Dean of Libraries
Dean of Libraries
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Job Description
ABOUT KSU
Founded in 1863as the nations first operational landgrant university Kansas State University has grown into a comprehensive research university with more than 20200 students 1300 faculty and 3000 staff members. It spans three physical campuses: the main campus in Manhattan; KState Salina home to aviation and technology programs; and KState Olathe which serves the industry and workforce needs of Greater Kansas City.
KState has nine colleges Graduate School and KState Online and offers more than 400 degrees and options from bachelors to doctoral degrees. KState Research and Extension also serves the citizenry with a presence in every county throughout Kansas and supports research in more than 20 KState departments. KState has an annual budget of more than $900 million.
KState is known for the passion and pride of its alumni. With more than 200000 living graduates the KState Alumni Association ranks in the top 10 among Power Five conferences for the percentage of graduates who are members. Private giving to the university is around $200 million per year and the value of KStates longterm investment pool is $1 billion. The university and foundation recently completed a major fundraising campaign that raised $1.6 billion.
The Princeton Review recognizes the university as one of the nations best colleges. KState also has been designated as an Innovation and Economic Prosperity University by the Association of Public and Landgrant Universities and is recognized as a Carnegie Community Engaged Institution. Commonly referred to as KState the university is proud of its welcoming environment.
Mission
At KState passion drives our purpose. Our faculty and staff are deeply committed to the meaningful impact of their work collectively shaping the future of our nextgeneration landgrant university. Every employee plays a vital role in advancing our mission touching the lives of Kansans and communities worldwide. Through our research teaching and service we strive to create positive change and realize KStates vision of becoming a leading landgrant institution.
NextGen KState Strategic Plan
Guided by the greater good.
Through the NextGen KState strategic planning process the university community identified six core values that orient our thinking inspire us to be the best versions of ourselves and serve as our guideposts as we make the decisions that drive us forward. As we live these values together we collectively express our unity as One KState in all that we do.
Connection. We are stronger together cultivating trust and building relationships to connect our KState community with our state nation and world.
Courage. We lead with bold conviction rising to the moment even when the course is uncharted to deliver the greatest good for areas of greatest need.
Impact. We listen adapt and challenge the status quo leading change through learning and discovery that transforms lives and creates shared prosperity for all.
LearnerFocused. We welcome all who seek to learn and grow providing an accessible inclusive and exceptional experience that helps them achieve their potential.
PeopleCentered. We are everything because of our people supporting valuing and inspiring our entire KState community and championing a culture of belonging for all.
Stewardship. We are committed to our future using our resources responsibly to leave a positive lasting legacy.
University and student achievements.
- Innovation and Economic Prosperity University designation Association of Public and Landgrant Universities.
- Carnegie Community Engagement Classification Carnegie Foundation.
- 96 of graduates are employed or furthering their education.
- 85.5 sustained freshmantosophomore retention rate.
- 15 times in the last 19 years KStates Black Student Union named Big 12s most outstanding Black student government council.
- 21 of students are firstgeneration.
- 500 student clubs and organizations.
- $91M in scholarships and awards in 202324.
Athletics
As a founding member of the Big 12 KState competes in the Football Bowl Subdivision of NCAA Division I. The university has garnered 18 Big 12 championships including a 2022 title in football and is coming off a memorable Elite Eight run in mens basketball in 2023. KState Athletics has maintained national acclaim as one of the NCAAs most financially solvent programs and remains one of just a few dozen universities nationwide and the only institution in Kansas to operate without use of state tax or university tuition dollars. Wildcat studentathletes continue to shine in the classroom as all programs exceeded benchmarks for the eight straight years in the latest NCAA APR rankings while also ranking among the best in the Big 12 in graduation rates.
ABOUT THE COMMUNITY
Situated in the heart of northeast Kansas scenic Flint Hills Manhattans 55000 citizens enjoy a dynamic region with shopping dining entertainment and nightlife. Manhattan is also conveniently located for quick access to major urban centers. In addition to being less than two hours from Kansas City the Manhattan Regional Airport offers multiple jet flights daily to DallasFort Worth and Chicago.
