Title:     Hartford Campus Library Director
Rank:    Librarian 3 – Manager or Librarian 4 – Manager
Area:     Academic Engagement
Job ID:   494894

The UConn Library seeks a collaborative and visionary leader to serve as director of the UConn Hartford Campus Library.  Located within the Hartford Public Library in the heart of Connecticut’s vibrant capital city, the UConn Hartford Campus Library serves UConn Hartford students, faculty, and staff in support of research and academic scholarship.  The Hartford Campus Library Director will also partner with Hartford Campus and Hartford Public Library colleagues to envision, sponsor, and enact original programming and services for the UConn Hartford campus and extended community. 

Reporting to the Associate University Librarian for Academic Engagement, the Hartford Campus Library Director is responsible for providing an excellent academic library experience for faculty and students. The Director supervises four full-time staff members to collectively advance the unit and the UConn Library through engagement and collaboration with Library-wide initiatives and colleagues at the main Storrs campus and across the University’s other regional campus libraries.  The successful candidate will demonstrate excellent leadership, communication, professional judgment, knowledge sharing, relationship building, and decision-making practices while reinforcing the principles of inclusion and equity in daily responsibilities.  Along with all UConn Library personnel, the Hartford Campus Library Director will demonstrate respect in all interactions within the Library and across the University and will exemplify the UConn Library values of kindness and trust, curiosity and inquiry, equity and inclusion, and having fun.

Responsibilities

• Leads and manages the UConn Hartford Campus Library, overseeing daily operations, staff, collections, services, collaborations, and initiatives, serving UConn Hartford students, faculty, and staff in support of research and academic scholarship.
• Develops, implements, and evaluates Library policies and procedures as related to position responsibilities.
• Advances collaboration with the Hartford Public Library, the pre-eminent partnership in the work of the Hartford Campus, working closely with campus and public library leaders and staff.
• Initiates and maintains successful relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including donors.
• Serves as a member of the UConn Hartford campus leadership team, connecting the UConn Hartford Campus Library to research, teaching, and learning on the Hartford campus.
• Positions the UConn Hartford Campus Library to support research initiatives and community engaged scholarship on the Hartford campus, such as the Global Sustainable Cities Initiative.
• Serves as library liaison for one or more academic or administrative areas.
• Researches community educational and research needs and utilizes principles and best practices in in-person and online instruction.
• Reinforces the principles of equity, diversity and inclusion, working collaboratively with individuals of diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives in advancing EDI efforts.
• Maintains active engagement and creates significant contributions in professional activities at a statewide, regional, and/or national level.

Shared Expectations for Supervisors

1. Assigns, oversees, reviews, and evaluates work of direct reports.  Establishes work schedule(s) and approves timecard(s).  Maintains supervisory files.
2. Promotes collegiality and inclusivity and is communicative about priorities, opportunities, and challenges.  Encourages new thinking and ideas and actively fosters open communication.
3. Creates a positive workplace culture through promotion of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.
4. Follows the Performance Management Guidelines as outlined by the Library, Human Resources, and the staff member’s contractually specified evaluation process.
5. Provides training and assistance to each direct report.  Supports involvement in professional development activities and provides internal development opportunities as appropriate to each position.

Shared Expectations for All Staff 

1. Applies the principles of the Library’s Strategic Framework and core values through active contribution and cooperation in achieving Area and Unit priorities and operational goals.
2. Demonstrates reliable and effective written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills to provide excellent professional service and collaborate with other departments and divisions within the Library and across the University.
3. Demonstrates active learning in and communication of ongoing trends and developments related to professional and positional responsibilities. 
4. Works effectively in current office applications, software, and communication tools as employed by the UConn Library and University of Connecticut.
5. Exhibits appreciation of, sensitivity to, and respect for a diverse working environment, inclusive of social, economic, cultural, ideological, gender, racial, and ethnic backgrounds.
6. Performs duties parallel to position responsibilities as required.

