Head of Library Experience and Services

Pennsylvania State University; State College (Centre County); On-site; USD 110,000 - 165,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

75% tuition discount

Job summary

The Penn State University Libraries seeks a collaborative Head of Library Experience and Services at Associate or Full Rank to advance a culture of service quality, collaboration, and student success at Penn State University Libraries.

This position leads public service points across University Park Libraries spaces, including Pattee & Paterno Libraries and multiple branch locations, unifying service functions under a single leadership team.

Qualifications

• MLS from an ALA-accredited program.
• Extensive experience in academic library public services and reference.
• Proven supervisory and empathetic leadership and communication.
• Commitment to shared governance and faculty partnership.
• Ability to foster collaboration across diverse communities.
• Strong reputation and service record in librarianship.

Responsibilities

• Set strategic direction for the Library Experience and Services portfolio.
• Supervise service point managers, supervisors and staff.
• Oversee scheduling, staffing models, cross-training and coverage.
• Apply assessment tools and user feedback to drive improvements.
• Coordinate with campus units and manage building operations.
• Manage departmental budget and resources.
• Ensure safety and compliance with university policies.
• Represent libraries on governance and external committees.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Collaboration

Change management

User-centered design

Equity & inclusion

Education

MLS degree (ALA-accredited)

Job description

Head of Library Experience and Services

The Penn State University Libraries seeks a collaborative and engaged Head of Library Experience and Services at Associate or Full Rank to advance a culture of service quality, collaboration, and student success at Penn State University Libraries.

This position will lead a newly aligned portfolio and provide strategic leadership and operational responsibility for most of the public service points across University Park Libraries spaces, including service points at Pattee & Paterno Libraries and multiple branch library locations. This newly established portfolio consolidates previously distributed service functions under unified leadership to ensure consistent, high-quality, values‑driven service experiences for students, faculty, staff, and community guests across all Libraries facilities.

The Head of Library Experience and Services serves as an academic administrator responsible for setting departmental vision and standards and manages and mentors service point supervisors and employees. Additionally, the Head of Library Experience and Services closely collaborates with University Libraries colleagues, stakeholders, and partners to cooperatively develop and advance the Libraries' strategic priorities and values, including equitable access, inclusion, user-centered design, and continuous improvement, through the daily experience students and other patrons have at our service points.

The Head of Library Experience and Services will collaborate closely with library partners and units that manage complementary programs and services within Libraries spaces on the University Park campus, managing these relationships and connecting our partners' programmatic goals with the Libraries' programmatic goals.

This position reports to the Associate Dean for Learning and Engagement and is a member of the Learning and Engagement Leadership Team and the University Libraries' Leadership Council. This position is located at the University Park campus in State College, PA and the University expects regular onsite presence to fully participate in their university workspace or on-campus intellectual and educational community.

Responsibilities:

• Set strategic direction for the Library Experience and Services portfolio, establishing its vision, structure, and operational expectations, and leading change management efforts to unify distinct service cultures into a cohesive, values-aligned department;
• Supervise and develop employees, directly managing service point managers, supervisors, and coordinators while fostering accountability, collaboration, and professional growth;
• Oversee service operations, including scheduling, staffing models, cross-training, and coverage planning, to ensure consistent, flexible, and resilient service delivery, including foundational reference services, across all University Park library service points and spaces;
• Drive evidence-based improvement by developing and applying assessment tools, user feedback, and service data to evaluate quality, identify opportunities, and demonstrate impact, championing a user-centered, inclusive approach throughout;
• Coordinate with campus and library stakeholders, serving as the primary contact for campus units operating within library spaces and collaborating on building operations, renovations, and service integration;
• Manage budget and resources, directing departmental budget, staffing, and resource planning;
• Ensure compliance and safety, collaborating on adherence to University policies for safety, security, accessibility, and emergency response in library spaces;
• Represent the Libraries in governance, serving on internal committees, task forces, and working groups, as well as representing the Libraries on external committees and consortia.

Qualifications

• A Master of Library Science degree from an ALA-accredited institution (or equivalent);
• Substantial relevant experience with academic library public services including reference services, service integration, space partnerships, accessibility, operational planning, and organizational change;
• Demonstrated supervisory and empathetic leadership and communication skills;
• Commitment to and experience with shared governance and faculty partnership;
• Demonstrated leadership style that promotes accountability, communication and employee engagement and demonstrated supervisory experience, including hiring, performance management, coaching, employee development and facilitating teams to foster a collaborative and supportive work environment;
• Commitment to and demonstrated leadership experience fostering collaboration across diverse communities and supporting the success of individuals with varied backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences through practices that promote accessibility, fairness, engagement, and equal opportunity;
• Strong reputation for distinguished scholarship and professional accomplishments and strong record of service in appropriate professional or disciplinary associations as evidence of ability to meet the requirements of a tenured position at the rank of Associate Librarian or Librarian at the University Libraries, https://libraries.psu.edu/policies/ul-acg07;

Preferred

• Evidence of substantive leadership initiatives that promote equal access to library resources and services, enhance accessibility, deliver exceptional customer service, and foster a welcoming environment where all users and employees are treated fairly and can fully participate, contribute, and succeed based on their needs, qualifications, and engagement;
• Experience with fiscal/budget management;
• Experience with leading and assessing library programs;
• Experience with strategic planning and demonstrated ability to implement a strategic vision and lead collaborative efforts across library units and with external partners.

Academic Rank

Candidates for the rank of Associate Librarian should demonstrate excellence in librarianship, show evidence of an established reputation in research, and have a strong record of service to the University and the profession. Candidates for the rank of Librarian should demonstrate sustained excellence in librarianship, give evidence of creativity in his/her field of specialization (including a continuing capacity for significant contributions in research and creative accomplishments), and show evidence of leadership in the profession. More information can be found in the Guideline for Promotion and Tenure Criteria https://libraries.psu.edu/policies/ul-acg07.

Background Checks / Clearances

This position requires the following clearances in addition to applicable background checks: PA State Police Criminal Background Check, PA Child Abuse History Clearance Form, and Federal (FBI) Fingerprint Criminal Background Check. Due to the financial and fiduciary responsibilities of this position, successful completion of a credit history check will be required in addition to standard background checks. This position requires that you operate a motor vehicle as a part of your job duties. A valid driver's license and successful completion of a motor vehicle records check will be required in addition to standard background checks.

Benefits

Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional wellbeing. In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans.

• 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children.

Campus Security Crime Statistics

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.

EEO Is the Law

Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473. Penn State is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging. We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belonging that supports equity initiatives, leverages the educational and institutional benefits of inclusion in society, and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of the community thrive. We value belonging as a core strength and an essential element of the university's teaching, research, and service mission.