Assoc. Director/Head of Kenneth Spencer Research Library Public Servcs

Center for Public Partnerships & Research; Topeka (KS); On-site; USD 63,000 - 77,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Kansas Libraries seeks an Associate Director for Kenneth Spencer Research Library, leading public services, instruction, and outreach to share archival collections locally and globally.

The role directs three staff, coordinates an instruction program, and collaborates across KU Libraries to align services with collection stewardship and engagement priorities.

Qualifications

• ALA-accredited master’s degree in Library/Information Science or equivalent.
• Demonstrated supervisory experience equivalent to at least two (2) years.
• Graduate degree in archives or archival certification may be considered for an exception.

Responsibilities

• Develops and implements policies for reference and access balancing security and preservation with access.
• Directs staff and student assistants, ensuring coordination and accountability.
• Oversees public services functions including reference, instruction, outreach, exhibits, and communications.
• Coordinates instruction programs and collaborates with instructors to feature Spencer’s collections.
• Provides public contact point for KSRL operations and may liaise with media and donors.

Skills

Supervisory experience

Public-facing reference

Education

ALA-accredited MLS/MLIS

PhD LIS (optional)

Job description

Position Overview

This faculty position plays a lead role in bringing the outstanding collections of Kenneth Spencer Research Library (KSRL) to the world, and in bringing KU, Kansas, and the world to our library, virtually and in person. The Associate Director/Kenneth Spencer Research Library Head directs public services, instruction, and educational outreach, coordinating and collaborating with a group of dedicated colleagues. They share best practices in primary source literacy, building a culture of assessment for instruction. They maintain public facing communications, oversee KSRL's exhibit program, and work in partnership to promote the library on social media and through events and activities. Reporting to the Director, Kenneth Spencer Research Library / Executive Associate Dean for Distinctive Collections, this position supervises three staff members.

KU Libraries advance research, teaching, and learning at the intersection of people and ideas. KSRL serves a wide range of users from K-12 students to visiting international researchers, welcoming over 5400 people in person in 2025, including over 700 researchers and 2100 KU student visits. The Stokstad Reading Room is open to the public and does not require appointments, and undertakes significant remote reference and digitization year round.

KU's excellence is a result of the rich tapestry of experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds of our faculty, staff, students, and colleagues from across our nation and the globe. At KU, we invest in continuous learning and growth by creating a climate where people engage in respectful dialogue and debate and support each other’s success. We foster a culture of care where each person is seen, heard and valued. When people feel a true sense of belonging, we believe they are better able to reach their full potential and achieve remarkable things.

This position is subject to a collective bargaining unit between The University of Kansas and United Academics, that UAKU is the exclusive representative for the bargaining unit, and that it is their right to be a member or not be a member of a union without fear of personal or professional repercussions.

The successful candidate must be eligible to work in the U.S. by the effective date of the appointment.

This is a full-time, 12-month, tenure-track faculty position. Rank considerations are based on professional performance, research, and service experience sufficient to qualify for appointment at the rank of Assistant Librarian or Associate Librarian.

Job Description

Professional Performance: 45%

• Develops and implement policies and procedures for reference and access that balance security and preservation with a strong desire to remove barriers
• Manages a suite of tools to assist students and researchers in using our collections, including the library’s website, tutorials, and guides
• Serves on appropriate teams, task forces, and groups within the KU Libraries and KU.
• Participates in a variety of outreach events, special visits, and other relevant occasions, including occasional night and weekend commitments
• Works collaboratively as a member of project teams and other groups to advance the libraries’ strategic priorities
• Serves as public contact point for overall KSRL operations, and may work with media and donors to promote our collections, services, and programming

Public Services Leadership/Administrative Duties 25%

• Provides administrative oversight for reference, access, instruction, outreach, exhibits, public-facing communications, and related public services functions at Kenneth Spencer Research Library.
• Directs three staff members and a sizeable cohort of student assistants, supporting effective coordination, accountability, communication, and professional development.
• Develops, implements, and maintains policies, procedures, documentation, and service standards for reference, access, reading room services, instruction, outreach, and related public-facing activities.
• Coordinates instruction program, inviting KU instructors to share Spencer’s collections with their classes, and shares teaching responsibilities with colleagues across the library
• Establishes goals, priorities, timelines, and operational plans for public services, instruction, outreach, exhibits, and related engagement activities.
• Uses assessment, user feedback, service data, and other evidence to evaluate public services operations and recommend improvements.
• Coordinates with the Director, Kenneth Spencer Research Library / Executive Associate Dean for Distinctive Collections, on priorities, planning, reporting, resource needs, and operational concerns.
• Collaborates with colleagues across Spencer Research Library and KU Libraries to align public services operations with collection stewardship, teaching, research, access, and engagement priorities.
• Contributes to planning for technology, access, and operational needs related to public services and user engagement.

RESEARCH 20%

• Contributes to the profession’s collective knowledge through scholarly and creative activity. Research may include the publication of articles, books, book reviews, grant-supported inquiry, editorial work, and related forms of dissemination consistent with KU expectations for librarians.

SERVICE 10%

• Engages in service to KU Libraries, the University, and professional organizations through committee work, projects, and other meaningful contributions. This allocation is consistent with KU Libraries’ expectation that librarians maintain a record of service beyond their assigned professional responsibilities.

Required Qualifications

• ALA-accredited master’s degree in Library/Information Science or equivalent from a foreign institution by date of appointment OR a PhD in library and information science from an LIS program that also offered an ALA-accredited master’s degree at the time the PhD was awarded.
• Demonstrated supervisory experience equivalent to at least two (2) years, including responsibility for leading, mentoring, and evaluating staff performance.
• In the closely related, specialized field of archives, a graduate degree (may be master’s or Ph.D. depending on position requirements) in an appropriate field OR archival certification by the Academy of Certified Archivists may be considered for a recognized exception.

Appointment at the Associate Librarian rank

This position requires a formal degree in the cited discipline area(s) to ensure that candidates have the foundational knowledge and skill set required to perform the duties of the position. The level of degree is based on accreditation requirements, institutional standards of academic and professional excellence, alignment with peer institution benchmarks, and contributes to the credibility and effectiveness of the role within the university community

Preferred Qualifications

Minimum of two years of experience delivering public-facing reference, research, or access services in an archival, special collections, historical society, or comparable environment.

Additional Candidate Instructions

Applicants should attach a cover letter, resume/CV, and contact information for three professional references (including at least one previous or current supervisor) to this online application. Please use your cover letter to address how you meet the required and preferred qualifications. An online application must be completed to be considered for this position.

Application deadline is October 14th, 2026 - to ensure consideration please apply before this date.

Contact Information to Applicants

Mike Broadwell

[e-mail]

Advertised Salary Range

Minimum $70,000 for Assistant Librarian rank, commensurate with experience. An additional administrative supplement will be provided for supervisory and administrative responsibilities.

Application Review Begins

Thursday October 15, 2026

Anticipated Start Date

Wednesday January 6, 2027