Department Chair, University Library
Governors State University

Description

The Department Chair, University Library at Governors State University (GovState) is an administrative position at the rank of Associate Professor or Full Professor, and reports to the Dean of the University Library. The Department Chair, working with the Dean, is responsible for faculty and staff evaluations, collaborative work with the other academic units and assists the Dean in overseeing a $2 million budget. The Department Chair supervises faculty librarians. The Department Chair will also work with the Dean in planning and promoting several signature destinations within the library: 1) Junior Jaguar Learning Lab, 2) Digital Humanities Lab, 3) Research Data Center, 4) Innovation Hub, and the 5) Social Equity And Research Collaboration Hub (see descriptions below).

Additionally, the Department Chair will work with the Dean on the hiring and evaluation processes for tenure-track and non-tenure-track faculty; resolving conflicts informally and formally; resolving student concerns; and representing the Library and Dean's Office internally and externally. The Division Chair has the primary responsibility for providing curricular and instructional leadership, and for coordinating the academic resources of the library and expanding the scholarship and funding opportunities. The Department Chair is a visionary, enthusiastic, and dedicated individual who will commit to the University mission, and with ability to implement library plans, goals, and objectives.
Governors State University is the only regional, public, comprehensive university in Chicago's south suburban area, serving approximately 7,750 students. GovState provides affordable and accessible undergraduate and graduate education to culturally and economically diverse students with undergraduate tuition that is the most affordable in the state.Established in 1969, GovState emphasizes excellence, access, and innovation. Students benefit from the university's high academic quality, range of convenient class times, increasing hybrid and online, and off-campus offerings, and outstanding educational value. GovState is committed to securing and maintaining academic accreditation for programs where accreditation is available. Furthermore, GovState seeks to become a national leader in the successful transfer of community college students to universities and recently introduced the Dual Degree Program with features such as tuition lock-in at GovState for academically eligible community college students who commit to earn an Associate Degree and attend college full-time.The campus, conveniently located in University Park, Illinois, is characterized by the quiet of its scenic 760 acre campus amidst vigorous suburban and business growth, towns of character and interest, along with Metra access to the vibrancy of the Chicago Loop, just 35 miles away. The campus and surrounding community enjoy the excellent cultural offerings of Governors State University's Center for Performing Arts, as well as its acclaimed Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park.Essential Responsibilities

35%Regularly meets with and assesses performance and activities of the faculty librarians and deal with any personnel or work issues. Works to constantly update and improve workflow, library coordination with the various academic departments.25 %Works with the Dean on planning for library improvements, new staffing, and other budgetary proposals.25 %Meets regularly with the Dean and other Academic Affairs leadership to plan and discuss current, new, and proposed initiatives. Works to ensure that the library is maintaining currency in research materials.%Coordinate and/or facilitate special projects as needed.Attends and participates in meetings as required.May serve as library liaison within a GovState College.5 %Other duties as directed by Dean of the University Library
Signature Destinations
Junior Jaguars Learning Lab (JJLL) -- serves the Family Development Center (FDC) and the early childhood education program as an active library supporting teacher certificate training requirements.Innovation Hub (IH) -will offer a location to translate ideation to invention with creativity and design skills; -promotes a project-based learning and entrepreneurial environment for solving real-world problems;- is supported by onsite specialists and technology such as a podcasting studio, gaming computers, 3D printers, digital interactive whiteboards, and a green screen;Research Data Center (RDC) - will support transdisciplinary research through data acquisition, handling, and curation. Specifically, the RDC provides expertise, tools, and infrastructure necessary to manage and steward research data. The RDC will 1)…provide a suite of data management services including workshops, presentations, and individual consultations; 2)…maintain, operate and secure public access of research data from Gov State analogous to UI's Data Bank; 3)…support SEARCH.The Social Equity and Research Collaboration Hub (SEARCH)The SEARCH is an umbrella destination serving the GovState community of scholars as well as offering the Southland a clearing house of resources supporting evidence- and experiential-based insights using tangible, measurable, and innovative ideas to inform public administration, economic and policy creation, priorities and resiliency. SEARCH leverages faculty expertise to examine and resources critical to problem-solving evident in problem-based learning, capstone projects, and case studies. Digital Humanities Lab (DHL) -- offers space, community, and resources to pursue DH research questions in the arts, humanities, and humanistic social sciences. The DHL offers consultations, training to students, faculty, and cultural heritage professionals in their engagement with digital tools and techniques. Applications of the DHL includes creating digital text editions, building virtual exhibitions, performing analysis of all kinds (text, A/V, network, spatial), data visualization, metadata transformation, and more.Required and Preferred Qualifications

Required Education and Experience

ALA-accredited Master's degree in Library or Information Science

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) or in progress ABD; or an additional Masters in a field that is comparable to those offered through GovState.

Three years of progressively responsible academic library experience with a minimum of one year of supervisory experience.

Demonstrated management-level experience working with unionized faculty within collective bargaining environment.

Strong interpersonal, communication, analytical, problem solving, collaboration, and organizational skills.

Record of peer reviewed publications.

Desired Education and Experience

Experience with budgets.

Record of successful grants.

Previous leadership at Departmental level.

Demonstrated experience in project management.

Supplemental Information

Please attach the following documents to your application:

• Cover letter
• CV or Resume
• Transcripts

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until position is filled. For priority consideration a complete application should be submitted by December 15, 2024.

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