Minimum Qualifications for Appointment as a Librarian 3 – Manager

1. A graduate degree in Library and Information Science from an American Library Association-accredited institution (or international equivalent).
2. Minimum of six years related professional experience.
3. Supervisory experience with knowledge of principles and best practices of employee supervision. Must demonstrate values of collegiality and cultivate an inclusive, participatory team environment to support and lead an experienced staff.
4. Evidence of advancing programmatic and service initiatives in support of academic teaching, learning, and research.
5. Proven public service skills with the ability to build and maintain collaborations in support of civic engagement.
6. Knowledge of the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
7. Evidence of advanced interpersonal, oral and written communication skills.
8. Ability to maintain active engagement and create significant contributions in professional activities at a statewide, regional, and/or national level.

Additional Minimum Qualifications for Appointment as a Librarian 4 – Manager

1. Minimum of nine years related professional experience.
2. Evidence of successfully providing education and research support through in-depth knowledge of principles and best practices of in-person and online instruction.
3. Knowledge of scholarly research and communications processes at a mastery level.
4. Evidence of leadership and/or creating significant contributions in professional activities at a statewide, regional, and/or national level.

Preferred Qualifications

1. Evidence of success in reinforcing and promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion and working collaboratively with individuals of diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives.
2. Exceptional critical thinking and creative problem solving skills.
3. Knowledge of assessment standards and best practices.

Appointment and Application Terms

This is a full-time position based in Hartford, Connecticut. The University offers a competitive salary, outstanding benefits, including employee and dependent tuition waivers at UConn and a highly desirable work environment. Rank and salary are dependent upon education, qualifications, and experience.

Applications must be submitted online using UConn Jobs (reference search # 494894) and include a cover letter, detailed resume, and contact information for three professional references. Candidates should address in their cover letter and/or resume how their candidacy meets the position responsibilities, minimum qualifications, and preferred qualifications (if applicable).

Nominations and inquiries should be sent in confidence to ellen.silbermann@uconn.edu. To ensure full consideration, inquiries and applications should be submitted by January 10, 2021. (Search #494894)

Employment at UConn

UConn is one of the top public research universities in the nation, with more than 30,000 students pursuing answers to critical questions in labs, lecture halls, and the community. Knowledge exploration throughout the University’s network of campuses is united by a culture of innovation. An unprecedented commitment from the state of Connecticut ensures UConn attracts internationally renowned faculty and the world’s brightest students. A tradition of coaching winning athletes makes UConn a standout in Division l sports and fuels our academic spirit.

UConn is committed to building and supporting a multicultural and diverse community of students, faculty and staff. The diversity of students, faculty and staff continues to increase, as does the number of honors students, valedictorians and salutatorians who consistently make UConn their top choice. More than 100 research centers and institutes serve the University’s teaching, research, diversity, and outreach missions, leading to UConn’s ranking as one of the nation’s top research universities. UConn’s faculty and staff are the critical link to fostering and expanding our vibrant, multicultural and diverse University community. As a vibrant, progressive leader, UConn fosters a diverse and dynamic culture that meets the challenges of a changing global society.

With the move from West Hartford to downtown Hartford, the faculty and staff at UConn Hartford have built upon the campus’s historical strengths while leveraging exciting new possibilities our new location in the state capital affords. Aligned to the University’s mission and core values, UConn Hartford connects its diverse student body to teaching, research, and service in and about the global city. With a vision of academic excellence focused on community-based, collaborative learning, UConn Hartford plays a critical role in advancing the University’s commitment to innovation, leadership, global engagement, and cultural and intellectual diversity.

UConn Hartford offers undergraduate classes in 36 departments and masters, doctoral and certificate programs in five disciplines. Academic offerings span seven schools and colleges (Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources; Business; Education; Engineering; Fine Arts; Liberal Arts and Sciences; Social Work). UConn Hartford has a highly diverse undergraduate population. With a large first-generation (49%) and minority (57%) student body, including sizable Muslim and veteran populations, our campus community and classrooms greatly benefit from this diversity. Since many of our students come from educationally under-resourced communities, our student support staff work diligently to provide them access to much-needed academic services. Student, faculty, and staff partnerships with Hartford community organizations enhance learning and research opportunities and bring positive change to individuals, organizations, neighborhoods and/or larger systems in our community. We challenge our students to apply these experiences to their academic success, civic development, personal and career growth and a deeper understanding of larger social issues.

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