Director of Libraries

Denison University

United States, Ohio, Granville

100 West College Street (Show on map)

Feb 28, 2025

Job Posting Information

Position Type	Administrative Staff
Classification Title	Administrative Staff
Position Title	Director of Libraries
Position Number	A00047
Pay Grade Level	AD 01
Salary	$130,000 - $170,000
Department	Library
Posting Number	S 121301436
Full or Part Time	Full Time
Number of Months	12
Position End Date
FTE	1
Work Schedule	M-F 8:00-5:00, some evenings and weekends required.
Basic Function	Director of Libraries - Denison University Denison University of Granville, Ohio, seeks a strategic leader to serve as Director of Libraries. Founded in 1831, Denison University is an undergraduate institution focused on delivering a transformative liberal arts education. We prepare students for successful and meaningful lives while empowering them to form deep connections and friendships. Under the leadership of President Adam Weinberg, Denison is firmly established among its peers as one of the nation's best private liberal arts colleges. Denison Libraries are a vibrant hub of intellectual and cultural engagement, connecting people with ideas and fostering a dynamic environment where students, faculty, and staff collaborate, learn, and explore. With seven floors of diverse spaces-including quiet study areas, collaborative workspaces, a "one-button" recording studio, and a serene outdoor Japanese garden-the library is designed to support a wide range of academic and creative pursuits. Reporting to the Provost, the Director oversees an annual budget and endowed funds of approximately $4 million and leads a dedicated team of 10 professional librarians and 11 support staff members, along with dozens of student employees each semester. During a typical term, the library remains open 104 hours per week, serving as a cornerstone of campus life. While housing over half a million volumes, our library extends far beyond its walls through strong consortial partnerships with OhioLINK, a network of 120 higher education institutions that grants access to 46 million resources. We also provide seamless on- and off-campus access to over 700 databases and 26 million electronic articles, giving our users research opportunities comparable to those at much larger institutions. Denison Libraries are continually evolving to meet the needs of our community. We are investing in the future through strategic improvements, including our upcoming migration from Innovative Interfaces' Sierra to Alma/Primo, scheduled for June 25, 2025. Additionally, our building is home to Denison's Center for Learning and Teaching, the Writing Center, and the Multilingual Learning Office, further solidifying its role as an academic and cultural cornerstone of campus. University Archives & Special Collections provides students, faculty, staff, and the public with access to unique primary source materials, supporting research and scholarship across disciplines. The ideal candidate will provide strong leadership and a strategic vision for the Denison Library to implement an innovative and effective program of services that meet the evolving needs of our community of students, faculty and staff. The Director will be deeply knowledgeable about the many functions of academic libraries in higher education today and changes in educational technologies and resources, including AI. The ability to collaborate, both within the library, with Information Technology Services, and across campus, to foster a culture of excellence, and to advance Denison University's educational mission and contribute to its strategic plan are also key qualities. Essential Duties Provide innovation in support of the philosophy and vision of the College. Collaborate with the College to develop and implement a long-range plan and strategy for the library. Provide strategic leadership in the effective use and maintenance of the physical facility and resources, operating budget and endowed funds, and all related operational and administrative matters. Lead, guide, and support the development of the library staff to maintain a high degree of professional engagement and expertise, and recruit and retain new library staff as needed. Recommend and implement new initiatives, organizational structures and practices, and internal and external collaborations where needed to align with and advance Denison's mission and strategic plan. Participate in related consortia, partnerships, organizations, etc. and encourage the Library staff to do the same. Evaluate and advance library programs, services, and resources to support the teaching, learning, enrichment, and research experiences of our students, faculty, and staff. The successful candidate will also possess the following qualities: A deep understanding of and strong commitment to undergraduate education and scholarly work in a variety of forms. Exceptional leadership skills and demonstrated success in contributing to academic library planning, operations, and administration, including budgets, program development, and staff recruitment and management. Excellent communication and dynamic interpersonal skills and the ability to develop and maintain strong working relationships with campus constituencies within the library and across campus. Ability to engage in decision making at the institutional level to advance the strategic plan and educational mission. Capacity to identify opportunities and contribute to fundraising strategies and grant writing. Qualifications Master's degree in library science, information science, or a related field. 5-8 years of experience in libraries or similar setting related to academic teaching, learning, and research 3 years of management experience. Applicants should apply online at employment.denison.edu and submit the following application materials: a cover letter, a CV, the names and contact information for three professional references. Review of applications will begin on March 26, 2025, with a negotiable start date no later than September 1, 2025. Equal Employment Opportunity Statement Denison values talented faculty and staff with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives to contribute to our vibrant academic community. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, veteran status, or other legally protected classes. Title IX Notice: Sex discrimination is prohibited by federal law through Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. Denison does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education programs or activities that it operates including admissions and employment. For Denison's official Notice of Non-Discrimination, please visit https://denison.edu/forms/non-discrimination-notice. You can learn more about Title IX at Denison at https://denison.edu/campus/title-ix. Job seekers who may need a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should contact the Office of Human Resources at (740) 587-6299 or by email at HR@denison.edu.
Essential Job Functions	Essential Duties Provide innovation in support of the philosophy and vision of the College. Collaborate with the College to develop and implement a long-range plan and strategy for the library. Provide strategic leadership in the effective use and maintenance of the physical facility and resources, operating budget and endowed funds, and all related operational and administrative matters. Lead, guide, and support the development of the library staff to maintain a high degree of professional engagement and expertise, and recruit and retain new library staff as needed. Recommend and implement new initiatives, organizational structures and practices, and internal and external collaborations where needed to align with and advance Denison's mission and strategic plan. Participate in related consortia, partnerships, organizations, etc. and encourage the Library staff to do the same. Evaluate and advance library programs, services, and resources to support the teaching, learning, enrichment, and research experiences of our students, faculty, and staff.
Minimum Qualifications	Qualifications Master's degree in library science, information science, or a related field. 5-8 years of experience in libraries or similar setting related to academic teaching, learning, and research 3 years of management experience.
Preferred Qualifications	The successful candidate will also possess the following qualities: A deep understanding of and strong commitment to undergraduate education and scholarly work in a variety of forms. Exceptional leadership skills and demonstrated success in contributing to academic library planning, operations, and administration, including budgets, program development, and staff recruitment and management. Excellent communication and dynamic interpersonal skills and the ability to develop and maintain strong working relationships with campus constituencies within the library and across campus. Ability to engage in decision making at the institutional level to advance the strategic plan and educational mission. Capacity to identify opportunities and contribute to fundraising strategies and grant writing.
Physical Demands	Office environment/no specific or unusual physical or environmental demands.
Contact(s)
Contact Phone/Extension
Contact Email
Open Date
Close Date
Open Until Filled	No
Special Instructions to Applicants	Applicants should apply online at employment.denison.edu and submit the following application materials: a cover letter, a CV, the names and contact information for three professional references.
Additional Information	Review of applications will begin on March 26, 2025. With a start date no later than September 1, 2025.
Denison University Background Check Statement	The final candidate will undergo a background check as a conditional offer of employment.
Denison University EEO Statement	Denison is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status. Title IX Notice: Sex discrimination is prohibited by federal law through Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. Denison does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education programs or activities that it operates including admissions and employment. For Denison's official Notice of Non-Discrimination, please visit https://denison.edu/forms/non-discrimination-notice. You can learn more about Title IX at Denison at https://denison.edu/campus/title-ix. Job seekers who may need a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should contact the Office of Human Resources at (740) 587-6299 or by email at HR@denison.edu.