Library Director – Mid-America Nazarene University – Olathe, KS

Job Summary

The Mabee Library at Mid-America 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 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.

• Provide strategic direction and day-to-day management of library operations, resources, and personnel.
• Lead a collaborative and student-centered team culture that reflects the university’s Christian mission and values.
• Supervise and mentor professional and student staff with servant‑leadership—building capacities in others for leadership, initiative, and shared responsibility, particularly for student paraprofessionals.
• Maintain a strong campus presence—meeting with faculty, visiting classes, and representing the library in diverse campus settings.
• Manage the library’s budget and resource allocations with transparency, data-informed decision-making, and entrepreneurial revenue generation.
• Represent the library within university governance structures.

• 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 directors’ networks.
• Regularly seek opportunities to ask campus stakeholders, “How can we serve you better?”
• Represent the library at academic and co‑curricular events; actively promote library services and programs.

• Participate in student-centered library instruction, information literacy initiatives, and research consultation services.
• Encourage embedded and 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.

• 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.

• Master’s degree in Library and Information Science from an ALA-accredited program.
• At least five years of progressively responsible library experience, including supervisory or administrative responsibilities.
• 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.
• A personal faith in Jesus Christ and alignment with the university’s mission and values.

• Second subject doctorate or master’s degree for academic specialization.
• Experience in a Christian liberal arts college or small university environment.
• Record of innovative programming and student engagement.

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