Cornell University Library invites applications for our academic position as Director, Albert R. Mann Library and Sciences Cluster.
Reporting to the Associate University Librarian, the Director provides vision, leadership and administration for Mann Library, which serves the agriculture, biological/life sciences and applied social sciences/human ecology communities at Cornell. The Mann Library director also oversees 3 other Cornell libraries: the Lab of Ornithology’s Adelson Library, the Veterinary Library, and the Math Library, along with providing leadership for services to the Astronomy/Physics/Chemistry programs. Manages a staff of 40+ including direct supervision of the Library cluster’s 7-member management team, the Administrative Council.
The Director works with the Administrative Council and library staff to set priorities, policies and direction for collections, facilities and services and engages in assessment to enhance service quality. Works closely with the administration of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and the College of Human Ecology to align library services and collections to the programs of the two Colleges, including the Division of Biological Sciences and the Division of Nutrition, along with related programs from across the University. Works in coordination with state, national and international networks and organizations such as Cornell Cooperative Extension, USDA, USAIN (United States Agricultural Information Network), AgNIC (Agriculture Network Information Collaborative), and SUNY. Advances the Library’s global engagement mission and seeks grants to carry out international outreach programs, both independently and in collaboration with College of Agriculture and Life Sciences international programs.
The Director establishes and fosters a cross-unit and team-based approach to the provision of service and collaborative work between the libraries; fosters effective working relationships with other unit library directors, and library and academic colleagues, and with academic support units. As a member of the Library Directors’ Leadership Team, plays a key a role in library-wide planning initiatives and works closely on user services and policies for the Cornell community. The Mann director may serve as the director-sponsor to one of the Public Services teams and will have the opportunity to lead an area of practice in which they have expertise.
The Director stays abreast of trends in library and information science and embraces new technologies that support these efforts.
Diversity and Inclusion: Mann Library at Cornell embraces diversity and seeks candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty and staff of all identities and backgrounds. We strongly encourage individuals from underrepresented identities to apply.
Cornell University Library is a member of the ACRL Diversity Alliance, which unites academic libraries who are committed to increasing the hiring pipeline of qualified and talented individuals from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups.
Required Qualifications:
• Master’s Degree in Library and Information Science from an ALA-accredited program, Information Science, or related field or international equivalent.
• 6 years or more of professional librarian experience combined with demonstrated evidence of leadership and administration in an academic or research library setting.
• Demonstrated expertise in planning and budget management.
• