Director of Library Services

Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary seeks someone to provide leadership for its library resources and services in support of the educational mission and vision of the seminary. Administratively, the Director reports to the Dean of the Seminary and has primary responsibility for supervising members of the library staff, manages the Ernest Miller White Library at Louisville Seminary, maintains compliance with and reporting to ATS and SACSCOC, is a member of the Administrators Council of the seminary, and represents the seminary locally on the Metroversity Librarian’s Council as well as nationally in the American Theological Library Association (ATLA). Depending upon qualifications and interest, the person serving could become a member of the faculty.

About the Ernest Miller White Library

The library’s growing collection includes more than 203,000 bound volumes, 6,600 microforms, 4,500 audio-visual resources, and 330 e-resources. It subscribes to more than 500 current print and electronic periodicals and provides access to a large and increasing number of electronic resources. The collection is particularly strong in the area of Presbyterian and Reformed history, Biblical studies, pastoral care and counseling, Black Church Studies, the life and thought of the African Methodist Episcopal, Christian Methodist Episcopal, United Methodist, and Disciples of Christ (Christian Church) churches. Yet the collection also includes a range of materials representing perspectives and subject matter broader than those represented in the present curriculum and faculty in order to facilitate study beyond those areas and to represent changing patterns of Christian reflection.

Position Responsibilities

• Build on the classic strengths of the library and explore new ways for the library to support learning and researching in an ever-evolving theological and educational landscape.
• Develop and manage the library’s collections in consultation with faculty and staff. Materials include the seminary’s substantial collection and resources in electronic form.
• Provide effective and strategic leadership for the library staff. Staff collaboration, opportunities for professional development, annual evaluations, and the hiring and onboarding of new staff are included.
• Provide overall administrative oversight of the library, which includes preparing an annual budget, monitoring the library’s budget activity, and submitting twice yearly reports.
• Formulate and implement policies for promoting and providing support for emerging technologies within the library. This will be done in consultation with campus-wide learning and technology initiatives.
• Create learning programs and opportunities to assist members of the seminary community to make full use of the library’s resources for their research and coursework, including the computer laboratory. May teach in the seminary’s curriculum.
• Develop a public presence for the library and its resources for use by wider publics. This work includes sponsoring and supporting campus lecture series, library-specific events, and promoting the mission and vision of Louisville Seminary in the public arena.
• Work collaboratively within the larger circle of librarians in metro Louisville and beyond to ensure that the seminary both contributes to and learns about promising practices in library and information services.
• Institutional Research and Effectiveness
• Serve as the Seminary’s Accreditation Liaison with ATS and SACSCOC. As such, the OIRE represents the Seminary at relevant conferences and meetings, manages annually required reporting (except when overseen by the President’s office), monitors and responds to non-regular requests for information, and otherwise maintains appropriate communications with accrediting agency staff personnel.
• Has primary responsibility for compiling and editing self-study/compliance certification reports for SACSCOC and ATS and supports Seminary leadership generally with on-site visit preparations and coordination (the most recent comprehensive reviews and on-site visits took place in 2019 for ATS, and 2020 for SACSCOC).
• Coordinated with the Dean of the Seminary, assists faculty in ongoing assessment activities for degree program improvement.
• Generally assists other members of Seminary community with ongoing efforts to assess the effectiveness of institutional programs, policies, procedures, services, and personnel by providing guidance and education on standards of relevant accrediting bodies and managing processes by which ACT departments set goals, assess results, and use results for continuous improvement.
• Maintains institutional records relating to accreditation.

Qualifications and Attributes

1. A master’s degree in library/information science from an ALA-accredited school.
2. Doctoral or master’s degree in a theological discipline is preferred.
3. Leadership experience (post-M.L.S./M.L.I.S.) in an academic library.
4. Knowledge of information technology and its role in an educational institution.
5. Ability to work collegially and communicate effectively with internal and external constituencies.

Desired Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

1. Knowledge of the PCUSA/Reformed tradition helpful.
2. Familiarity with ecumenical and interreligious traditions also helpful.
3. Experience in educational assessment and interaction with accrediting agencies.

Interested candidates must send electronically: 1) a letter of interest and 2) curriculum vitae to:

Prof. Marcus Hong, Search Committee Chair
c/o Ms. Jean Newman at jnewman@lpts.edu

Completed applications must be received by October 31, 2022. Letters of recommendation will be solicited later in the process.

Pre-employment Conditions

• To ensure a safe learning environment for students and staff, as a condition of employment the selected candidate will need to provide proof of a completed COVID-19 vaccination prior to commencement of employment or an approved exemption and reasonable accommodation.
• A background screening is required.

Louisville Seminary is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, veteran status, or disability.