Chair, Department of Special and Area Studies Collections (SASC)
About The Position
The George A. Smathers Libraries at the University of Florida seeks a Chair for its Department of Special and Area Studies Collections (SASC). This is a year-round, 12-month, tenure-track library faculty position based in the historic Smathers Library. The Chair reports to the Associate Dean and leads a department of approximately 30 faculty and staff responsible for distinctive, internationally significant collections. The Chair provides leadership, strategic vision, and direction to expand collections and their use, increase resources, manage spaces, advocate for facility improvements, and strengthen preservation and access. Working with departmental colleagues, the Chair assesses the strengths and needs of fourteen collections, sets priorities, establishes policies, and develops service plans supporting the University's academic mission. The role also includes professional development, research, publication, and professional service in support of tenure and promotion. SASC stewards collections related to Florida heritage, Latin America and the Caribbean, Anglo-American children's literature, and Judaica. Its programs support teaching, research, outreach, and public engagement by University faculty, staff, students, external researchers, and the public.
Requirements
- Master’s degree in Library or Information Science from an ALA-accredited or foreign-equivalent program, or another relevant advanced degree in a subject specialty.
- Eight years of relevant professional experience, including progressive scholarly accomplishment.
- At least three years of leadership and supervisory responsibility in a research library, including experience leading change and fostering professional development and growth.
- Experience in effective planning and budgeting.
- Ability to cultivate and maintain effective donor relations.
- Effective supervisory skills, including the ability to listen, mentor, and lead.
- Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively with faculty, students, administrators, and the public.
- Strong potential to meet the tenure and promotion requirements in the Libraries’ Faculty by-laws.
Nice To Haves
- Additional advanced degree in a relevant field.
- Successful track record in project development and management.
- Experience with change management and strategic planning.
- Successful grant-writing experience.
- Experience managing endowments and donor relations.
- Knowledge of and interest in preservation practices for cultural heritage collections.
- Demonstrated knowledge of digitization practices related to special collections and area studies.
- Record of including individuals of diverse backgrounds, experiences, races, ethnicities, genders, and perspectives in research, teaching, service, and other work.
Responsibilities
- Collaborate with the Dean of University Libraries and Associate Dean to devise and implement strategies supporting the department’s education, research, and outreach mission.
- Work with departmental faculty and staff to define needs, set priorities, develop policies, establish goals and strategic plans, and prepare budgets for effective management and development of services and collections.
- Partner with the Dean, Associate Dean, and Director of Advancement to seek financial support for the department’s collections and operations.
- Oversee and coordinate the work of the department’s units, comprising approximately 30 faculty and staff.
- Coordinate with collection managers and communicate work to Libraries’ Administration.
- Oversee public-facing events with department faculty and staff that showcase and enhance curricular and scholarly use of the collections.
- Foster collaboration within the department, across University Libraries departments, and with other campus units in support of the Libraries’ strategic plan.
- Participate in cooperative library management through service on the Joint Chairs group, Branch Chairs, and other consultative bodies, and serve on University committees as appropriate.
- Represent SASC and the George A. Smathers Libraries at state and national levels, advancing awareness of their collections, services, expertise, and public mission.
- Pursue professional development, publication, and leadership in relevant professional organizations to meet tenure requirements.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
