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Exciting Opportunity at the Mary & John Gray Library!

The Mary & John Gray Library is currently undergoing a $90 million dollar renovation aimed at modernizing our facilities, improving accessibility, and expanding services. This transformation will enhance research and study opportunities for the Lamar University community.

About This Role:

The Head of Learning & Research at Lamar University reports to the Dean of the Gray Library and is a member of the senior leadership team. This position manages, evaluates, and supervises the faculty and staff of the department, with responsibilities including the development and implementation of best practices and innovative strategies to enhance the library’s support for learning and research. Additional duties include overseeing team operations, fostering a collaborative work environment, building partnerships with faculty, developing and assessing instructional and research programs, promoting library resources across campus, and driving innovation by staying informed about emerging trends in academic libraries. This is a 12-month tenured/tenure-track faculty appointment.

What You’ll Do – Position Responsibilities:

Instructional Leadership

• Coordinate, develop, and oversee the library’s credit-bearing courses, including LIBR 1101 and LIBR 1301.
• Lead and expand the course-integrated instruction program to promote information literacy across the university, incorporating active outreach and exploring new instruction methods.
• Oversee the creation of instructional materials, such as handouts, research guides, videos, and interactive tutorials.

Research and User Support

• Lead the research personnel in providing high-quality research support, both in person and virtually.
• Develop and implement new services to meet user needs in collaboration with other librarians.
• Oversee the library’s collection of research guides (LibGuides).
• Supervise outreach efforts to promote library resources to stakeholders, including Lamar University and Lamar Institute of Technology.

Departmental Management and Growth

• Supervise librarians and staff within the department, developing goals and benchmarks for growth, ensuring high performance, and generating quarterly and annual reports for library reporting.
• Participate actively in the library’s administrative leadership team.
• Collaborate with the Associate Dean to develop and analyze data to refine and enhance library services.
• Engage in scholarship and research appropriate for a tenured/tenure-track faculty librarian, including but not limited to scholarly publications, conference presentations, and professional service to the academic community, all in line with updated tenure and promotion guidelines.
• Maintain awareness of the latest trends in librarianship and information science through ongoing professional development and participation in relevant professional organizations.

Service

• Serve on university and library committees as appointed by the Dean or other officials.
• Lead outreach efforts to promote and enhance library resources within the academic community.
• Engage in professional service, contributing to the library and academic profession.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications (Education & Experience)

• Master’s degree in library or information science from an American Library Association accredited institution.
• 5 years of relevant experience in libraries and/or higher education, including increasingly complex responsibilities in a leadership position.
• Experience in developing and implementing instruction programs and managing modern library services.
• Proven ability to collaborate and represent the Mary & John Gray Library effectively through presentations and meetings.
• Inclusive decision-making and management skills, including conflict resolution and personnel development.
• Record of scholarship research and professional service appropriate for faculty rank.
• Demonstrated professional writing and communication skills with experience authoring and editing documents for varied audiences (e.g. organizational policies, white papers, academic scholarship, marketing, communication).
• Some supervisory experience of student employees, staff or faculty. Will consider relatable experience.

Preferred Qualifications (Education & Experience)

• Additional Graduate Degree in another academic discipline.
• Significant and varied experience collaborating with faculty, university students, staff and/or community members to achieve goals.
• Passion for supporting student and faculty success with demonstrated experience.
• Experience with Springshare products, including LibGuides, LibChat, LibWizard and LibCal or similar software solutions.

Physical Requirements:
Able to lift 25 pounds and be able to perform a variety of physical tasks including lifting, bending, stooping, squatting, stair climbing, and walking between buildings.

Job Conditions:
While the position is primarily on-site, it has the option of a hybrid work arrangement.

Extensive computer use.

Who We Are:
Lamar University is an accessible global university for life-long learners with a passion for broad-based community engagement. As a vital contributor to the socioeconomic wellbeing and resilience of the Gulf Coast region, our expertise is recognized locally and beyond. Lamar University is home to more than 17,000 students and is among the fastest growing Texas colleges and universities. LU is a member of The Texas State University System, which is the first higher education system of Texas and maintains the lowest average tuition and fees of any university system in Texas. With more than 100-degree options and a community that cares, Lamar students are always proud to be Cardinals.

Lamar University is committed to fostering a culture where students, faculty and staff of all backgrounds can learn, work, and serve.

Benefits:

• Life insurance
• State of Texas Retirement plans
• Tuition covered at 100% for employees, spouses and/or eligible dependents.
• Paid time off – vacation, sick, and holidays.

Documents Needed to Apply:

Required Documents

• Resume
• Statement of Teaching Philosophy
• Cover Letter
• Unofficial Transcripts

Optional Documents

• Miscellaneous

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