Head of Research and Teaching Services

Ball State University

Muncie, IN

ID: 7252126 (Ref.No. BSU43208)
Posted: 6 months ago
Application Deadline: Open Until Filled

Job Description

Provide strategic leadership to Research and Teaching Services; plan, develop, promote, and assess innovative and adaptive pedagogical and research practices and liaison services to advance student learning, faculty teaching and research, and community engagement; cultivate an inclusive, diverse, and collaborative work environment and service culture to advance the strategic direction of the University Libraries.

The Ball State University Libraries is looking for a talented collaborator and experienced leader to join our committed and highly-engaged team as Head of Research and Teaching Services. This position provides strategic leadership to a unit of 7 professionals in the delivery of innovative in-person and virtual research and teaching services. The Head of Research and Teaching Services will have a unique opportunity to collaboratively shape the future of the unit, working directly with faculty and students to understand and develop responsive models for reference and instruction that achieve learning outcomes and support faculty excellence for teaching and research. The Ball State University Libraries is well-known for our friendly expertise and providing an inclusive, welcoming environment, and Bracken Library is a central hub of the campus filled with the energy of a vibrant community of learners. If you are attracted by the potential of this important role and are ready to join us in our mission to create a transformative experience for diverse communities of learners, we invite you to consider applying today!

Job Function:

Minimum Education:

MLS/MLIS/MIS degree from an ALA accredited program by date of appointment.

Preferred Education:

Additional advanced degrees.

Minimum Experience:

At least 3 years post-degree reference experience; supervisory experience; instructional experience.

Preferred Experience:

Evidence of increasingly responsible professional experience in an academic or public library; supervisor experience of professional or classified staff.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Supervise and manage implementation of information literacy programs and reference services within the unit; provide leadership and coordination of research and teaching efforts across verticals within University Libraries that advance strategic initiatives.
Assign and review work, orient and train staff, and make recommendations in all areas related to supervision, including but not limited to interviewing and selection, compensation, discipline, performance appraisal, and training and career development of personnel; contribute to the professional growth, development, and retention of a high-quality team of librarians and staff.
Oversee the development and maintenance of online research guides and digital instructional assets; collaboratively engage with other library units to improve discovery and use of scholarly collections and information resources.
Manage Research and Teaching Services budgets for student wages and supplies.
Share in providing reference and research services and library instruction, including evenings and weekends.
Actively participate in and positively contribute to the activities of the Libraries, university, and profession through such opportunities as related professional organizations, presentations, committee service, publication, etc.; keep abreast of professional literature and scholarly developments in areas of specialization and pursue opportunities for relevant professional development.
Perform other related duties as assigned.
Oversee collection development and maintenance for print and online Reference and Government Publications collections; serve as depository coordinator for state and federal government publications activity, ensuring program meets legal requirements.
Provide training and assessment of information literacy programs and services, incorporating best practices for in-person, online, and hybrid instructional services using contemporary frameworks for information and digital literacies and pedagogical models.
Lead coordinated outreach and community engagement in collaboration with campus partners to fully integrate research and instruction services responsive to evolving library and campus priorities, including information literacy support for Muncie and area K-12 schools.
Oversee operations for the Research & Teaching Services unit; establish unit goals; ensure communication and collaboration with other library units and individuals, as well as academic faculty and other campus units.
Participate in librarian liaison program and promote library services to the university community, establish cooperative efforts, collaborative projects, and responsive service.
Collaborate with other leaders in the Research and Branch Services vertical to coordinate activities and make service recommendations.

At Ball State University, we recognize inclusive excellence as an integral endeavor to fulfill our University’s mission and our strategic plan. We recruit, support, and retain a diverse population of students, faculty, and staff. We encourage and reward diversity of thought. We promote a work environment that encourages and rewards innovation and creativity. We pledge to keep Inclusive Excellence at the highest level of institutional importance and as a foundation in all that we strive to do. Our over-arching goal for Inclusive Excellence is to adopt a university-wide Inclusive Excellence approach to academic, administrative support, and service functions of the university. We believe Inclusive Excellence must be infused in every step we take.

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