Director of Library Services

The Evergreen State College•Olympia, WA

41d•Onsite

About The Position

This is a full-time, overtime-exempt position on the Olympia campus of The Evergreen State College. This position is an "at-will" appointment, exempt from Washington State Civil Service rules and the Fair Labor Standards Act overtime requirements. Position Purpose This position provides strategic leadership and administrative oversight for the operations, services, and resources of the Evergreen Library. The position ensures that the library supports the College's mission of interdisciplinary teaching and learning, equity, and student success. Working collaboratively with faculty, staff, and academic leadership, the incumbent aligns library strategy with curricular and institutional priorities, fosters innovation in information access and learning support, and promotes inclusive, student-centered services and spaces that reflect the values of Evergreen. Nature and Scope Reporting to the Vice Provost, this position leads Library Services as an instructional unit of the Academic Division and ensures that services and operations support the library's instructional mission. The position oversees and supervises the following operational and programmatic areas: Research Services, Circulation and Interlibrary Loan, Technical Service and Acquisitions, and Archives. The position provides leadership across these units to ensure coordinated library services and effective stewardship of collections, systems, and spaces. The position exercises independent judgment and authority in policy, budget, personnel, and operational decisions affecting all aspects of Library Services. The incumbent collaborates closely with the Vice Provost, academic Deans, program faculty, and administrative partners across the College, including the Office of Information Technology, Facilities, and Student Success units to ensure integrated academic support and alignment with institutional goals. The position also represents the Library in the Orbis Cascade Alliance and other professional and consortial contexts, advancing Evergreen's presence and partnerships in the regional and national library community. Library Mission The library team is committed to being a welcoming campus community that reflects and enacts the values of Evergreen's mission which emphasizes collaborative, interdisciplinary learning across significant differences. We seek candidates whose work will contribute to Evergreen's local and global commitment to social justice, diversity, environmental stewardship and service in the public interest. This includes supporting an equitable, and inclusive learning and working environments for our students, staff, and faculty. The Daniel J. Evans Library condemns discrimination in all its forms and works to continually improve its policies, procedures, and practices in this regard. In our daily work we seek to remove barriers and provide resources and services that are free and accessible, that represent diverse viewpoints, perspectives, and backgrounds, and to create an environment where everyone in our communities feels invited and welcomed.

Requirements

Master's degree in library and information science (MLS or MLIS, ALA accredited) or equivalent.
Four years of recent experience managing one or more major functions in libraries.
Proven ability to lead complex library organizations, including strategic planning, budgeting, human resources, policy development, and organizational change; skill in supervising, team-building, and fostering collaboration across differences.
Comprehensive knowledge of academic library practices, services, and trends; awareness of ALA standards and professional commitments related to privacy, fair use, ADA compliance, academic freedom, and equitable service.
Demonstrated commitment to equity, inclusion, and belonging; skilled at facilitating inclusive decision-making and collaborating effectively with diverse populations and perspectives.
Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively within and across complex institutions, such as within an academic library and across a college or university, or within a consortium.
Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills; ability to build effective partnerships with faculty, students, and administrative units to align library services with academic goals.
Strong understanding of Integrated Library Systems and emerging information technologies; proven ability to manage technology projects and apply IT solutions to enhance library services.
Ability to apply analytic, quantitative, and creative approaches to complex issues; adept at data analysis, problem-solving, and policy development.
Knowledge of fiscal management and institutional budgeting processes; effective time management, long-range planning, and attention to detail.
Knowledge of copyright, fair use, and open access issues in academic libraries.
Current understanding of trends and best practices in librarianship and higher education, including the role of libraries within liberal arts learning environments.
Exceptional service orientation, accessibility, and professionalism; commitment to student success and continuous improvement in all aspects of library operations.
Understanding of Evergreen's unique curricular structures.

Nice To Haves

Additional graduate degree or relevant academic background aligned with Evergreen's interdisciplinary curriculum.
Four years of experience in academic library leadership, including supervision, budgeting, and policy development.
Background in post-secondary teaching, information literacy instruction, and/or assessment.

Responsibilities

Provide leadership, strategic planning, supervision, and personnel management for Library Services to ensure effective, equitable, and innovative support for teaching and learning.
Maintain awareness of professional standards and best practices in librarianship; lead service improvements and operational efficiencies consistent with institutional goals.
Stay current with trends in information and instructional technology, pedagogy, and academic library services; forecast funding, technology, and accessibility needs for instructional support.
Provide strategic direction for the planning, implementation, and integration of library systems and technologies, ensuring alignment with institutional IT initiatives and that staff receive appropriate training and professional development.
Serve as budget authority for Library Services, overseeing fiscal planning, expenditures, and reporting; delegating purchasing and acquisitions decisions as appropriate.
Provide general oversight of library collection development through the Resource Selection Committee.
Ensure library facilities and physical spaces are maintained and updated to foster an inclusive, welcoming learning environment and to support long-term stewardship of the collections.
Ensure up-to-date library policies and procedures are developed, maintained, and accessible.
Oversee emergency and safety planning for the library, coordinating with Environmental Health and Safety to maintain current response procedures.
Oversee the development and delivery of library systems and technologies.
Support librarians in providing instructional support to the curriculum.
Coordinate with curriculum Deans, graduate Directors, and CAT Leaders to align library services with the academic mission and to support student learning across programs.
Collaborate with leaders of other instructional and learning support services, including tutoring, media, computing, sciences, and arts to ensure coordinated, cross-curricular instructional support.
In coordination with librarians, guide the curation, documentation, and dissemination of distinctive academic work produced through the curriculum.
Represent the Evergreen Library in the Orbis Cascade Alliance, professional associations, and other external or fundraising organizations.
Serve, or delegate service, as the College Copyright Officer and ensure compliance with relevant laws and institutional policies.
Participate in or lead specialized and complex projects, committees, and institutional initiatives as assigned.
Negotiate contracts with vendors for library resources, databases, and software.
Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

A full state benefits package which includes: paid sick and vacation leave; paid campus holidays; a generous medical, dental, life and disability insurance package for employees and dependents; retirement; optional deferred compensation and optional supplemental retirement accounts.

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