What are the responsibilities and job description for the Dean of Library Services position at Western Carolina University?
The primary location of this position is on-site in Cullowhee, NC. This position is designated as being a Senior Academic Administrative Officer (SAAO).
The Dean of Library Services serves as the chief administrative and academic officer of Hunter Library, part of the Division of Academic Affairs, reporting directly to the Provost. This position provides strategic leadership, overseeing the library’s functions and aligning its goals with university priorities. Key responsibilities include developing strategies that support curriculum, research, and student learning in collaboration with faculty and academic leaders.
The Dean of Library Services is also responsible for financial management, including budget planning and compliance with university policies. Supervising library staff, managing performance evaluations, and fostering professional development are essential aspects of the role. The Dean will lead on tenure and promotion matters and the integration of library services into academic programs.
Representing Hunter Library in meetings with the Provost, senior leadership, and external stakeholders is vital, along with supporting fundraising efforts. Finally, the Dean ensures efficient daily operations, focusing on service delivery and policy compliance across library units. The Office of the Dean includes an Associate Dean, a Business Officer, an Executive Assistant, an Administrative Support Associate, and a Special Initiatives Librarian.
About Hunter Library:
Hunter Library is a member of the University Library Advisory Council (ULAC) for the University of North Carolina. The library shares an integrated library system and lending services with participating institutions across the UNC system. Hunter Library maintains a robust collection of physical and electronic resources that serves the curricular and research needs of the university’s students, faculty, and staff. The collection includes over a million print and electronic books; access to more than 100,000 journals; and digital and physical collections that document the university, the surrounding natural environment, and regional history and culture.
Through a subject specialist model, librarians at Hunter Library work in close collaboration with teaching faculty and offer information literacy instruction that prepares students to succeed in the research required for both their academic and professional careers. Hunter Library offers many additional services and spaces, including the Curriculum Materials Center, which serves the College of Education and Allied Professions as well as students enrolled in WCU’s lab school, and the Scholar Studio, a space housing equipment, technology, and support services for students creating analog and digital research products.
The Dean of Library Services serves as the chief administrative and academic officer of Hunter Library, part of the Division of Academic Affairs, reporting directly to the Provost. This position provides strategic leadership, overseeing the library’s functions and aligning its goals with university priorities. Key responsibilities include developing strategies that support curriculum, research, and student learning in collaboration with faculty and academic leaders.
The Dean of Library Services is also responsible for financial management, including budget planning and compliance with university policies. Supervising library staff, managing performance evaluations, and fostering professional development are essential aspects of the role. The Dean will lead on tenure and promotion matters and the integration of library services into academic programs.
Representing Hunter Library in meetings with the Provost, senior leadership, and external stakeholders is vital, along with supporting fundraising efforts. Finally, the Dean ensures efficient daily operations, focusing on service delivery and policy compliance across library units. The Office of the Dean includes an Associate Dean, a Business Officer, an Executive Assistant, an Administrative Support Associate, and a Special Initiatives Librarian.
About Hunter Library:
Hunter Library is a member of the University Library Advisory Council (ULAC) for the University of North Carolina. The library shares an integrated library system and lending services with participating institutions across the UNC system. Hunter Library maintains a robust collection of physical and electronic resources that serves the curricular and research needs of the university’s students, faculty, and staff. The collection includes over a million print and electronic books; access to more than 100,000 journals; and digital and physical collections that document the university, the surrounding natural environment, and regional history and culture.
Through a subject specialist model, librarians at Hunter Library work in close collaboration with teaching faculty and offer information literacy instruction that prepares students to succeed in the research required for both their academic and professional careers. Hunter Library offers many additional services and spaces, including the Curriculum Materials Center, which serves the College of Education and Allied Professions as well as students enrolled in WCU’s lab school, and the Scholar Studio, a space housing equipment, technology, and support services for students creating analog and digital research products.
