Title: Head of Health Science Library Services

Location: Buffalo, New York

Department: University Libraries

Description:
Reporting to the Associate University Librarian for Research, Education, and Outreach, the Head of Health Science Library Services provides leadership and direction for integrating libraries services, resources, and expertise with the research, teaching, learning, and outreach activities of UB’s five health sciences schools: The Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, the School of Dental Medicine, the School of Nursing, the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, and the School of Public Health and Health Professionals. The HSLS staff and faculty serve the health sciences virtually and in person at all of the UB campuses, including the newly established Jacobs School of Medicine Library on the downtown campus.

We seek candidates who demonstrate awareness of trends in scholarly communication, evidence-based healthcare, interprofessional education/practice, and the information needs of clinicians, as well as those candidates who possess the ability to engage a variety of stakeholders. Candidates should be conversant in NIH public access policy compliance issues and similar requirements. The Head of HSLS will bring creativity to this leadership role and work closely with the AUL for REO to craft a strategic plan and vision for HSLS. The Head will guide and implement twenty-first century information services for the UB health sciences community. The successful candidate will serve as the head of and full member of the HSLS team and will contribute to the research literacy efforts of students, faculty, staff, and key partners of the health science schools and their affiliates. The Head of HSLS will directly supervise liaisons to all of UB’s health science schools. The Head of HSLS will advocate for appropriate staffing levels and establish regular continuing education opportunities for current staff. The successful candidate will communicate actively with fellow professionals through research, publishing, and presentations at local, regional, and national venues.

We are committed to selecting the person who best fits the needs of the University at Buffalo Libraries, and who will be able to advance our vision of becoming a premier academic research library. This is a tenure-track faculty position. Based upon the University and Libraries’ standards in librarianship, research, service and outreach, it is anticipated that the successful candidate will be appointed at the rank of Senior Assistant Librarian or Associate Librarian.

Minimum qualifications:

  • Master’s degree in library or information science from an ALA-accredited program (or equivalent)
  • At least five years of experience working in an academic health science library or library system
  • Three or more years of managerial experience
  • A record of successful leadership and administrative accomplishment
  • Evidence of increasing responsibility in previous positions
  • Extensive knowledge of scholarly resources used within the health sciences and/or related fields
  • Extensive knowledge of the different information needs of the wide array of stakeholders in academic health science communities
  • Proven leadership in implementing program assessment goals, strategies, and measures
  • Strong service orientation and the ability to work effectively with colleagues, teaching faculty, clinicians, and community members in a diverse community
  • Comfortable working in an environment undergoing transformative change
  • Flexibility and the ability to react quickly to the changing needs of a vibrant academic community
  • Excellent analytical and organizational skills
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
  • Demonstrated professional development that includes publications, participation in professional associations and service to the profession, reflecting the capacity to achieve tenure

Preferred qualifications:
Undergraduate or advanced degree in life science or health science field

Professional Rank, Salary and Benefits:
Rank and salary are dependent upon qualifications and experience. Library faculty are members of United University Professions (UUP) and receive generous benefits including health care and prescription drug coverage, dental and vision benefits, life insurance, long-term disability insurance, vacation leave, sick leave, paid holidays, and several choices of retirement plans including TIAA/CREF.

To Apply:
To submit an application, please visit our website and search for posting number F1700061. Interested candidates should upload a CV and a separate cover letter that includes contact information for three professional references (including email addresses). The Libraries’ Human Resources Officer may contact you and ask for a statement of research and service interests. Candidates invited to interview for the position will be expected to give a short presentation to faculty and staff of the University Libraries. Nominations and/or questions may be addressed to Cherie Williams, University Libraries’ Human Resources Officer, [email protected].

The University at Buffalo Libraries:
The University at Buffalo Libraries contribute strategically to the University at Buffalo’s vision of becoming a model 21st-century public research university by providing outstanding resources, experts, services, and spaces that enrich the research, teaching, learning, and outreach activities of UB’s diverse faculty, students and staff as well as those of our external partners. The University Libraries advance intellectual discovery, information literacy, and lifelong learning, all in support of the University at Buffalo’s strategic goals in research, teaching, and service.

As the largest academic research library in the State University of New York (SUNY) system, the University at Buffalo Libraries have an extensive online and print collection, including many locally digitized collections covering a wide range of subject areas. There were more than 3.3 million uses of the Libraries’ print and digital collections last year. The 4.2 million volumes of the University Libraries include 767,000 e-books, and the journal holdings include over 162,000 scholarly journal subscriptions. Our holdings also include 6.2 million microforms, more than 43,000 music recordings, and a substantial multimedia collection. The University Libraries are comprised of eight physical facilities, including the Charles B. Sears Law Library and the Music Library. We serve over 3.8 million users per year in our buildings.

The University at Buffalo:
The University at Buffalo (UB) joined the public State University of New York in 1962 and has grown to become the largest and most comprehensive university in the SUNY system. Widely regarded as SUNY’s flagship and its primary center for professional education and training, the University at Buffalo was also the first of the two public universities in the state to earn membership in the pre-eminent Association of American Universities, one of only 59 research-intensive universities in the United States to hold that distinction. Located on an international border, the University at Buffalo is truly a global community of scholars, ranking first in the nation among comprehensive public research universities in terms of percentage of enrollment that is international.

The Buffalo-Niagara region is the state’s second largest major metropolitan area, exceeded only by New York City. The region includes a diverse blend of communities, each with its own distinct personality, yet commonly characterized by a distinctly neighborly way of life, an unpretentious nature and spirited loyalty among residents.

The University at Buffalo is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer, and is committed to providing employment opportunities to minorities, women, veterans, disabled individuals, and other protected groups.