College Librarian and Director of Schaffer Library

Union College seeks an innovative and collaborative leader to serve as the College Librarian and Director of Schaffer Library. Reporting to the Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the Faculty, the Director leads a dedicated team of user-focused professional librarians and staff across Research & Engagement, Content & Digital Library Systems, and Special Collections and Archives and provides strategic direction and operational stewardship to ensure that Schaffer Library fully advances Union College’s educational and scholarly mission in service of our students.

The ideal candidate will combine a deep appreciation for the liberal arts tradition with the ability to collaboratively develop a forward-looking vision for how technology, data, and emerging generative AI tools can enhance undergraduate teaching, interdisciplinary research, and student learning.

College Librarian and Director of Schaffer Library Pay Status and Classification:
Exempt, Regular, Full-time. This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

Work Location:

This position is not eligible for a hybrid schedule. This position is eligible for relocation assistance. Supervisor:
Vice President of Academic Affairs & Dean of the Faculty

Founded in 1795 as the first chartered college in New York State, Union College is a highly selective, independent liberal arts college committed to integrating arts, humanities, social sciences, science, and engineering. Schaffer Library sits at the heart of campus, providing crucial teaching and research support, a vibrant learning commons, and a core collection enhanced by Special Collections & Archives, a Permanent Collection of works of art, and the Adirondack Research Library.

Union College seeks an innovative and collaborative leader to serve as the College Librarian and Director of Schaffer Library. Reporting to the Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the Faculty, the Director leads a dedicated team of user-focused professional librarians and staff across Research & Engagement, Content & Digital Library Systems, and Special Collections and Archives and provides strategic direction and operational stewardship to ensure that Schaffer Library fully advances Union College’s educational and scholarly mission in service of our students.

The ideal candidate will combine a deep appreciation for the liberal arts tradition with the ability to collaboratively develop a forward-looking vision for how technology, data, and emerging generative AI tools can enhance undergraduate teaching, interdisciplinary research, and student learning.

• Define, articulate, and advocate for a compelling vision for Schaffer Library aligned with Union’s next strategic plan.
• Lead long-range planning and operational strategies, staying abreast of trends and innovations across small liberal arts college environments with regard to the ways in which libraries can enhance the student experience.
• Formulate, implement, and oversee the library budget.
• Leverage consortial and other opportunities to shepherd resources optimally, including identification of external funding opportunities.
• Recruit, supervise, mentor, and evaluate direct reports.
• Promote the professional growth of library faculty and oversee promotion applications, professional development leaves and other library personnel issues.
• Cultivate a user-focused, collaborative work environment across all library employees and promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in hiring, staffing, and public-facing services.
• Monitor curricular changes to ensure robust library support for academic programs.
• Oversee core library functions to help meet the teaching and research needs of students and faculty…