Alfred University Libraries Begin Search for Next Dean of Libraries

The Alfred University Libraries seek an innovative leader to join a highly engaged team in the midst of a self-initiated reorganization. We are looking for someone with strong skills in advocacy, communication, and collaboration to lead us in achieving a shared vision. 
Founded in 1836, and nestled between the foothills of the Allegheny Mountains and the Finger Lakes wine region in western New York State, Alfred University is a small comprehensive private university. It is situated on a sprawling 232-acre campus where nearly 2,200 undergraduate and graduate students reside in a vibrant, student-centered learning community. Outdoor recreational opportunities are abundant at our campus location, while our New York City area satellite instructional locations keep Alfred connected with an urban experience.
Alfred University houses the New York State College of Ceramics, a Statutory College of the State of New York, creating a unique public-private partnership. One result of this distinctive arrangement is that Alfred’s students, faculty, and staff are served by two libraries: The Samuel R. Scholes Library, which supports the School of Engineering and the School of Arts and Design, and Herrick Memorial Library, which supports the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the College of Business, and AUNY (External Programs).

The Dean of Libraries is the chief administrative and budgetary officer of the University Libraries (Scholes and Herrick) and plays a key role in working with faculty, other deans, the Provost, and the President to advance the mission of the Libraries in conjunction with the mission of Alfred University. The Dean will provide strategic vision and be responsible for leading the strategic planning process to achieve that vision. The Dean will build on the current strengths of the Libraries while ensuring a solid foundation for their future. The duties of the Dean of Libraries include advocating for necessary resources including appropriate levels of staffing and adequate compensation, and representing the libraries to the greater campus, trustees, SUNY-system, and additional communities outside the University. Success in that mission will require understanding of and enthusiasm for the unique role of libraries in higher education and the ability to successfully convey this perspective to diverse audiences. The successful candidate will embrace new perspectives and have the ability to lead the library staff to identify and act on opportunities for collaboration and effective change. The Dean of Libraries will oversee the assessment of library services and their continuous improvement, which includes maintaining and reporting library statistics. The Dean ensures the delivery of quality library service to students in residence at Alfred University as well as to students in off-campus programs in New York City and Corning, NY, and provides creative leadership in identifying and highlighting the ways in which the University Libraries support campus wide retention goals.

Alfred University is a comprehensive university of 2,000 students, located in Western New York. Additional information is available here.
Send letter of interest, résumé or CV, and contact information for three professional references (address, phone number, and email) as one PDF document to humanresources@alfred.edu with Dean of Libraries in the subject line. Review of candidates will begin on January 28, 2019, and continue until the position is filled.
For more information and to apply, visit: the Dean Search LibGuide found here.