Director of the Library

Reporting to the Academic Dean, the year-round position of Director of the Library directs and oversees all operations for the library, with an emphasis on supporting the teaching and learning needs of the Academy. Working in a collaborative environment, the Director is an engaged campus partner who fosters a welcoming and service-oriented approach, develops a strong, service-oriented staff, and orchestrates the resources, services, and technologies needed to support goals. The Director oversees and manages all textbook operations.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

  • Direct the core functions of the library by managing and curating library-related resources
  • Manage collection development, emphasizing current and future curricular goals, and curate a robust, diverse collection of materials.
  • Manage and allocate budgetary and space resources to provide access to relevant and helpful materials in the collection, including print and electronic media, for all patrons, thus supporting the mission of the school
  • Manage the scheduling of Library meeting spaces in consultation with the Academic Dean’s office
  • Establish and preserve an inviting space for student learning and productive pursuits, in collaboration with other stakeholders
  • Collaborate and partner with Academy community members, teaching faculty in particular, to develop and implement programs, such as information literacy sessions, to support student learning
  • Oversee and manage textbook ordering and buyback operations to allow smooth acquisition of relevant texts for all academic departments
  • Keep abreast of changing trends in the provision of library service, best practices, professional and technology standards, artificial intelligence (AI), licensing, and regulatory requirements. Investigate and evaluate new programs and prepare recommendations and budgets.

Staff Management

  • Manage the Library Staff on a day-to-day basis, including scheduling work assignments, reviewing and developing individual skills, and promoting good communication and a positive work culture
  • Provide guidance and solutions for day-to-day issues, ensuring smooth departmental operations
  • Accurately report employee time and attendance to Human Resources
  • Coordinate time off, ensuring adequate coverage, schedule overtime, and assignment adjustments as needed
  • Manage overall work performance, objectives, and career development of direct reports, including review and development of individual job skills to ensure the most effective and productive team

Teaching & Assessment

  • Collaborate with the Dean of Teaching and Learning on educational initiatives
  • Create a process of ongoing assessment to ensure the Library’s success in advancing Deerfield Academy’s evolving goals in light of pedagogical, information technology, and user preference changes.

The successful candidate will have the following qualifications:  MLS or equivalent degree required, 5-7 years of experience in library leadership in academic or boarding school settings, proven managerial, supervisory, collaboration, communication, people skills and proficiency in working with a diverse and wide range of individuals, including adolescents, experience with and ability to learn about or become proficient with various computer systems, software and technology appropriate to libraries, excellent oral and written communication skills with an ability to instruct and train students and faculty, strong organizational skills and the ability to work at a very high rate of accuracy, ability to provide coverage during instances of adverse weather and emergency situations to ensure services and service points are covered, ability to work independently with initiative, as well as part of a team, strong background in library research and detail-oriented, ability to manage, and sensitivity to, confidential information and a demonstrated commitment to diversity and inclusion and to serving the needs of a diverse community.

 

Click here to apply.

Equal Opportunity Employment Policy

Deerfield Academy is a private, coeducational boarding school located in western Massachusetts with 650 students and 130 faculty. The Academy was founded in 1797 and has no religious affiliation.

Deerfield Academy is committed to equal employment opportunities for all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, creed, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, pregnancy, protected military veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.