library Director provides a vision for the overall direction of the library that reflects institutional mission and trends in theological librarianship.

The following are the responsibilities of the Library Director:

  1. Administration
    1. Provides regular reports and updates to the Faculty of Regent College and the Senate of Carey Theological College, and sustains regular communication with Regent's Vice President for Finance on matters pertaining to the library budget.
    2. Hires, guides, and evaluates library staff.
    3. Manages full-time staff (presently four) and initiates staff meetings, resolves staff issues, and ensures staff development.
    4. Compiles budget (annually), accounting for all library expenditures.
    5. Chairs the Library Committee serving both Regent and Carey.
    6. Participates on faculty committees as assigned by the Academic Dean.
    7. Negotiates and establishes contractual agreements for the library that benefit the educational missions of Regent and Carey.
    8. Liaises with neighbouring theological libraries on campus and the designated library liaison from the University of British Columbia.
    9. Represents The Allison Library to regional, national, and international library or theological organizations, including the American Theological Library Association.
    10. Identifies physical plant issues and coordinates maintenance.
  2. Acquisitions and Collection Development
    1. Responsible for new acquisitions: books, periodicals, databases, and other materials in a wide range of formats. (Note: the Regent College Bookstore currently provides significant acquisitions, shipping, invoicing, and returns services to the library.)
    2. Develops special collections, in particular Puritan rare books, special collections, faculty papers, etc.
    3. Donations (works in conjunction with the library staff in accepting donations, assessing their value, and issuing income tax receipts). Uses the services of an external evaluator when appropriate.
    4. Establishes/reviews/updates collection development policy in accordance with the accreditation standards of The Association of Theological Schools.
    5. Culls the collection as necessary.
  3. Information Literacy and Library Skills
    1. Provides overall vision and direction for the teaching of information literacy and library skills that enable students and faculty to engage in life-long habits of theological research, study, reading, and reflection.
    2. Provides and develops advanced reference services and seminars to library users as needed.
    3. Collects key research and reference tools (print and electronic).
    4. Oversees the development of the library's website and shared catalogue website.
  4. Library Computer Systems
    1. In conjunction with the library staff, administers the integrated library system, (currently Innovative's Millennium software) on behalf of Regent and Carey and in mutual partnership with the library of The Vancouver School of Theology.
    2. Establishes cataloguing, circulation, serials, acquisitions reports and policies with the library staff.
    3. Liaises with Regent's IT staff to maintain and develop hardware and
    4. software in support of the library's educational mission.
  5. Library Development
    1. Draws connections with the educational missions of Regent and Carey and develops relevant programming that promotes the library and its collections.
    2. Seeks to improve and provide increasing access to library resources and services, based on on-going assessment activities, user feedback, and focus groups.
    3. Seeks out grant opportunities and cooperative relationships that enhance the delivery of library services or provide greater access to the library's resources.