Position Overview
Butler University Libraries invites applications for the position of Head of Instruction. This position provides leadership and vision for Butler Libraries’ information literacy program and subject liaison librarians. They lead information literacy initiatives supporting the University’s core and discipline curricula, assess how information literacy instruction impacts student learning, and provide support and development opportunities for librarians in relation to enhancing instructional effectiveness. They collaborate with the Dean of Libraries and department heads in strategic planning, the setting of library priorities, policy formulation, personnel management, budget allocation, and the development and implementation of strategies to best carry out the mission of the Libraries. As a library faculty member, the position also has liaison responsibilities: to provide library instruction, collection development, and research support for a selected college or department(s). This is a 12-month, continuing (non-tenured) faculty appointment and reports to the Dean of Libraries.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Ensure the success of the Libraries’ information literacy instructional program through analysis, planning, integration, and assessment of the Libraries’ instructional offerings within the university curriculum
- Provide leadership, long-range planning and communication across all library faculty and staff involved in instructional activities to facilitate a coordinated, user-centered effort
- Set vision and priorities regarding instructional resources, and operationalize modes of library curricular offerings for in person, online, and asynchronous library instruction
- Cultivate a collaborative, supportive, and inclusive work culture reflective of Butler University’s shared values
- Provide ongoing supervision, mentorship, and support to liaison librarians, empowering them to excel in their roles and as a team while ensuring an environment that promotes growth, creativity, and motivation among all library faculty and staff
- Evaluate liaison librarians regularly both formally and informally, acknowledging their achievements, addressing areas for improvement, and nurturing a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous learning
- Understand and implement emerging trends and/or best practices in curricular information literacy development and support librarians in their awareness of and incorporating new strategies and best practices in their teaching, via workshops, mentoring, etc.
- Collect, maintain, and interpret statistical data relating to instructional activities to assess impact of Butler Libraries on student learning
- Work with the Dean of Libraries and the Library leadership team in the development of strategic and operational initiatives and continuous assessment of programs
- Represent the library in a leadership capacity at the University level; communicate the library’s strategic priorities and collaborate on university-wide committees and initiatives to support and further the university’s strategic vision
- Serve as liaison librarian to assigned departments/programs, delivering course integrated instruction, collection development support, and reference/research services to students, faculty, and staff of the assigned areas
- Demonstrate a commitment to improving professional skills and awareness of current issues and trends in academic librarianship through professional development activities such as: participation in and contribution to professional library organizations at the local, state, regional, or national level; developing research and/or presentation and publication projects in an appropriate area of expertise
- Other functions as requested by the Dean of Libraries
Desired Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Expertise in emerging teaching and learning practices and in curricular models within the academy, and how to connect information competencies of students with them
- Knowledge of instructional design and learning assessment strategies and incorporating accessibility principles, such as universal design
- Expertise in student research and information-seeking behaviors
- Knowledge of discipline-specific pedagogies
- Experience mentoring new and mid-career librarians
- Experience with SpringShare products, Canvas, Teams, and other instructional and collaborative technologies
- Ability to collaborate and foster relationships across the university through strategic outreach, and advocate for information literacy integration across the university
- Ability to communicate at a high level and present oneself positively as representative of the library
- Manage change effectively at both the operational and personnel level
- Demonstrated project management skills
- Understanding of, and the ability to articulate, the library’s potential contribution to knowledge management, whether in intake of research products into a repository or the policies associated with stewarding, curating, and preserving those research products
- Knowledge of copyright, intellectual property, and other policy issues affecting the management of institutional scholarly output
Minimum Qualifications:
- Master’s of Library Science from an ALA-accredited institution
- Minimum of 5 years of academic library experience in instruction and/or public services
- Strong management skills, including experience successfully mentoring, training, coaching, inspiring, and evaluating performance
- Demonstrated ability to work creatively, independently, flexibly, and in a collaborative team environment
- Strong information literacy instructional skills and abilities; experience with both in-person and online pedagogy
- Demonstrated commitment to fostering an environment of equity, diversity, and inclusivity
- Professional and scholarly achievements appropriate for appointment at the Assistant or Associate Professor rank
Preferred Qualifications:
- Prior experience successfully supervising and evaluating performance of library staff and/or library faculty
- Previous academic promotion to rank of Associate Professor, meeting guidelines in Butler’s Library Faculty Bylaws
Applications
Review of applications will begin May 12, 2025. Applicants should submit:
- A letter of interest
- Curriculum Vitae
- The names and contact information for three professional references
- A reflection on your approach to information literacy instruction (one page or less)
About Us
Butler University is a private, nationally recognized comprehensive university encompassing seven colleges: Arts, Business, Communication, Education, Liberal Arts & Sciences, Pharmacy & Health Sciences and Founder’s College. Approximately 4,500 undergraduate and 1,000 graduate and doctoral students are enrolled at Butler, representing 46 states and 24 countries.
Join us at the crossroads of tradition & transformation. A career at Butler University means so much more than a job. Join the dedicated, innovative, and supportive community of faculty and staff that is moving Butler Beyond.
Butler University is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive and equitable environment for all employees. We welcome applications from all individuals, regardless of age, gender, gender identity, sex, race, religion, color, disability, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, national origin, or any other legally protected category.