Associate/Assistant Dean of Information Services & Law Library Director

ST THOMAS UNIVERSITY INC•Miami Gardens, FL

1d•Onsite

About The Position

St. Thomas University College of Law seeks an innovative and experienced leader to serve as its next Assistant or Associate Dean of Information Services & Director of Law Library ("the Director"), a senior leadership position in the College of Law. The Director reports directly to the Dean of the Law School and is the chief administrative officer for the Law Library. The Director is responsible for all operations within the library, including planning, budgeting, administration, and supervision of four public services law librarians. The Director directly assists library patrons and monitors the library to ensure that all programs and services fully support the academic, research, and practical needs of Law School students and faculty, as well as the broader University community. The Law Library is part of the unified STU Library System, and the Director co-reports to the Dean of STU Libraries regarding library system shared services, including technical services. The Director must be committed to promoting the Law Library's strong connection with students and helping the Law Library serve as a focal point for student learning and engagement. The Director also must have a rich understanding of contemporary trends and the evolving roles of law libraries in legal education, particularly with respect to emergent technologies. The Director is also a member of the full-time faculty and is expected to teach courses in coordination with the needs of the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs. The Director will be eligible for long-term contract status, which provides security of position, and will also have full voting rights at faculty meetings on all matters, except matters pertaining to tenure and promotion of tenure-track faculty. The Director may be granted lateral tenure or seek tenure at STU.

Requirements

J.D. degree from an ABA-approved law school and a Master of Library Science from an ALA-accredited institution.
Five to seven years of experience working in an ABA-approved law school law library.
Previous supervisory experience required.
Familiarity with the library budgeting processes.
Familiarity with ABA accreditation standards related to law library and information technology.
Experience working closely and collaboratively with a diverse student body, faculty, staff, and alumni.
Substantial experience with and interest in emerging informational and instructional technologies, including artificial intelligence.
Experience with educational technologies such as Canvas, Teams, and Stacks.
Deep understanding of legal information, library services, and the related needs of law students and faculty.
Knowledge and ability to work with legal databases and common law school and educational technologies, and the ability to design library instructional tools.
Strong technical skills, interest in technology, and the ability to troubleshoot simple technology problems, failures, or deficiencies- expertise with law school technologies such as TWEN, Lexis Classroom, Canvas, is essential.
Ability to understand library system technology that can be used to improve services, instruction efforts, and workflows.
Strong and effective communication skills, both oral and written.
Strong supervisory skills with the ability to manage and develop staff.
Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to work effectively with students and faculty from a wide diversity of backgrounds and educational experiences.
Organizational, planning, and administrative skills, including the ability to work effectively on broad as well as detailed projects.
Ability to work in a network environment, including working with an integrated library system.
Strong service orientation and effective problem-solving skills.
Flexibility with work assignments and work hours.

Nice To Haves

Rank of ‘Assistant’ or ‘Associate’ Dean for Information Services title depending upon experience and qualifications.

Responsibilities

Oversee all aspects of the day-to-day operation of the Law Library, including supervising all library staff, planning and managing the Law Library's budget, managing the facility, developing and maintaining the collection, and negotiating contracts with vendors and content-providers.
Works with the Dean and other members of the law school and University community to help determine the overall course and direction of the Law Library, including developing long-range plans for the library's collections, technology, personnel, and physical plant needs.
Work closely with the Dean of Libraries and other STU Librarians to ensure uniformity of service to the STU community.
Follows the direction of the Dean of Libraries regarding shared services, including the integrated library system (ILS) and all technical services, including acquisitions.
Coordinates with the Collection Management Services Director to administer the library's electronic resources management system, monitor its effectiveness, coordinate and evaluate data on electronic resource usage, and implement improvements as identified.
Designs and implements innovative programs and services, including incorporating technology and social media into instructional, research, and collaborative educational and law practice tools.
Provides strategic, long-term planning for the Law Library in conjunction with the needs of the law school and the University Libraries.
Implements and oversees the Law Library’s human resources policies, including recruitment, hiring, evaluation, and training, and the hiring of student employees and research assistants.
Interviews and participates in the selection of staff; conducts performance appraisals and suggests professional development opportunities in accordance with university policies and procedures.
Serves as the primary liaison between the College of Law and IT to ensure that law-school-specific IT needs are met.
Serves on the University President’s Technology Advisory Committee, representing the interests of the law school community.
Works with IT to ensure law school classrooms are properly equipped for the needs of the law school faculty and pedagogy.
Serves as Canvas administrator for the College of Law in coordination with campus IT and the law school registrar to ensure the continued availability of Canvas courses to the law school community.
Maintains and provides information and statistics needed in the preparation of reports for accreditation agencies, including: ABA, SACS, SEFLIN, Department of Education, and any other relevant agency.
Coordinates with the Collection Management Services Director, Associate Dean for Accreditation in the College of Law, and the VP for Strategic Planning and Effectiveness in providing relevant information.
Teach one three-credit course each fall semester or spring semester as requested by the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. Additional teaching opportunities may be offered as needed by the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs.
Represent the Law Library in local, regional, and national meetings as requested by the Dean.
Serve on University and/or Law School Committees as assigned.
Participate in University and Law School events as requested.
Keep informed of new trends in library services, legal education, and the legal profession.