| Position: | Director of University Libraries |
| Institution: | Bethel University, St. Paul, Minnesota |
| Date Posted at ACL: | 26-May-2009 |
Bethel University announces a search for a Director of the University Libraries to provide dynamic and collaborative leadership for a creative library staff, to enhance the excellence of Bethel library services, and to help shape the future innovations of the Bethel library system.
The Director of the University Libraries has faculty status and reports to the Provost. The Director leads all of Bethel's libraries in working collaboratively in the following ways: planning strategically for the maintenance and development of the libraries' technological innovations; establishing and maintaining advantageous consortial relationships; building strategic relationships with Information Technology Services; and coordinating budgetary decisions involving shared resources of the university and seminary libraries. The Director also fulfills daily responsibilities for the collections, services, and facilities of the university library, including: overseeing and developing the library staff; advocating for the library with the administration; representing the library to faculty, students, and alumni; pursuing opportunities for the library to partner with other units or departments in the institution; developing and supporting fund-raising efforts; serving on faculty and institutional committees; and preparing and managing the annual budget.
Bethel University offers traditional undergraduate education to 2800 students on its St. Paul campus, adult and graduate education to approximately two thousand students in the region and online, and seminary education to more than a thousand students through campuses in San Diego, St. Paul, and four locations on the East Coast. Currently, 230 full-time and 215 part-time faculty members participate in this work. Affiliated historically with the Baptist General Conference/Converge Worldwide, Bethel has a mission built around an integration of faith and learning. Boldly informed and motivated by the Christian faith, Bethel educates and energizes men and women for excellence in leadership, scholarship, and service. We prepare graduates to serve in strategic capacities to renew minds, live out biblical truth, transform culture, and advance the gospel. The Director of the University Libraries supports the mission of the university, including the academic programs, faculty, and students in the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Adult and Professional Studies/Graduate Studies, and the Seminary. This support includes traditional library services as well as an Information Commons where Instructional Technology Consultants and library staff collaborate to enrich the educational experiences of Bethel's students, and to support faculty in their teaching and research.
Requires an ALA-accredited MLS/MLIS degree (additional master's degree strongly preferred), minimum of 5 years of appropriate administrative experience in an academic library, and strong record of excellent, collaborative leadership in the profession. In addition, the candidate must be committed to the liberal arts educational mission and evangelical Christian orientation of the university and demonstrate commitment to excellence in student learning, mentoring staff, and supporting scholarship. Candidate must demonstrate the ability to contribute to Bethel's anti-racism efforts and cross-cultural understanding. For complete description visit our website.