Position Information

The University of Missouri-Kansas City University Libraries are seeking a collaborative individual and effective manager to provide leadership and oversight on the operations, collections, teaching, learning and research mission of the Libraries in support of the UMKC mission. The Associate Dean of Library Services is primarily responsible for the operations of UMKC's Miller Nichols Library and Health Sciences Library, as well as for oversight of our collections strategy. They directly supervise department heads for three service point operations (Circulation, Health Sciences Library, and Music/Media Library), three collections departments (Electronic Resources & Acquisitions, Resource Sharing, and Scholarly Communications/Collection Development), and two teaching departments (Clinical Support, and Teaching & Learning).  The Associate Dean of Library Services works with department heads to establish outcomes and assessment for collections, information literacy, library services, programming, and learning spaces as they are offered in both on campus and online environments.  The Associate Dean of Library Services supports and encourages UMKC faculty in adoption of new modes of scholarly communications that enable broad distribution of new knowledge. With a strong focus on student success and retention, the Associate Dean of Library Services provides leadership for excellence in student academic support and learning, applying innovative models for delivery to enhance student engagement and academic success.  The Associate Dean of Library Services partners with other units on campus to integrate the Libraries' services into the curriculum and research. This position also expands partnerships with other libraries in the region and the country to maximize access to scholarship.

In addition to oversight of the Library Services Division, the Associate Dean of Library Services plays a leadership role in faculty affairs and development, including faculty hiring and promotions, and participates in library diversity, equity, and inclusion to support the Libraries’ work toward becoming an equitable organization. This position is a non-tenure track, ranked faculty librarian appointment with a primarily administrative workload, has supervisory responsibilities, and reports to the Dean of Libraries.

Primary duties and responsibilities include:

Library Services Division

• Provides leadership and vision for the Library Services Division;
• Promotes active dialogue with Division faculty and staff to ensure close attention to meeting library goals, planning for projects, and development of policies and procedures;
• Ensures a holistic and comprehensive approach to building collections, providing access to scholarly materials, and promoting new modes of scholarly communications;
• Ensures Libraries’ spaces are dynamic and inclusive;
• Establishes rich and active learning and research online and physical environments, tools and services to ensure academic success of students and faculty;
• Ensures equitable services to all students, faculty, and staff whether online or on campus;
• Works closely with Outreach & Engagement to market and promote the Libraries
• Partners with the Associate Dean of Special Collections and Archives to ensure consistency and continuity of service across divisions where appropriate;
• Ensures a safe and respectful library environment;

• Directly supervises 8 FTE faculty and staff.

Administration

• Understands and supports the UMKC-wide mission and priorities and the Libraries’ role in our evolving environment;
• With the Dean’s Leadership Group, sets the vision, mission, and strategic direction of the Libraries and establishes operational priorities and implementation of the strategic plan;
• Prepares proposals, budget requests, reports and other documents as appropriate;
• Works toward an equitable and inclusive work environment for all Libraries employees and is committed to building a diverse work force;
• Participates in promoting and providing visibility for a positive, responsive image of the Division, the Libraries, and our services to the University community and the community at large;
• Partners on effective outreach initiatives to the UMKC community to communicate library services in support of academic and scholarly success at UMKC;
• Supports a data-driven decision-making culture to determine Libraries priorities in support of its vision and mission;
• Represents the organization and is responsible for library operations in the absence of the Dean;
• With the dean's Leadership Group and the Libraries' faculty establishes both immediate-term and longer-term goals and objectives for space planning, personnel utilization, equipment, services, and collections.

Diversity Commitment

The University Libraries are fully committed to creating and maintaining an anti-racist and anti-oppressive environment for a diverse academic community of faculty, staff, and students. Recent initiatives are outlined on the University Libraries’ Equity Committee page. We seek individuals who will contribute to library-wide efforts to implement and maintain anti-racist and anti-oppressive practices in all services and who are committed to our core campus values of learning, diversity, integrity, accountability, respect, and collaboration.

Application Instructions: Application materials must be submitted online at UMKC Human Resources. Click View Jobs and search for ID '41112' to apply. Applicants must combine all application materials (personal letter of interest with accompanying curriculum vitae, and a list of 3 references) into one PDF or Microsoft Word document and upload as a resume attachment. Limit document name to 50 characters. Maximum size limit is 11MB. Do not include special characters (e.g., /, &, %, etc.). 

Extended search-- Applications received by May 17, 2022 will be given priority consideration.

For questions about how to apply, please call (816) 235-1621, or if you are experiencing technical problems, please call (855) 524-0002.

You may address your cover letter to: Mardi Mahaffy, Search Committee Chair. For all inquiries about the position, please contact 816-235-1531 or umkcula@umkc.edu.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Equal Opportunity is and shall be provided for all employees and applicants for employment on the basis of their demonstrated ability and competence without unlawful discrimination on the basis of their race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable state or federal law. This policy shall not be interpreted in such a manner as to violate the legal rights of religious organizations or the recruiting rights of military organizations associated with the Armed Forces or the Department of Homeland Security of the United States of America. For more information, call the Vice Chancellor - Human Resources at 816-235-1621.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the duties and functions of this job. If you believe you may have difficulty performing any of the duties or functions of this job, please contact the Office of Affirmative Action at (816) 235-1323.

EEO IS THE LAW

To read more about Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) please use the following links:

• EEO is the Law English Version
• EEO is the Law Spanish Version
• EEO is the Law Chinese Version

Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion 

Diversity, equity and inclusion are central to the UMKC mission as an urban-serving institution.Kansas City is a particularly diverse city, including African, African American, Asian, German, Irish, Italian, Latino, Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, Native American and Slavic communities.Such ethnic diversity, in addition to our thriving neighborhoods of the Westside, Northeast Kansas City and the Eastside, fosters creativity, connection and innovation, which is showcased across the region. Major attractions such as the annual Ethnic Enrichment Festival, the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, the Filipino Cultural Center, the American Jazz Museum, Guadalupe Centers and Mattie Rhodes and Kansas City Irish Fest are a small sample of the many ways our diverse city enriches us.

For the reasons enumerated above, UMKC’s strategic plan prioritizes our commitment to multiculturalism, globalism, diversity and inclusion. The university’s values call upon its faculty, staff, students and community to position themselves as global citizens who seek out, embrace and celebrate the many benefits of diversity. UMKC received the Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award in 2019 in recognition of our continued commitment to equity and inclusion. Such commitment is demonstrated across teaching, service and research. We welcome applicants to share in our commitment to these core values and know that you will quickly understand the beauty of calling Kansas City your home.

Please visit these pages to learn more about UMKC’s engagement in diversity, equity and inclusion.

• Roos Advocate for Community Change
• The Division of Diversity and Inclusion
• Annual Report
• Multicultural Student Affairs