Head of Library Experience and Services

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

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• If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click “Apply” and complete the application process for external applicants.

Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants.

POSITION SPECIFICS

Head of Library Experience and Services  

Responsibilities  

The Penn State University Libraries seeks a collaborative and engaged Head of Library Experience and Services at Associate or Full Rank to advance a culture of service quality, collaboration, and student success at Penn State University Libraries.  This position will lead a newly aligned portfolio and provide strategic leadership and operational responsibility for most of the public service points across University Park Libraries spaces, including service points at Pattee & Paterno Libraries and multiple branch library locations. This newly established portfolio consolidates previously distributed service functions under unified leadership to ensure consistent, high-quality, values-driven service experiences for students, faculty, staff, and community guests across all Libraries facilities. 

The Head of Library Experience and Services serves as an academic administrator responsible for setting departmental vision and standards and manages and mentors service point supervisors and employees. Additionally, the Head of Library Experience and Services closely collaborates with University Libraries colleagues, stakeholders, and partners to cooperatively develop and advance the Libraries' strategic priorities and values, including equitable access, inclusion, user-centered design, and continuous improvement, through the daily experience students and other patrons have at our service points. The Head of Library Experience and Services will collaborate closely with library partners and units that manage complementary programs and services within Libraries spaces on the University Park campus, managing these relationships and connecting our partners’ programmatic goals with the Libraries’ programmatic goals. 

This position reports to the Associate Dean for Learning and Engagement and is a member of the Learning and Engagement Leadership Team and the University Libraries’ Leadership Council. This position is located at the University Park campus in State College, PA and the University expects regular onsite presence to fully participate in their university workspace or on-campus intellectual and educational community.  

The successful candidate will be responsible for the following  

• Set strategic direction for the Library Experience and Services portfolio, establishing its vision, structure, and operational expectations, and leading change management efforts to unify distinct service cultures into a cohesive, values-aligned department;  

• Supervise and develop employees, directly managing service point managers, supervisors, and coordinators while fostering accountability, collaboration, and professional growth;  

• Oversee service operations, including scheduling, staffing models, cross-training, and coverage planning, to ensure consistent, flexible, and resilient service delivery, including foundational reference services, across all University Park library service points and spaces;  

• Drive evidence-based improvement by developing and applying assessment tools, user feedback, and service data to evaluate quality, identify opportunities, and demonstrate impact, championing a user-centered, inclusive approach throughout; 

• Coordinate with campus and library stakeholders, serving as the primary contact for campus units operating within library spaces and collaborating on building operations, renovations, and service integration;  

• Manage budget and resources, directing departmental budget, staffing, and resource planning;   

• Ensure compliance and safety, collaborating on adherence to University policies for safety, security, accessibility, and emergency response in library spaces;  

• Represent the Libraries in governance, serving on internal committees, task forces, and working groups, as well as representing the Libraries on external committees and consortia. 

Qualifications  

• A Master of Library Science degree from an ALA-accredited institution (or equivalent); 

• Substantial relevant experience with academic library public services including reference services, service integration, space partnerships, accessibility, operational planning, and organizational change;  

• Demonstrated supervisory and empathetic leadership and communication skills; 

• Commitment to and experience with shared governance and faculty partnership;  

• Demonstrated leadership style that promotes accountability, communication and employee engagement and demonstrated supervisory experience, including hiring, performance management, coaching, employee development and facilitating teams to foster a collaborative and supportive work environment;  

• Commitment to and demonstrated leadership experience fostering collaboration across diverse communities and supporting the success of individuals with varied backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences through practices that promote accessibility, fairness, engagement, and equal opportunity;  

• Strong reputation for distinguished scholarship and professional accomplishments and strong record of service in appropriate professional or disciplinary associations as evidence of ability to meet the requirements of a tenured position at the rank of Associate Librarian or Librarian at the University Libraries, https://libraries.psu.edu/policies/ul-acg07; 

Preferred  

• Evidence of substantive leadership initiatives that promote equal access to library resources and services, enhance accessibility, deliver exceptional customer service, and foster a welcoming environment where all users and employees are treated fairly and can fully participate, contribute, and succeed based on their needs, qualifications, and engagement;  

• Experience with fiscal/budget management; 

• Experience with leading and assessing library programs;  

• Experience with strategic planning and demonstrated ability to implement a strategic vision and lead collaborative efforts across library units and with external partners. 

Application Process    

Interested candidates are expected to upload prompt submission and a resume or CV. Application materials should demonstrate the candidate’s professional qualifications, experience, and contributions to librarianship, teaching, research, and/or service. Application materials should reflect a commitment to equal opportunity and respect for all individuals. Candidates are encouraged to highlight how their work promotes inclusive access to information and supports the academic mission of the institution.  

In addition, candidates are required to provide a response to several prompts in lieu of a cover letter. Responses to the prompts (350 word-limit each) are to be uploaded with candidate materials when applying.

Prompts to be addressed are:    

• Share why you are interested in serving in the position of Head of Library Experience and Services at this time.  

• Describe a specific initiative in which you led significant organizational change. What was your role, what strategies did you use to engage stakeholders and colleagues, and what was the ultimate impact of the change?  

• The Head of Library Experience and Services will manage a team of high-level supervisors. Please describe your approach to building an effective, supportive, and inclusive team culture. In your response, share a specific example from your experience to illustrate how you have established trust and role clarity, supported professional growth, or navigated challenges or disagreements within a team.  

• Describe a collaborative initiative involving faculty, librarians, instructional designers, administrators, or students that supported student success or employee success. How did you build partnerships and navigate challenges?  

References will be contacted later in the search process. While 4 furnished references are to be provided at the candidate’s discretion, references must include a current/previous direct supervisor, a colleague, an employee who was/is a direct report, and one at the candidate's discretion. Candidates must clearly identify the relationship for each reference provided. All references must be submitted at the time of application submission. References will be contacted later in the search process.  

Candidates currently assigned to campuses undergoing closure may be eligible for a transition plan, subject to the operational needs of the position and their current campus assignment. Any transition arrangements will be determined at the discretion of Libraries’ leadership.   

All application materials should demonstrate the candidate's impact in advancing access, accessibility, user-centered service, community engagement, and equal opportunity through their librarianship, teaching, research, and/or service. 

Academic Rank    

Candidates for the rank of Associate Librarian should demonstrate excellence in librarianship, show evidence of an established reputation in research, and have a strong record of service to the University and the profession. Candidates for the rank of Librarian should demonstrate sustained excellence in librarianship, give evidence of creativity in his/her field of specialization (including a continuing capacity for significant contributions in research and creative accomplishments), and show evidence of leadership in the profession. More information can be found in the Guideline for Promotion and Tenure Criteria https://libraries.psu.edu/policies/ul-acg07.  

BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES

This position requires the following clearances in addition to applicable background checks: PA State Police Criminal Background Check, PA Child Abuse History Clearance Form, and Federal (FBI) Fingerprint Criminal Background Check. Due to the financial and fiduciary responsibilities of this position, successful completion of a credit history check will be required in addition to standard background checks. This position requires that you operate a motor vehicle as a part of your job duties. A valid driver’s license and successful completion of a motor vehicle records check will be required in addition to standard background checks.

BENEFITS

Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional wellbeing. In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans. One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children.

For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page. (Note: For Postdoctoral benefits, please see our Postdoctoral Benefits page.)

CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.

Penn State is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging. We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belonging that supports equity initiatives, leverages the educational and institutional benefits of inclusion in society, and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of the community thrive. We value belonging as a core strength and an essential element of the university’s teaching, research, and service mission.

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