Director, Lottes Health Sciences Library

Lottes Health Sciences Library, The University of Missouri Libraries, University of Missouri - Columbia

The University of Missouri Libraries seeks an innovative and collaborative librarian to serve as the Director of the Lottes Health Sciences Library. Reporting to the Vice Provost for Libraries and University Librarian, this librarian provides visionary leadership, ensuring the library remains a vital resource for the university's health sciences community. This role focuses on shaping and executing a strategic vision that addresses the challenges and opportunities presented by rapid technological advancements and changing user expectations. The Director spearheads the development, delivery, and evaluation of new services and programs to meet the dynamic needs of faculty, researchers, students, and clinicians.

Specific Duties:

1. Strategic Leadership: Provide strategic and visionary leadership for the Health Sciences Library in alignment with MU Libraries and University priorities. Develop and lead the library in administration of its resources and services, based on strategic priorities, assessment of user needs, and knowledge of professional best practices.
2. Advocacy and Collaboration: Serve as an advocate for the Health Sciences Library and its user community. Maintain and strengthen partnerships with the School of Medicine, Sinclar School of Nursing, and College of Health Sciences, and the University of Missouri Health Care enterprise. Cultivate the development of effective relationships with relevant on and off-campus faculty, programs, and units to support teaching, learning, research, and patient care.
3. Operational Management: Manage library operations, including planning, resource allocation, collection oversight, and policy development. Oversee health information resources selection to meet existing needs within the parameters of the allocations and any other available funds. In collaboration with MU Libraries Special Collections, oversee the Ottes Library's rare book room and its collections.
4. Library Collections Strategy: Develop and implement a comprehensive strategy for the selection, management, and evaluation of library collections. Ensure that collections meet the evolving needs of the health sciences community and support the University's academic and clinical missions.
5. Data-Driven Decision Making: Leverage data to inform decision-making and support evidence-based practices. Set measurable objectives and regularly evaluate outcomes of services and programs.
6. Professional Development: Provide professional guidance and mentorship to library staff, fostering a collaborative and forward-thinking environment. Mentor library faculty in their professional development and career progression.
7. Outreach and Representation: Develop outreach initiatives and maintain relationships with University Extension and the broader external library community. Represent the Health Sciences Library in local, regional, and national library-related or health-related initiatives and advisory boards.
8. Library Administration: Participate in general library administration and policy development for the MU Libraries as a member of the MU Libraries Management Team.
9. Donor Relations: Participate as appropriate in donor relations.

Supervision:

• Provided: Direct supervision of all Health Sciences Library librarians and Veterinary Medical Library librarians and indirect supervision HSL and Vet Med Library staff members.
• Received: Works under the supervision of the Vice Provost for Libraries. There is a dotted line reporting relationship to the Dean, School of Medicine.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Education: Master's degree from an ALA accredited program; evidence of participation in continuing education after graduation.
• Experience: Required: At least five years of progressive responsibility in an academic medical or health sciences library with at least two years in an administrative capacity including oversight of personnel and resource planning.

Candidates will also be evaluated on:

• Evidence of success as a manager and leader.
• Demonstrated commitment to outreach and service. Able to articulate trends and issues facing academic health sciences libraries.
• Administrative skills related to personnel, facilities, and budget. Strong communication and interpersonal skills. Ability to plan, implement, and improve services in a continually changing environment.
• Background in health informatics, information technologies, medical library networks, user education, outreach programs, and instruction. Understanding of the health care environment.
• Record of providing library and information services in a clinical setting, including the integration of information resources into patient care and support for clinical decision-making processes.
• Experience mentoring both junior and senior staff members, fostering professional development and a collaborative work environment.

Salary and librarian rank will be commensurate with experience within an expected range of $74,000 to $95,000 per year. This position holds non-tenure track (NTT) faculty status. For information regarding title and rank, please review the MU Libraries' Librarian and Archivist Governance Document found at: https://libraryguides.missouri.edu/ld.php?content_id=79094147

A cover letter, contact information for three references and CV must be uploaded through the brief online application.

Preference for applications received by June 15, 2025. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

The University of Missouri (MU, Mizzou) was founded in 1839 in Columbia, MO, as the first public university west of the Mississippi River. Today, MU's 31,000+ students represent every Missouri county, all 50 states and 100 countries. As the state's largest and most comprehensive university, MU offers more than 300-degree programs, including 89 online options, through 12 colleges and schools and is one of only six public universities nationwide that has a school of medicine, veterinary medicine college, and a law school. The MU Office of Extension & Engagement extends the benefits of MU research to Missouri's citizens in all 114 counties in Missouri.

Considered one of the nation's top-tier institutions, MU is the only public institution in Missouri to be a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU). The University of Missouri Libraries belong to the Association of Research Libraries (ARL), the Greater Western Library Alliance (GWLA), the Center for Research Libraries, the HathiTrust, and the statewide MOBIUS consortium.

For more information on the University of Missouri and the Columbia area, please visit the following:

* University of Missouri - Columbia

* University of Missouri Libraries

* Columbia Convention and Visitor's Bureau

Columbia offers small-town friendliness with big city features and a high quality of life for people of all ages and interests. Founded on education and known as an ideal college town, its location also makes it an attractive spot for businesses and travelers. Located on Interstate 70 and U.S. Highway 63, Columbia is right in the middle of the state and the nation. Just a couple hours' drive from St. Louis and Kansas City, Columbia is Boone County's largest population center offering big-city culture, activities, and resources with a low cost of living. Columbia is home to a variety of restaurants and entertainment venues and hosts more than a dozen festivals each year. If you want to grow your career, continue your education, raise a family, and retire, Columbia is a good place to be!

This position is eligible for University benefits. As part of your total compensation, the University offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental and vision plans, retirement, and educational fee discounts for all four UM System campuses. For additional information on University benefits, please visit the Faculty & Staff Benefits website at https://www.umsystem.edu/totalrewards/benefits.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of Missouri is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

To request ADA accommodations, please call the Director of Accessibility and ADA at 573-884-7278.