Access & User Services Manager

Austin College is a nationally recognized independent liberal arts college located in Sherman, Texas, just north of Dallas. Founded in 1849, it is the oldest institution of higher education in Texas operating under its original charter and name. The college maintains a historic relationship with the Presbyterian Church (USA) while welcoming individuals from all backgrounds. Austin College is known for academic excellence, especially in international education, pre-professional training, and leadership studies.

It is one of 40 institutions highlighted in Loren Pope's book Colleges That Change Lives, underscoring its commitment to transformative undergraduate education.

The Access & User Services Manager is a full-time, on-site role based in Sherman, TX, responsible for overseeing frontline library services and ensuring a positive, inclusive experience for all users. Day-to-day tasks include managing circulation, reserves, and stacks maintenance; supervising and scheduling student workers or staff assigned to service desks; and coordinating building access, opening and closing procedures, and security-related matters.

The role also involves providing in-person reference and basic research support, assisting users with technology and library systems, and monitoring service quality through user feedback and usage data. The manager collaborates with librarians and campus partners to improve user services, updates policies and procedures, and supports outreach and instruction efforts that promote effective use of library resources.

• Candidates should possess strong user services and public service skills, including experience with circulation, reference assistance, and customer support in a library or similar setting.
• Candidates should possess organizational and operational skills, such as scheduling, workflow coordination, and attention to detail in managing day-to-day desk and building operations.
• Candidates should possess technology and systems skills, including familiarity with integrated library systems, basic troubleshooting of user-facing technologies, and comfort with common office software.
• Candidates should possess communication and interpersonal skills, including clear written and verbal communication, collaborative work style, and the ability to engage respectfully with a diverse campus community.
• Candidates should possess supervisory and training capabilities, including experience guiding student workers or staff, setting expectations, and providing constructive feedback.
• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent combination of education and experience) required; prior experience in academic or public library access services is highly beneficial. Preferred, but not required: some graduate-level coursework in progress or completed toward earning a Master's degree in Library Science (MLIS, MLS, or similar).
• Demonstrated commitment to equity, inclusion, and accessible services for all users, and the ability to support the mission and values of a liberal arts college.