Associate Dean (Academic) – Tenure-Track

Position Summary

The Dr. John Archer Library and Archives invites applications from dynamic, proactive, service- and team-oriented candidates for the tenure-track position of Associate Dean (Academic). We are seeking an innovative, motivated, enthusiastic, results-oriented librarian. As the ideal candidate, you will have a strong background in strategic visioning, policy and program development, service operations, leadership and staff engagement, and building lasting connections across the library, the university, and with community partners.

Context The University of Regina has campuses located in Regina and Saskatoon on Treaty 4 and Treaty 6 territories. These are the ancestral lands of the Cree, Salteaux, Dakota, Nakoda, and Lakota nations and the homeland of the Métis.The University of Regina is a modern, comprehensive University with a growing national reputation for excellence in teaching and research. We prepare our students to excel in the global community and our research opportunities attract the best and brightest minds. Our campus is in the heart of one of North America’s largest urban parks – a striking natural setting. It is energized by our students, faculty and staff and an ideal place to make your career. The Dr. John Archer Library and Archives is one of the most distinctive buildings on campus and features spectacular views of Wascana Lake and easy access to an extensive network of walking and bicycling trails. The city of Regina is home to numerous museums, parks, and cultural events. Regina boasts a relaxed lifestyle with short commute times.

The Dr. John Archer Library and Archives supports the research and teaching of faculty and students at the University of Regina through its services, collections and information technology infrastructure. Reference and information services are both library-based and provided by librarians on-site in faculties, departments and research centres. Instruction in finding information is also provided, both in the form of general orientations and class or subject specific instruction sessions. Dr. John Archer’s extensive collection of over 2 million items is listed in our Alma catalogue, as are the holdings of the University’s three Federated Colleges : Campion College, Luther College, and First Nations University of Canada. The Library also comprises the University Archives with collections consisting of original materials relating to the University, its faculty, staff, and students, dating from the inception of Regina College in 1911 to the present day. oURspace is the digital repository for scholarly literature, research results, official communications, and materials which define the cultural context of the University of Regina and Saskatchewan. The Library is a partner with several external organizations, including CRKN (Canadian Research Knowledge Network), COPPUL (Council of Prairie and Pacific University Libraries), CARL (Canadian Association of Research Libraries), the Multitype Library Board, and the Consortium of Academic and Special Libraries of Saskatchewan (CASLS).

About the Position

Reporting to the Dean, University Libraries and Archives, the Associate Dean (Academic) provides vision and leadership to the planning, development, implementation and administration of liaison activities, user services, research services, and collection development —key integrated components of the academic lives of our students and faculty.

The Associate Dean (Academic) provides leadership and mentorship across library units and working groups to enhance and expand excellent user-focused physical and digital services and experiences that advance both the (All Our Relations : kahkiyaw kiwâhkômâkaninawak) as well as the Archer Library’s supporting .Working closely with the Dean, the Associate Dean (Research), the Library Leadership Team, Librarians’ and Archivists’ Council, and other Archer Library and Archives working groups and committees, the Associate Dean (Academic) contributes to the development and implementation of the Library’s budget, strategic plan, collections, and services.The Associate Dean (Academic) is also responsible for supporting the work of existing and emerging local, provincial, regional and national consortia including CASLS, COPPUL, the Multitype Library Board, and CARL. This position is also responsible for building successful relations with key stakeholders across and beyond the institution ensuring that the Archer Library remains a critical knowledge, innovation and social hub.

Additional responsibilities include :

• Working with librarians and staff to develop individual and collective priorities, goals and action plans that operationalize the library’s strategic objectives;
• Monitoring campus academic priorities and growth, and providing leadership in the area of teaching, learning and research;
• Leading the development and implementation of enhanced, user-focused services that advance University goals;
• Anticipating problem areas and acting to avoid conflicts and address challenges during the implementation of policies, programs and services; identifying potential policy issues and problems, and developing strategies for resolution;
• Fostering an environment of continuous improvement; monitoring, responding to, and anticipating user and stakeholder feedback; developing action plans that demonstrate commitment to ongoing service improvement;
• Working closely with the Associate Dean (Research) to ensure that user needs are well understood and that library services are aligned with and responsive to present and future needs of students and faculty;
• Mentoring and leading staff in a multi bargaining unit environment;
• Maintaining strong relationships with Faculties, Departments, and other academic units to ensure alignment between, and support for, Library and University initiatives and priorities;
• Fostering a culture of leadership and innovation at all levels within the Library. Position Requirements
• An ALA-accredited or equivalent Master’s degree in information / library science;
• Management experience within the context of an academic or research library;
• Demonstrated experience in developing library policy, articulating vision and providing leadership and direction towards achieving strategic goals;
• Proven capacity to work flexibly within a management team;
• Proven expertise, experience and / or publishing / presentation record in at least one of the following areas : public service delivery, collection management, or teaching, learning and research;
• Demonstrated understanding and knowledge of trends in evolving modes of teaching, learning, and research, collection development and use, and corresponding changes to library service delivery and use of emerging technologies;
• Demonstrated experience in developing working partnerships with academic departments, other campus communities, and the broader community;
• Evidence of highly developed interpersonal skills; excellent written and oral communication skills.

It would be an asset for the candidate to have one or more of the following :