Head Librarian, Hedi Steinberg Library

Position Summary

Hedi Steinberg Library serves as Yeshiva University’s primary library on the Beren Campus, supporting a distinctive dual mission: maintaining a rich Judaica collection alongside a robust general academic collection that serves students and faculty across a wide range of disciplines. The library is the primary resource for students and faculty in the Stern College for Women, the Katz School of Science and Health.

The Head Librarian provides strategic and operational leadership for the Hedi Steinberg Library, overseeing its Judaica and general collections, research services, instruction, access services, and outreach. The Head Librarian works under the guidance of the Director of University Libraries, supervises a team of unionized professional librarians, supervisory professional librarians, and support staff, and manages a discretionary materials budget of $10,000.

Position Responsibilities

• Lead, develop, and evaluate a team of professional and support staff, fostering a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performing work environment.
• Develop the Library’s print, electronic, and media collections spanning both Judaica and general academic disciplines through data-informed decision-making, faculty and student input, and active selection in support of curricula and research across the Beren Campus.
• Implement collection management best practices and provide stewardship for the Library’s Judaica holdings, as well as its general academic collections.
• Accelerate the growth of programs in support of student success across Katz School programs and Nursing, including research services, instruction, access services, course reserves, and interlibrary loan.
• Develop, build, and promote the progression of instructional models to cultivate information fluency in accordance with the ACRL Framework for Information Literacy for Higher Education.
• Assess and evaluate library programs and services using quantitative and qualitative methods, communicating findings to inform continuous improvement and demonstrate impact.
• Oversee all aspects of circulation policies, procedures, and access services operations, ensuring equitable and efficient service delivery.
• Oversee resolution of access and technology issues in coordination with Library Technology and Digital Services staff.
• Manage the Library’s collections and operating budget responsibly and transparently, including approving purchases and transmitting invoices in a timely manner.
• Provide research services as needed.
• Collaborate with University Libraries colleagues in strategic planning, policy development, and cross-branch initiatives.
• Steward the Library’s physical spaces as welcoming, functional learning environments.
• Follow developments in the profession and apply them as appropriate.
• Participate in professional activities through publications, presentations, and service in professional organizations.
  
  

Experience & Educational Background

• ALA-accredited master’s degree in library science required.
• An advanced degree in Jewish Studies or a related Judaica field is strongly preferred.
• Candidates with a relevant advanced degree and substantial leadership experience in an academic library setting with demonstrated Judaica expertise will be considered.
• Minimum of five years of progressive library experience, including at least two years in a supervisory or management role.
• Experience with Judaica collections or in a research library serving science, health, or professional graduate programs is highly desirable.
  
  

Skills & Competencies

• Demonstrated innovative and entrepreneurial approach to user-centered library service.
• Strong oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with students, faculty, administrators, and staff.
• Proficiency in spoken and written Hebrew preferred; knowledge of additional foreign languages relevant to Judaica scholarship is desirable.
• Experience with assessment methodologies and data-informed decision-making.
• Familiarity with emerging technologies relevant to academic libraries, including digital scholarship tools, AI applications, and evolving information landscapes.
• Demonstrated ability to manage budgets and allocate resources strategically.
• Collaborative leadership style with experience working across units and departments.
  
  

Salary Range

$87,000 - $90,000

About Us

Yeshiva University is dedicated to academic excellence, intellectual exploration, and the advancement of timeless values that shape and impact lives. With a rich tradition rooted in Jewish thought and heritage, YU fosters a dynamic learning environment across its undergraduate, graduate, and professional schools. Our mission is to cultivate the next generation of leaders who will contribute meaningfully to society, guided by a commitment to ethics, innovation, and service. Our community extends far beyond the classroom, encompassing thousands of students, faculty, staff, and more than 70,000 alumni and supporters worldwide, all working together to build a brighter future.

As a Yeshiva University employee, you will be part of a welcoming, diverse, and intellectually engaging community that values collaboration, excellence, and professional growth. We offer a supportive and stimulating workplace with tangible employee benefits, opportunities for advancement, and a strong sense of purpose. Beyond professional development, YU is committed to ensuring a high quality of life for its employees, offering a work environment that prioritizes well-being, work-life balance, and a culture of mutual respect. Every role at YU contributes to our broader mission of education, research, and societal impact, ensuring that all members of our community—students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends—are inspired to make a difference. We invite you to bring your talent and passion to YU and join us in shaping the future.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Yeshiva University is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing employment opportunities to all employees and candidates without regard to race, color, age, sex, national origin, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.