Minimum Qualifications
- Interested candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need for employment sponsorship or any immigration-related assistance.
- Earned MLS or equivalent terminal degree from an ALA-accredited program or an advanced degree in a related field with evidence of achievement and promise for academic library leadership. Strong record of professional and scholarly experience qualifying for tenure at the rank of associate or full professor.
- Demonstrated leadership experience in key academic library positions, with a solid understanding of the core functions of academic libraries.
- Proven advocacy for university libraries as fundamental to the academic enterprise and student success.
- Knowledge of core functions and trends of academic libraries that include circulation and interlibrary loan departments, technology services, special and digital collections, research and instruction, and a curriculum materials center.
- Significant experience in budget management and financial oversight.
- Commitment to employee development, actively supporting the growth of staff and tenured, tenure-track, and fixed term faculty.
- Experience in shared governance, demonstrating the ability to build consensus, engage in transparent decision-making, and foster a collegial work environment while effectively collaborating with broad constituencies both within and outside the library.
- Exceptional interpersonal skills, characterized by a clear and open communication style.
- Knowledge of tenure and promotion processes as they relate to faculty positions in academic libraries.
Preferred Qualifications
- Demonstrated success in developing and implementing innovative approaches in response to changes in scholarly communication.
- Familiarity with operations and goals of a regional comprehensive university and its academic library.
- Knowledge of tenure processes, with specific experience in mentoring faculty through these processes.
- Experience in securing external funding through grants and private fundraising initiatives.
- Understanding of information technology as it pertains to library services and instructional support in addition to physical and digital forms of collection management, preservation and access.
Position Type
Permanent Full-Time
Number of Hours Per Week
40
Number of Months Per Year
12
Posting Text
Open Date
12/19/2025
Close Date
Open Until Filled
Yes
Special Instructions to Applicants
The salary for this position is competitive and commensurate with qualifications. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until a candidate has been selected for hire.
To complete your application, please include:
- A letter detailing your interest in and qualifications for the position.
- A current curriculum vitae. The names and contact information of at least five references, including their job titles and institutions.
Please note that candidates who advance in the selection process will be contacted prior to the search committee reaching out to your references. At least one reference must be a current or former direct supervisor.
All applicants must submit their application materials through WCU’s jobs application site. Hard copy materials will not be accepted for consideration.
For questions or additional information, please contact search committee chair Dr. Kim Winter at kkruebel@email.wcu.edu or (828) 227-7311.
For questions or additional information, please contact search committee chair Dr. Kim Winter at kkruebel@email.wcu.edu or (828) 227-7311.
Background/E-Verify
Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks.
Western Carolina University uses E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify. Proper documentation of identity and employability are required at the time of employment.
Western Carolina University uses E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify. Proper documentation of identity and employability are required at the time of employment.
Credential Verification
All new employees are required to have listed credentials/degrees verified within 30 days of employment. All new employees who will be teaching are required to provide official transcripts within 30 days of employment. Transcripts should be provided for the highest earned degree and/or the degree which is being used to satisfy credential/qualification requirements.
EOE
Western Carolina University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race; color; ethnicity; religion; sex; pregnancy; sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; national origin; age; disability; genetic information; political affiliation; National Guard or veteran status, consistent with applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations, and policies, and the policies of The University of North Carolina. Persons with disabilities requiring accommodations in the application and interview process please call (828) 227-7218 or email at jobs@email.wcu.edu.
University Safety
The Western Carolina University Annual Safety Report is available online at University Annual Safety Report or in hard-copy by request at the office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, 227 HFR Administration Building, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828-227-7147) or the Office of University Police, 111 Camp Annex, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828-227-7301). The report, required of all universities participating in Title IV student financial aid programs, discusses crime statistics, procedures for reporting suspicious or criminal activity, security, police authority, crime prevention strategies, university policies on substance abuse and sexual offenses, workplace violence and fire safety.