Additionally the city of Manhattan has been a valuable partner to Kansas State University in facilitating growth of the institution. Thats why the Princeton Review routinely recognizes Manhattan and Kansas State in the Top 5 community Town & Gown Relations. Manhattan has also been ranked No. 2 Best Place to Live in America by Livability. Manhattan is affectionately known as the Little Apple a nod to its East Coast namesake but has a vibrant culture all its own.
A sampling of what residents look forward to yearround:
- A costofliving index of 89 of the U.S. average according to the Council for Community and Economic Research.
- Shopping dining and socializing in Aggieville a local entertainment district with a fun energetic vibe.
- A vibrant revitalized downtown area with fine dining options and local boutiques.
- Recreation opportunities at the Konza Prairie Tuttle Creek Lake and State Park Linear Trail and more.
- A vibrant health care community including a 150bed acute care facility and an independent stateoftheart surgical center.
- The universitys McCain Performance Series which hosts acclaimed Broadway musicals comedians musicians and other entertainers.
- Exciting Big 12 athletic events from a Power 5 conference.
- Colbert Hills Golf Course ranked as the top public golf course in Kansas.
- Excellent K12 education. The local high school ranks among the top 5 percent of U.S. high schools and the district is home to several Kansas Master Teachers.
ABOUT THE KSTATE LIBRARIES
KState Libraries support and advance the teaching research and service mission of Kansas State University. In addition to five locations the Libraries maintain a robust online environment to support teaching learning and research. View our library locations.
Our Collections
Our collections are comprised of more than three million volumes and includes our special collections and university archives and digitized materials. Our budget also supports online access to more than 200 databases and 90000 electronic journals. Additionally we support open access publishing initiatives. Learn more about our collections.
Our People & Services
The expertise of the Libraries faculty and staff is our greatest resource. Our dedicated staff work with the KState community to provide services that support the mission of the university.
ABOUT THE ROLE
This is anextraordinary opportunity for a dynamic visionary and experienced leader to serve as the next dean of KState Libraries a public R1 landgrant university comprised of three campuses and nine colleges. The University serves approximately 21000 students.
The successful candidate is a collaborative leader and prominent advocate who understands and provides the strategic direction necessary to meet the evolving role of libraries in the 21st century within a public research university setting. The dean will provide strategic leadership and vision crucial in the support of the strategic initiatives and intellectual core of the university.
As the chief academic and administrative officer of KState Libraries the dean oversees multiple departments delivering exceptional library services. The dean reports to the Provost and Executive Vice President and serves on the Council of Deans and the Academic Leadership Council. The Dean of KState Libraries will also hold the faculty rank of Professor.
At KState deans are highly visible Universitywide leaders. The dean will work closely with the president provost deans and other senior leaders to advance the missions and strategic goals of the Library and the University through a shared vision of education research teaching and service. Additionally the Dean will be externally focused on developing strong relationships and engaged with the community
The dean will work collaboratively with partners across the three campuses and nine colleges to develop a broad and synergistic alignment of library services supporting the continuing transformation of KState Libraries as a center encouraging student research academic excellence and collaboration in a technologically rich environment. Student learning and success should be at the forefront of the new deans priorities while also promoting and supporting an increase in research scholarship and engagement across the university as KState pursues its strategic goal to become a NextGeneration Land Grant University by 2030.
Responsibilities and Core Duties
The dean of KState Libraries will provide overall program leadership strategic vision and direction to advance KState Libraries ensuring that plans policies practices programs and services align with university and collegelevel strategic directions and goals. The dean is responsible for the administration coordination and oversight of all activities related to strategic planning; assessment; policy development; library archives and records management services and programs; physical space; collections development and preservation; budget planning and fiscal stewardship; staffing; fundraising; and technology adoption.
Strategic Leadership 25
Works effectively and collaboratively to lead execute and manage change within KState Libraries. This includes developing strategic directions for KState Libraries and its collections and services for students and faculty; updating and reporting progress on the Libraries strategic plan; and providing visionary and effective leadership to library faculty and staff to collectively execute library strategies and achieve strategic goals.
