Dean of Libraries & University Librarian

Unit: VCU Libraries MBU

Department: Cabell Library

VCU Libraries is a people-centered, mission-driven community within a leading urban, public research university, supporting student success, research and innovation, scholarly and creative expression, and clinical care. The Libraries encompass the James Branch Cabell Library (Monroe Park Campus), the Health Sciences Library (MCV Campus), and the VCU Medical Center Health and Wellness Library, with global collaboration through VCUarts Qatar.

VCU Libraries has earned national recognition, including Library Journal's 2016 New Landmark Libraries Award for Cabell Library, the 2018 ACRL Excellence in Academic Libraries Award, and the 2020 MLA Research Advancement in Health Sciences Librarianship Award. Reporting to the Executive Vice President and Provost, the Dean will provide strategic leadership for VCU Libraries' mission of transforming our communities by enriching scholarship, learning, creative endeavors, and clinical care through inclusive and equitable teaching, collections, and leadership.

The Dean will lead VCU Libraries colleagues through promoting learning and teaching success; advancing research, collaboration, and discovery; fostering scholarly and creative expression; invigorating collaboration and intellectual pursuit; and improving health and well being. The Dean will steward budgets and facilities; recruit, develop, and retain exceptional library faculty and staff; and serve as an effective advocate and communicator for the Libraries' mission, achievements, and impact.

As part of VCU's senior leadership, the Dean collaborates with VCU Deans and VCU Health leaders to realize One VCU aspirations.

Leadership Opportunities

Provide Visionary Leadership for VCU Libraries

The Dean will contribute to, shape, and implement the VCU Libraries Strategic Framework 2028, aligning with Quest 2028:
One VCU Together We Transform. This includes maintaining commitment to access while elevating VCU Libraries' national reputation as one of the preeminent research library systems in the country. The Dean will be forward-looking, anticipating shifts in scholarly communication, data and AI, digital scholarship, and health sciences information dynamics, building on current successes and driving future growth and impact.

Advance the Profile of VCU Libraries

The Dean will embrace the distinctiveness of VCU Libraries and work to build its reputation and visibility in a competitive environment. This requires articulating a compelling value proposition to students and parents, championing research support and community impact, conveying the Libraries' unique advantages to faculty, clinicians, and partners, supporting library faculty and staff as thought leaders, and promoting the success of alumni and Friends of VCU Libraries.

Foster Impactful Research, Digital Scholarship, and Publishing

Research is central to VCU's mission. The Dean will develop and implement a vision for research support and scholarly expression: strengthening research lifecycle services (data planning, curation, sharing and compliance), expanding digital libraries initiatives and repository and publishing services, advancing open scholarship and rights education, and increasing visibility of library-enabled impact across disciplines and the health sciences.

Enhance Student Success and Learning

The Dean will scale library-enabled pedagogy and student-facing services, including open and affordable course content initiatives, information and data literacy, systematic review training, makerspaces, and multimedia support. The Dean will embrace online and hybrid learning and innovative methods that enrich the educational experience for undergraduate, graduate, and first professional students.

Grow Increased Philanthropic Support for VCU Libraries

In partnership with Development and Alumni Relations and Friends of VCU Libraries, the Dean will be an energetic relationship builder and storyteller who makes fundraising a top priority. The Dean will engage alumni, friends, foundations, and corporations to grow philanthropic support, including endowments for strategic priorities such as open and affordable…