Director of Library and Miller Academic Resource Center

Beginning January 4, 2027

POSITION SUMMARY. The Director of the Library and Miller Academic Resource Center delivers strategic vision and leadership for the Library and Miller Academic Resource Center, working extensively with faculty and staff across campus as an advocate for the Library in alignment with the College’s mission.  Accountable for strategic planning, management, budgeting, promotion, and administration of the Loras College Library to create and manage an excellent Library. Provides leadership by supervising librarians and library staff, and by integrating the Library services and functions into the academic programming of the College.

Essential Functions Statement(s)

• Establish a vision for the library, including overall development, maintenance, and evaluation of general (print and digital) and special collections to support and advance the academic and student learning experience.
• Engages in ongoing assessment and continuous improvement of library programs, resources, facilities, services, and functions in relationship to college operations and mission.
• Leads development and maintenance of the print and digital collections and resources considering best practices in academic libraries.
• Works to identify, evaluate, and implement programs that improve services and facilities, enhance the quality of resources, and increase the operational efficiency within the library.
• Responsible for the administration of the library’s budget (including operational, endowed, and gifted) development through effective stewardship and ongoing assessment of library resources.
• Oversees library personnel and supports excellence in hiring, training and professional development
• Participates as an ex-officio member of select faculty committees.
• Represents and advocates for the interests of the library to the campus community and college administration.
• Collects, prepares and analyzes library reports and statistics for regional, state and national agencies.
• Committed to the importance of information literacy to teaching and learning and leads library initiatives that enhance student learning.
• Lead and steward special projects within the library, including but not exclusive to OER.
• Steers research services, manages E-Resources for the library, and, in collaboration with the library staff, manages the Library website.
• Maintains and strengthens collaborative efforts with the community, consortia, and other resource sharing groups, notably, including but not exclusive to, the Iowa Private Academic Libraries (IPAL), Dubuque Area Library Information Consortium (DALINC), Iowa Catholic Colleges Association, and Iowa Academic Library Alliance (Alliance or IALA).
• Collaborates with appropriate personnel on modifications to the Miller Academic Resource Center; oversees the management of the building including scheduling and submitting repair requests; and serves as point of contact for space requests from academic support offices and other areas of the college in alignment with the library policy.
• Supports the mission and vision of the College and respects the College's Catholic tradition.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Reasonable Accommodations Statement

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable Accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS

Competency Statement(s)

• Accountability - Ability to accept responsibility and account for his/her actions.
• Adaptability - Ability to adapt to change in the workplace.
• Analytical Skills - Ability to use thinking and reasoning to solve a problem.
• Applied Learning - Ability to participate in needed learning activities in a way that makes the most of the learning experience.
• Coaching and Development - Ability to provide guidance and feedback to help others strengthen specific knowledge/skill areas.
• Communication, Oral - Ability to communicate effectively with others using the spoken word.
• Communication, Written - Ability to communicate in writing clearly and concisely.
• Conceptual Thinking - Ability to think in terms of abstract ideas.
• Customer Oriented - Ability to take care of the customers’ needs while following company procedures.
• Detail Oriented - Ability to pay attention to the minute details of a project or task.
• Energetic - Ability to work at a sustained pace and produce quality work.
• Ethical - Ability to demonstrate conduct conforming to a set of values and accepted standards.
• Goal Oriented - Ability to focus on a goal and obtain a pre-determined result.
• Initiative - Ability to make decisions or take actions to solve a problem or reach a goal.
• Interpersonal - Ability to get along well with a variety of personalities and individuals.
• Judgment - The ability to formulate a sound decision using the available information.
• Management Skills - Ability to organize and direct oneself and effectively supervise others.
• Organized - Possessing the trait of being organized or following a systematic method of performing a task.
• Relationship Building - Ability to effectively build relationships with customers and co-workers.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE. Master’s degree in Library and Information Science from an ALA-accredited program (or international equivalent).  A minimum of three to five years of experience in academic libraries. Record of managerial experience (i.e., personal supervision and facilities operations) and administrative success in academic libraries, and successful programs of coordination of library activities with faculty and students.

Additional qualifications include:

• Commitment to the College’s mission and support for the Catholic liberal arts tradition
• Ability to carry out responsibilities of the position in support of the College’s Catholic identity and mission and in support of Church teachings

COMPENSATION. Commensurate with qualifications, education and experience. Fringe benefits include medical/dental/life/disability insurance, flexible spending plan, TIAA retirement plan, tuition remission program, family membership in Graber Sports Center/San Jose Pool, free admission to many college events and free off-street parking.

THE COLLEGE. Founded in 1839, Loras College is a Catholic, primarily undergraduate, liberal arts institution that includes pre-professional and career preparation programs, as well as several graduate programs. The Loras College community embraces the core values of truth, respect, responsibility, excellence, and service that define the way we work, behave, and relate with others. These values align with our college mission: Loras, as a Catholic liberal arts college, creates a community of active learners, reflective thinkers, ethical decision-makers and responsible contributors in diverse professional, social and religious roles.  The student body consists of approximately 1,100 students.

THE COMMUNITY. Loras College’s 60-acre campus is located on one of Dubuque’s highest bluffs, overlooking the Mississippi River at the junction of the states of Iowa, Illinois and Wisconsin, about 3 hours west of Chicago. Dubuque’s population is approximately 60,000 and its nineteenth-century architecture is woven into limestone bluffs and provides a picturesque backdrop to the river landscape. Many residential and commercial areas have been designated as historical districts to preserve Dubuque’s unique heritage. Its strong education base supports numerous cultural activities, and in addition, there are sporting events, shopping facilities, schools, and churches that are convenient to its residents. The climate has marked seasons with a comfortable summer, cool spring and fall, and a winter that encourages a variety of sports that have in recent years attracted a growing tourism industry.

APPLICATION DEADLINE.   For best consideration, applications are due by October 19, 2026.  Applications must be complete to be considered.  For more information contact Director of Library Search Committee, Ms. Heidi Pettitt, [email protected].

APPLICATION PROCEDURE.  Applicants must go to: http://loras.applicantpool.com/jobs/ to apply.  Please upload a cover letter, which needs to address teaching and the mission of the College, curriculum vitae, and the names and contact information of three references.  References will not be contacted without prior approval from the candidate. The finalist will need to pass a background check before receiving a written employment offer.