Library Services 25
Promotes a servicebased environment to effectively support and respond to the diverse needs of academic library patrons including undergraduates graduate students professional students faculty staff alumni and the community. Supports intellectual inquiry by aligning library services with advances in research instructional delivery curriculum development and academic study. Ensures that KState Libraries stay at the forefront of changes in technology communication instruction outreach and the storage and delivery of information. Develops service and collection models that capitalize on new and innovative information formats and access technologies including the use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools.
Management of KState Libraries 25
Serves as the senior administrator for KState Libraries with oversight of planning and assessment; policy development services and programs physical space collections development and preservation fund development and financial management staffing and personnel management and technology services. Sets priorities with finite resources effectively planning and managing the financial resources of the Libraries to meet current needs while allowing for attainment of strategic initiatives. Oversee the assessment of operations programs and services and continual service improvements to increase operational effectiveness and efficiency. Nurtures staff development by recruitment and retention of highachieving and diverse Libraries faculty and staff supporting their professional growth setting performance objectives evaluating outcomes and maintaining accountability. Fosters a culture that welcomes change and innovation and values teamwork and collaboration.
Advancement Fundraising Grants Outreach and Community Activities 25
Serves as a strong and active advocate for KState Libraries and its diverse constituencies missions in teaching learning and scholarship and importance to KState now and in the future. Builds awareness of library programs and communicates the scholarship leadership and research expertise of Libraries faculty. Cultivates external relations community engagement and development opportunities. Leads philanthropic efforts to secure funding for all aspects of KState Libraries working collaboratively with the president provost deans the Friends of KState Libraries and the KSU Foundation. Represents KState Libraries locally regionally nationally and internationally.
Educational Requirements
Masters in Library Science Masters of Library and Information Science or equivalent terminal degree from an American Library Associationaccredited institution or equivalent required; additional advanced degree preferred.
Required Competencies/Qualifications
- A strong record of sustained scholarly accomplishments and of excellence in librarianship research and service appropriate to appointment at the rank of Professor at Kansas State University
- Proven leadership skills with the ability to analyze plan coordinate articulate and execute a strategic vision and initiatives and engage others in implementation
- Demonstrated success as a strategic and creative planner and outstanding collaborator and relationship builder with strong interpersonal skills
- Proven record as a successful library administrator with managerial experience including guiding strategy assessment collections development financial planning and management staffing and personnel management and technology acquisition
- Excellent organizational problemsolving and decisionmaking skills
- Record of success in advancing digital initiatives adopting new technologies and coordinating with information technology units
- Excellent oral and written communication skills with a demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with varied groups of stakeholders and audiences
- Demonstrated commitment to the development of programs and services that meet the needs of a varied population of students faculty and staff
- Deep understanding of the major challenges facing academic research libraries today particularly in a public university with evidence of engagement in working toward meeting those challenges
- Demonstrated ability to supervise lead manage and develop high performing faculty staff and teams with a commitment to an open and participatory management style and a culture of continuous professional development and learning
- Proven ability to initiate lead and facilitate transformational change and innovation initiatives be adaptable with changing conditions and comfortable with the ambiguity that accompanies a large public university
Preferred Qualifications/Competencies
- Demonstrated success securing funds through grants and external fundraising and stewardship
- A passion for the role of librarianship in public higher education with clear understanding of national trends in the academic library profession and higher education emerging areas of librarianship and scholarly communication and future trends of library technology and systems to maximize discovery and access to scholarly resources
- A history of building enhancing and sustaining partnerships across a university local communities state region and nation
- Recognition and appreciation for educational access and opportunities in a positive working environment.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Confidential inquiries nominations and applications are invited. Review of applications will continue until the position is filled. For fullest consideration application materials should be received no later than March 7 2025. Candidates should provide a letter of application describing their interest and qualifications for the position current vita and five references. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Nominations and application materials should be sent electronically via email to Martin Baker and Chelsie Whitelock of Buffkin / Baker at .
Employment Type
Full Time
