TBR | The College System of Tennessee

We have an opening for a Dean of Library Services at our Chattanooga State campus!

Our Purpose: We support and empower everyone in our community to learn without limits. 
 
Our Values: 
We cultivate a welcome and supportive environment. 
We care about the well-being of each other. 
We instill trust through integrity and transparency. 

We encourage fearless innovation and resilience. 

We collaborate to build a better future. 

Our Mission: We are Chattanooga State, a dedicated team that delivers accessible, innovative learning opportunities that surpass expectations. Together, we enrich the lives of students, and their families; develop a talented workforce; and partner with our community to lead boldly into the future.  

The role will be responsible for the following:

Reporting to the Vice President for Academic Affairs, the Dean of Library Services is the senior administrative officer of the Kolwyck Library and Information Commons (KLIC) for Chattanooga State Community College.  The Dean is responsible for working with senior administration, college faculty and staff in setting strategic directions and policies, operational, personnel planning and management, and setting the financial priorities for the Library. The Dean is part of the Academic Deans group and works to support the curricular needs of the campus and is an active partner in student retention and success.

Position Objectives:

Holistic Student Support

• Create a safe and welcoming environment for all users to learn and collaborate
• Collaborate with other university academic and functional areas to develop services and resources to meet the needs of the campus community.
• Apply library science best practices
• Exhibit Strategic Leadership
• Develop positive relationships with various constituencies
• Provide leadership, management, and accountability for librarians and library staff to provide the best services and environment.
• Coordinate library activities of all departments and branches;
• Develop annual goals and objectives in concert with the Vice President for Academic Affairs and library personnel to meet the needs of the campus community.
• Identify and implement customer service enhancements related to library services and programs
• Provides reference and research help to a diverse population of students, faculty, staff, and community members via individual consultation in person, on the phone, chat, eLearn modules or email.
• Assist all users in finding, evaluating, and using information needed for their course assignments, research interests, and daily life.  
• Evaluates and selects materials to facilitate access to current and credible information in the library’s print and electronic collections. Continually evaluate collections to maintain its relevance to the college’s curriculum and goals.
  
  

Teaching Excellence

• Hires, trains, mentor, supervises and evaluates librarians and library staff.
• Identify training needs;
• Develop plans/programs and ensure implementation;
• Develop and oversee professional development, mentoring, and job coaching for librarians and library staff.
• Select, review, and evaluate additions/deletions of library collections – books, journals, audiovisual materials, electronic resources, etc.
• Represent the library within the college and to the general public; direct and/or participate in college-wide projects and committees as appropriate
• Promote, support and participate in student recruitment and retention efforts;
• Provide library-related information (reports, reference/research/bibliographic information, book talks, etc.) to patrons;
• Consult with college personnel and students to ensure that library services and programs support and complement the college’s mission and goals
• Identifies and promotes professional development/enrichment opportunities for librarians and library staff.
• Provide Student engagement
• Participate in the library’s instruction program

Fiscal Stewardship

• Analyze library needs and allocate financial and operational resources judiciously
• Apply library best practices to the overall operation of the library.
• Make data driven decision making in making resource decisions
• Administer the Kolwyck Development fund to purchase items to benefit the needs of students outside of state supported expectations
• prepare and administer budget;
• Assess the effectiveness of programs and services and realign resources as needed.

• Serve as a member of and lead the library leadership team and as such, participate in the library-wide planning, policy formation, and decision-making.”

• Identify, analyze and evaluate departmental needs; acquire resources as needed
  
  

Organizational Culture

• Determine staffing and assignments to meet all needs of library users.
• Model and encourage collegial working relationships
• Make space decisions to meet the changing needs of library users.
• Ensure a safe and welcoming environment for all; Live the notion that everyone has a home in the library
• Ensure a balanced collection to represent all points of views and backgrounds.
• Engage in activities that improve services and resources aligned with the libraries’ commitment to the college’s values.
• Interpret and comply with federal, state and local regulations;

Position Requirements:

Education and training: an American Library Association (ALA) accredited Master’s Degree in Library Science or Library Science equivalent.

Work experience: Five years full-time library experience AND three years full-time administrative experience in higher education

May require occasional night and weekend work.

Preferred Qualifications: In addition to position requirements, preference will be given to those that are library middle management/department head currently.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

-Knowledge: Knowledge of leadership principles and techniques; principles and techniques of higher education and best practices in Library Science; principles of a comprehensive community college
-Skills: Skills in developing and implementing academic programs; management of an academic division; strategic planning, implementation and evaluation; program review; good oral and written communication skills; problem-solving and conflict resolution; promoting a collegial governance model
-Abilities: Ability to provide strong leadership in the division; to interpret and apply federal, state, and local regulations, policies, and procedures; to maximize information/communication systems available in performance of job responsibilities; to work in a collaborative environment; to represent the College in the community; to service in an advocacy role within the parameters of the position; and to establish and maintain effective interpersonal relationships