Head, Fine Arts Library - The Ohio State University, Thompson Library, Columbus, OH

In an academic environment where the arts are increasingly dynamic, evolving and relevant, the Head of the Fine Arts Library leads efforts to connect the Libraries' art and design collections and research services to a multifaceted faculty, student body and community. The Head will oversee the Fine Arts Library, develop its collections and promote engagement with the arts and design disciplines at the University, and specifically support digital scholarship in art and design in collaboration with other units and visual arts leaders in the campus community and in the Columbus area. The Head will engage deeply with University efforts to strengthen the Arts District, including the Wexner Center for the Arts, Hopkins Hall Gallery, ACCAD (Advanced Computer Center for the Arts and Design), and the Billy Ireland Cartoon Library and Museum and its strategy to grow support of the visual and performing arts through its Arts Initiative. The Head will also identify opportunities for deeper library engagement with both digital and traditional fine arts scholarship, exhibitions, and projects, and will be the Libraries' leader in creating a wide-ranging support agenda for digital and fine arts research and scholarship across the University.

Management and Supervision

·         Provide vision and manage an efficient and effective department library through planning, leadership, assessment, review of physical plant, and effective delegation.

·         Provide direct supervision of two staff positions: assign job responsibilities, coach and mentor, conduct performance evaluations, and facilitate staff development and training opportunities.

·         Work closely with other Research and Education department heads to move forward an ambitious agenda for the entire Division.

 

Engaged Librarian

·         Actively engage and communicate effectively with faculty, students, and staff in assigned areas of Art; Arts Administration Education & Policy; Design; and History of Art, to develop strong working relationships.

·         Understand a range of library issues, including scholarly communication, digital initiatives, the development of new online tools, copyright, data management, and the integration of information literacy skills into the curriculum.

·         Analyze trends in departmental teaching and research programs, stay abreast of scholarship in the disciplines themselves, and use this knowledge to anticipate users' research and information needs to develop, refine, assess, and sustain research and information services and programs in all formats.

·         Champion the library as an intellectual meeting place for programming, content, and inquiry.

 

Collections

·         Strategically select material in all formats to serve the current and future research, teaching, and learning needs in assigned subject areas.

·         Broaden access to collections through digital project initiatives and actively acquire and promote both licensed and freely available digital resources of value to researchers, particularly related to data.

·         Build on collections of distinction that may also serve regional, national, and international users.

·         Work effectively with colleagues to enhance acquisition, access, discovery, and use of library collections.

 

Required Qualifications:

·         An ALA-accredited master's degree, a master's degree with specialization in archives or a master's degree in museum studies.

·         Familiarity with innovative and traditional research methods and scholarship in the visual arts.

·         Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with faculty, subject librarians, special collections and others in order to advance innovative arts research and promote integration of digital arts approaches to enrich the curriculum and research.

·         Knowledge of collection development practices and information resources for art history, art theory, art techniques, and design.

·         Supervisory experience.

·         Commitment to librarianship, scholarship, and service and evidence of, or potential to meet, the requirements of promotion and tenure.

 

Desired Qualifications:

·         Advanced training in an arts field (undergraduate or graduate degree).

·         Demonstrated experience with processes, tools, and techniques in the digital arts (image discovery, image analysis, digital media platforms).

·         Previous experience in an academic library or an organization serving a visual arts community.

·         Reading knowledge of French, German, or Italian.

 

Appointment:
This is a full-time, permanent, 12-month appointment. For appointment as a tenure-track faculty member, the candidate will be required to meet university and Libraries requirements for promotion and tenure. Salary, position type, and faculty rank are dependent on qualifications and experience.

Benefits:
The University offers competitive benefits in the form of 22 days vacation, 15 days sick leave, 10 holidays, hospitalization, major medical, surgical-medical, dental, vision, long-term disability insurance, and life insurance at 2.5 times one's annual salary. State and alternative retirement choices are also available. For a summary of benefits, see: http://go.osu.edu/benefitssummary.

Join Us!
Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Preference will be given to applications received by July 3, 2016. Please send cover letter, CV, references, and salary history and requirements to Randall McKenzie at[log in to unmask]. Please include Head of Fine Arts Library in the subject field.

The Ohio State University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation or identity, national origin, disability status, or protected veteran status.