Director of Library and Archives

Meadville Lombard Theological School, located in Chicago's Loop is currently
seeking a full-time Director of Library and Archives who will be a key player in the
success of the institution.

About Meadville Lombard 

A graduate theological institution rooted in the Unitarian Universalist tradition,
Meadville Lombard is academically rigorous, spiritually grounded, unapologetically
progressive, and deeply committed to teaching and learning for social justice and
transformation. Meadville Lombard’s innovative education model is a low-residency
program grounded in service learning and integrated internships.

Students travel to Chicago twice a year for learning convocations and intensives in
addition to regular contact with faculty and students through a variety of technology
formats. The successful candidate must have competency in functioning in a multiracial,
multicultural, and theologically diverse learning and work environment.

Job Description

The Director of Library and Archives will be committed to leading, building, maintaining,
and supporting an active, responsive, and globally and socially engaged 21st-century
library and archives.

Reporting to the Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs, the Director of Library
and Archives is a full-time 12-month exempt administrative position. The Director is
responsible for providing information and resource services to Meadville Lombard
Theological School’s students, faculty, and staff, as well as to UU religious professionals,
the wider UU community, and researchers. The Director supervises the Assistant
Director of the Library and Archives.

Responsibilities 

Strategic

• Provides vision and strategic direction for library services consistent with the
  School’s mission and values.
• Identifies, advances, and aligns the library and archives resources and services
  to the evolving strategic and operational needs of the School, curriculum, and
  the larger Meadville Lombard community.

Instructional Support

• Initiates and supports instructional planning, delivery, and student learning through workshops, instruction sessions, outreach, and faculty collaboration.

Access

• Ensures professional, high-quality level of service for all library and archives users.
• Assures flexible and equitable access to physical and electronic collections of resources.
• Researches, acquires, and makes accessible physical and electronic resources that support the research and learning needs of Meadville Lombard students, faculty, and the larger community.
• Maintains and enhances the library and archives' physical and digital presence, with attention to reach, accessibility, and the user experience.

Archiving and Preservation

• Serves as Archives point of contact/liaison for Special Collections chairs and committees to aid in their work.
• Manages the cataloging, caring for and maintenance of physical and electronic resources.

Assessment

• Contributes to the development of, and advocates for integration of, library collections, services and programs into academic program learning outcomes.
• Assures that the library’s materials, programs, and services meet the evolving needs of our constituencies. Develops or revises systems, procedures and workflow based on an annual assessment of the effectiveness of library services and resources

Technology

• Researches, develops, and oversees the introduction, integration, and maintenance of digital library initiatives and promoting and supporting the use of innovative library information technologies.
• In collaboration with faculty and MLTS personnel, coordinates planning for the information technology needs of the School.

Compliance

• Participates in the appropriate library consortia (e.g., CARLI) to enhance and
  maintain consortia responsibilities and fulfill reporting needs. Develops
  contacts, contracts, and agreements to provide access to externally available
  databases, resources, and services.
• Ensures compliance with all School, state, federal, and accreditation rules and regulations.

Fiscal Planning and Oversight

• Develops and manages the budget to support and ensure consistency with the
  library’s strategic plan and annual activities.

Development and Outreach

• In collaboration with the Director of Development, seeks additional funding
  sources for library services and resources through grants, donations, etc.

Other

• Serves on and/or contributes to Working Groups, Task Forces, and other Committees.
• Other duties and special projects as regularly assigned.

Required Qualifications

• A master’s in Library and Information Science from an ALA accredited program required.
• A minimum of 3-5 years of experience working in libraries.
• Experience managing library automation and digital resource systems.
• Understanding of technology trends in library services.
• Familiarity with managing an archive and acquiring archive collections.
• Understanding of copyright laws.
• The successful applicant will have excellent organizational, communication, problem-solving, and time management skills; be active in professional activities/organizations; have a strong service orientation to faculty, staff, students, alumni, and the scholarly community; and maintain an ongoing interest in learning new trends in library and information technology. This person’s preference will be to work collaboratively as a part of a team and will be able to provide leadership in their area of expertise and in accordance with the school's mission and values.
• It is essential that candidates bring a high degree of intercultural competency around issues such as race/ethnicity, socioeconomic class, gender identity, sexual orientation, nationality, mobility, theological traditions, and so forth.

Preferred Qualifications

• Is conversant in human subjects research.
• An additional masters in a field related to religious studies, history, or theology.

How to Apply

Meadville Lombard Theological School offers a competitive salary and benefits package,
including spouse/partner/family insurance options. Meadville Lombard is an Equal
Opportunity Employer and encourages women, persons of color, and persons with
disabilities to apply. The School is committed to enriching its educational experience
through the diversity of its faculty, administration, and staff.

Interested applicants should submit a cover letter and resume to Lisa Kopecky, Interim
Vice President of Finance and Administration, at lkopecky@meadville.edu.

Salary range: $64,000 – $69,000

Open until filled; apply by March 1, 2023, for best consideration.

We thank all applicants in advance for their interest, however, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.