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Join a vibrant equity-minded campus community whose excellence is reflected in its community, cultural engagement, and student success. West Chester University (WCU) Libraries invites applicants for the position of Associate Dean of University Libraries. WCU is a community of educators dedicated to developing graduates who succeed personally and professionally and contribute to the common good. We seek a dynamic and creative leader who has excellent organizational and team building skills to assist the Dean in leading the University Libraries in implementing its new strategic plan, fostering a culture of innovation, and positioning the University Libraries as leaders in supporting student success. The position begins in Spring 2025.
 
West Chester University (WCU), a member of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, is a public, comprehensive institution committed to offering high-quality undergraduate education, selected post-baccalaureate and graduate programs, and a variety of educational and cultural resources for its students, alumni, and citizens of southeastern Pennsylvania. The University offers more than 100 graduate and undergraduate programs in the sciences and mathematics, business and public management, arts and humanities, health sciences, education and social work, music, and interdisciplinary studies. We are a community of educators dedicated to developing graduates who succeed personally and professionally and contribute to the common good.
 
The mission of the University Libraries is to empower intellectual exploration through building connections, collections, and community. As an active partner in the University?s academic programs, the libraries are a major contributor to WCU?s core mission of student success. The librarian faculty members serve as both instructors of information literacy and stewards of library resources. The staff members support the operation of the libraries whether it be assisting patrons at help desks, making the various library resources ready for patron use, or providing access to library technology.
 
Reporting directly to the Dean, the Associate Dean is a key member of the leadership team of the University Libraries with a wide range of duties. As a visible face of the Libraries, the Associate Dean works closely with University senior management; develops and maintains collaborative relationships with internal & external constituents; may occasionally stand-in for the Dean. In partnership with appropriate University units and Libraries faculty & staff, this position coordinates events and communications.
 
The ideal candidate is familiar with trends in academic libraries as well as higher education in general. This individual will also mentor, develop, and supervise the professional staff and team members while overseeing daily workflow and operations. Leveraging establishing industry experience and expertise, the incumbent will identify and bring forth new ideas and opportunities that will improve operating effectiveness and efficiency. The individual will develop and maintain collaborative relationships with university partners and external entities in pursuant of the Libraries? goals and objectives.
 
Responsibilities include:

• Provide direct oversight and management of Public Services and Resource Services under the direction of the Dean
• Working with the Dean, provide coordination and strategic leadership for library-wide initiatives, library assessment activities, collection development, and communication
• Assist the Dean with administrative oversight, participate in policy development, and serve as the primary administrator in the absence of the Dean
• Assist the Dean in leading the development of strategic plans and annual reporting
• Collaborate with library faculty and staff to develop and implement the University Libraries strategic plan
• Serve on University committees and develop collaborative campus connections to position the libraries as partners on University initiatives and programs
• Supervise, develop, and mentor managers and professional staff
• Encourage and support professional and career development for library faculty and staff
• Participate in regional and national professional organizations to maintain knowledge of current library practices and emerging trends 
• Demonstrate a commitment to the University?s and Libraries? diversity initiatives by fostering a climate that values diversity, equity and inclusion

• Master of Library Science (MLS) degree or a closely related field/discipline from an accredited American Library Association institution
• Minimum of 3 years of supervisory and/or management experience at a medium to large university library
• Experience successfully leading, evaluating, and supervising library staff in a collegial environment
• Demonstrated experience successfully managing multiple projects and priorities
• Strong experience managing competing priorities and utilizing creative problem skills to solve daily operations needs and achieve goals & objectives
• Possess functional knowledge in areas of oversight and responsibility - assessment, collection development, outreach, public services, and resource services
• Demonstrated experience serving a diverse community
• Ability to effectively communicate in writing and verbally, and present dynamically to a variety of constituents
• Experience working independently and collaboratively in a team environment

• Possess a second Master?s degree
• Administrative experience at the level of Associate Dean or other equivalent library leadership position; and/or
• Knowledge of emerging trends and issues in university libraries and higher education; and/or
• Experience in university-wide service or leadership; and/or
• Experience in strategic planning and project management; and/or
• Experience working in a collective bargaining unit environment; and/or
• Experience utilizing assessment in decision-making and building a culture of assessment; and/or
• Experience promoting library outreach, events, and activities; and/or
• Experience supporting professional development and scholarship in an academic setting

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