Head of Mills Music Library

Salary: Current employees – if you are currently employed at any of the Universities of Wisconsin, log in to Workday and apply through the internal application process.

Job Category: Academic Staff

Employment Type: Regular

Job Profile: Library/Archive Manager I

The Head of Mills Music Library serves as the University of Wisconsin–Madison Libraries’ lead librarian for music and dance, overseeing all operations, services, and staff of the music library. Reporting to the Associate Dean for Collections, the position provides strategic direction for the library, establishes departmental priorities, and leads a team of four full-time staff with responsibilities spanning archival processing, audio digitization, specialized research support, and instructional services.

A major emphasis of the role is the development, stewardship, and management of extensive music and dance collections, including rare and unique special collections and archival materials for the Wisconsin Music Archives. The position advances services that support digital scholarship, composition, and creative work, ensuring that the library’s collections and expertise foster innovation in teaching, performance, and research.

The Head of Mills Music Library oversees all collection development activities and collection funds for music and dance, manages donor relations and gifts‑in‑kind, and identifies grant opportunities to support library and campus initiatives. The role directs preservation, technical services, and digitization projects and provides expert guidance on copyright and fair use. Acting as the primary liaison to the Mead Witter School of Music, the Dance Department, and related programs, the position provides advanced research services, leads instructional and outreach activities, and strengthens connections between the libraries and the broader Madison music and dance communities.

The role also includes ongoing professional development, participation in professional organizations, and service on library and campus committees to advance the mission of the Libraries. The UW–Madison Libraries lead in curating, preserving, and sharing knowledge through environments that inspire engagement, discovery, and learning. The Libraries deliver exemplary information services to advance the mission and strategic priorities of one of the nation’s leading research universities.

Shared values at Libraries include respect, inclusion, communication, collaboration, and empowerment.

This position is eligible for partial remote work. A remote work agreement may allow for a maximum of 20% remote per week. The position is full‑time, 100% (Ongoing/Renewable).

• Actively participate in an inclusive, welcoming, and respectful workplace (5%)
• Collaborate with other managers to develop and implement initiatives and technological enterprises which directly affect the libraries (5%)
• Oversee day‑to‑day management of unit operations, services, and space (15%)
• Advance librarianship/archives at the campus, local, and state level through committee participation (10%)
• Manage and implement collection development for the subjects of music and dance across a variety of formats (10%)
• Communicate the strategic direction of the department as determined by leadership (5%)
• Design, develop, and provide leadership on projects, programs, procedures, and services (10%)
• Resolve complex issues which may impact policies and procedures within the unit (5%)
• May manage the operating budget (5%)
• Perform and direct research services related to music and dance for university faculty, staff, students, and other library patrons (10%)
• May supervise unit personnel; may hire, train, coach, and evaluate employees to manage and improve performance (20%)

• At least three years of professional experience working in an academic or research library.
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in music librarianship.
• Proven experience with public services in an academic or research library.
• Experience with collection development in an academic or research library.
• Supervisory experience or experience leading teams or projects.
• Excellent communication skills…