Position Summary

The Director of Library and Learning Resources is first and foremost an educator and an active member of the academic community. Reporting to the Dean for Academic Affairs, the Director takes initiative to engage students and faculty directly, teaching them to find, evaluate, and use information effectively and critically, and championing Burrage Library as a center of learning rather than only a place to house and manage collections. In this spirit, the Director leads the University of Olivet's library services, research support, and information literacy for both residential and online learners.

Sustaining this outward-facing work requires a strong foundation. The Director also manages the collections, systems, budget, and daily operations that keep resources accessible, reliable, and current, increasingly through electronic and consortially shared resources. These operational responsibilities support the position's central purpose rather than define it: the aim is a library that actively teaches, reaches out, and serves, not one that simply maintains a space and a collection.

Because the University is a small, student-centered institution, the Director also carries two closely related responsibilities that extend the library's educational mission into the wider student experience: supporting students and faculty in the use of the learning management system and related digital learning tools, and serving as the campus liaison for course materials and textbook affordability in partnership with the bookstore. Both functions draw on the expertise the Director already brings to library resources, and both keep the position focused on a single purpose, helping students obtain, afford, and effectively use the materials and tools they need to succeed in a relationship-based learning environment.

Burrage Library is envisioned as the hub of academic life outside of the classroom, an active space for teaching, learning, research, and collaboration. The Director shares this vision, models active membership in the academic community, and works to create a vibrant, welcoming environment for residential undergraduates, online learners in graduate and undergraduate programs, and advanced scholars.

Performance Outcomes

The success of the Director of Library and Learning Resources will be demonstrated by the following:

Measurable growth in student and faculty engagement with information literacy instruction, outreach, and research support.
Students and faculty who can find, evaluate, and use information effectively and critically, supported by an active and visible library presence in the academic community.
Effective support for faculty and students in the use of the learning management system and digital learning tools.
Reduced cost of course materials to students through coordinated course materials, open educational resource, and course reserve initiatives with the bookstore.
Library services, collections, and systems that reflect emerging trends and best practices for academic libraries and that deliver reliable access for on campus and online learners.
A vibrant, welcoming library environment that serves as the hub of academic life and supports research, scholarship, and creativity.
A balanced annual library budget that delivers resources and services efficiently.
A trained, well supervised student workforce and a positive service culture.

Primary Responsibilities

Research Instruction, Outreach, and Library Services (approximately 65 percent of work time)

Take initiative as an active, visible member of the academic community, reaching out to students, faculty, and departments to connect them with available information resources and to teach effective, critical use of those resources.
Develop, deliver, and assess information literacy and research instruction for students and faculty, in person and online, building their ability to find, evaluate, and use information effectively and critically.
Partner proactively with faculty and departments to integrate research and information literacy into courses and the curriculum.
Provide responsive reference and research consultation to students, faculty, staff, and the community.
Provide professional leadership and vision for Burrage Library as an active space for learning, research, teaching, and collaboration.
Develop and maintain the library's collections, including academic research databases, electronic resources, and print materials, and establish policies for acquisition, subscription, and deaccession.
Oversee daily operations, including circulation and interlibrary loan services, and the library systems and catalog, including the evaluation and implementation of new electronic resources and platforms.
Aid in the development and monitoring of a balanced annual budget, including processing purchase orders, invoices, and annual standing orders in coordination with the Dean of the College.
Identify and pursue consortia and shared service opportunities to expand access and control costs.
Hire, train, supervise, and evaluate library student employees, interns, and volunteers in accordance with applicable laws and University policy.
Contribute to a clear, realistic strategic plan for the library in alignment with the University's strategic plan, and participate in campus-wide initiatives and working groups.
In accordance with FERPA and best practices, maintain the confidentiality of student records and use discretion at all times.

Digital Learning and Learning Management System Support (approximately 20 percent of work time)

Serve as a primary point of support for students in navigating the learning management system and related digital learning tools.
Partner with faculty to embed research guides, information literacy content, and library resources within courses in the learning management system.
Provide instruction and create guides, tutorials, and orientation materials that build students' digital and information literacy.
Coordinate with information technology staff on digital learning tools, referring technical system administration and account issues to the appropriate office.
Support online learners with equitable access to library and learning resources.

Course Materials and Bookstore Liaison (approximately 15 percent of work time)

Serve as the campus liaison for course materials in partnership with the bookstore, with a focus on lowering the cost of materials to students.
Promote and support the adoption of open educational resources and library licensed materials as affordable alternatives to commercial textbooks.
Coordinate course reserves and connect required course materials with library and electronic holdings where possible.
Collaborate with faculty and the bookstore on the timely identification, availability, and accessibility of course materials each term.

Supervision and General Responsibilities

Work constructively and cooperatively with staff, faculty, and administrators, and collaborate across departments to foster a vibrant campus community.
Actively pursue personal growth and professional development.
Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Master's degree in library science (MLS or MLIS) from an institution accredited by the American Library Association.
A minimum of three years of experience in the successful administration of library services, with preference for academic or college library settings.
Demonstrated leadership and supervisory experience, including budgeting and administrative responsibility.
Demonstrated commitment to and skill in teaching or training students and faculty in the use of library and research resources.
A proactive approach, ready to take initiative, with a demonstrated commitment to active, visible engagement with students, faculty, and staff in an academic environment.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience teaching or supporting learning in person and online.
Familiarity with a learning management system and with embedding library content in online courses.
Experience with open educational resources, course reserves, or textbook affordability initiatives.
Experience with consortial or shared library services and electronic resource management.
Demonstrated competence working with culturally diverse groups in leadership, teaching, scholarship, or service.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

A proactive orientation and genuine commitment to teaching and outreach as an active member of the academic community.
Ability to design, deliver, and assess information literacy and research instruction for diverse learners in person and online.
Knowledge of best practices and trends in academic librarianship, including electronic resources, information literacy, and library systems.
Knowledge of collection development, circulation, interlibrary loan, and cataloging practices.
Strong instructional, interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills, oral and written.
Ability to use library systems, common productivity software, and a learning management system.
Ability to manage a limited budget with attention to detail and accountability.
Ability to build relationships and work collaboratively across campus departments.
Flexibility, patience, and a student centered service orientation.

Physical Demands and Working Environment

The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those an employee must meet to perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.

Remain in a stationary position for extended periods and operate a computer and keyboard.
Use common office equipment.
Handle library materials weighing up to 25 pounds, with or without assistance.
Traverse campus and communicate effectively with diverse constituencies.
Tolerate a noise level that is usually mild to moderate.

This position description is subject to change at any time with notice to the employee. Salary is commensurate with education and experience.

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