Director of Mabee Library

University Overview: 

MidAmerica Nazarene University (MNU) is a private, liberal arts university with a variety of undergraduate, graduate, and adult education programs, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.  Located in the Kansas City metropolitan area, MNU seeks to educate students to serve with purpose within the educational context of the liberal arts, and a Wesleyen-Holiness theological perspective.  MNU has an enrollment of approximately 1300 students with over half considered traditional undergraduate students.  For more information about MNU, see our website: www.mnu.edu.

Position Description:

The Mabee Library at MidAmerica Nazarene University seeks a dynamic, service-minded Director of the Library to lead a highly collaborative and innovative team in advancing the library’s mission to build student success through high-impact practices for information literacy and academic enrichment. The library team consists of 2.0 FTE faculty librarians, 1.25 FTE staff librarians, and 12-15 student paraprofessionals.  The student paraprofessionals carry significant responsibility for one-on-one research consultation, copy cataloging, interlibrary loan, programming, archives, social media marketing, scanning services, and wide-format print services.

This role requires a highly relational and visible leader—someone who thrives on engagement across campus. The Director must be comfortable and energized by regular interaction with students, faculty, and staff through classroom visits, consultations, meetings, and outreach activities.  The new Director will inherit a well-established team, mission, and identity—and will be expected to continue in this outward-focused, collaborative direction while bringing their own vision and creativity to the next chapter of leadership.

Position Reports to: Vice-President for Academic Affairs

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Leadership and Administration
  • Provide strategic direction and day-to-day management of library operations, resources, and personnel.
  • Develop a collaborative and student-centered team culture in the spirit of servant-leadership, specially focused on building capacities in student paraprofessionals.
  • Maintain a strong campus presence—meeting with faculty, visiting classes, and representing the library in diverse campus settings including governance structures.
  • Manage the library’s budget and resource allocations with transparency, data-informed decision-making, and entrepreneurial revenue generation.
• Outreach and Relationship Building
  • Serve as the primary ambassador for the library, proactively cultivating partnerships with faculty, academic departments, faculty development, student organizations, local community constituencies, and regional/national library networks.
  • Regularly seek opportunities to ask stakeholders, “How can we serve you better?”
  • Represent the library at academic and co-curricular events; actively promote library services and programs.
• Instruction, Reference, and Engagement
  • Participate in student-centered library instruction, information literacy initiatives, and research consultation services.
  • Encourage embedded/liaison librarianship to integrate research skills across the curriculum.
  • Preserve and enhance the library’s reputation for warmth, hospitality, and community engagement.
  • Support faculty research and grant writing needs.
• Collections, Technology, and Assessment
  • Oversee collection development and subscriptions guided by usage data, curricular relevance, and budget priorities.
  • Manage digital systems and resources that support discovery and access, including the institutional repository.
  • Evaluate library effectiveness through assessment and feedback, using results to inform planning and services.

Qualifications:

• Education:
  • Master’s degree in Library and Information Science from an ALA-accredited program required. Second-subject doctorate or master’s degree for academic specialization preferred.

• Experience:
  • At least five years of progressively responsible library experience, including supervisory or administrative responsibilities
  • Experience in a Christian liberal arts college or small university environment preferred.
• Skills and Competencies:
  • Demonstrated success in outreach, relationship building, and public communication.
  • Strong interpersonal, leadership, and team-building skills; ability to inspire engagement and collaboration across campus.
  • Evidence of energy, initiative, and comfort in visible and active campus roles.
• • Commitment to student success, teaching excellence, and the integration of faith and learning.
  • Record of innovative programming and student engagement preferred.

Application: Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. To apply for the position, please attach the following documentation to your application:

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• Personal Statement of Faith, including vision for integrating faith and learning
• Philosophy of Academic Librarianship
• Professional References: 3 names with contact information

Questions about the application process may be addressed to Abigail Harris, HR Generalist, at abrubaker@mnu.edu. Questions regarding the position may be directed to Dr. Mark Hayse, Search Committee Co-chair at mahayse@mnu.edu.

Statement of Faith: MidAmerica Nazarene University is an intentionally Christian Community and desires that all employees in positions of leadership reflect a foundational Christian position in word, attitude and action. While there is no predetermined length or format for the Personal Statement of Faith, the norm is a one or two-page narrative document describing the applicant’s central Christian beliefs, significant formative influences in the applicant’s Christian experience (e.g., religious experiences of conversion or the affirmation of one’s faith, one’s family and/or home life, spiritual aspirations), and ways in which the applicant’s faith is being demonstrated in daily patterns and practices.

MidAmerica is very much interested in reviewing applications from qualified members of traditionally underrepresented groups in America, including women and racial and ethnic minorities. MidAmerica Nazarene University policy prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, gender, age, color, creed, national or ethnic origin, marital status, or disability in the recruitment and admission of students and in the operation of all university programs, activities, and services.   Any concerns regarding discrimination on the basis of gender or disability should be addressed to the Associate Academic Vice President, university coordinator of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, in the Academic Offices in Lunn Hall, (913) 971-3573.

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until position is filled.

*Christian faith and employment at MidAmerica Nazarene University: MidAmerica Nazarene University is an expression of the Church of the Nazarene. It reserves the right to prefer employees based on religion (Title VII, Section 702-703, U.S. Civil Rights Act of 1964). Preferred candidates demonstrate a strong commitment to the Christian faith, active participation in a local church, and a philosophy of Christian higher education consistent with the Wesleyan tradition.

Read the university’s full Non-Discrimination/Equal Employment Opportunity Statement at www.mnu.edu/employment.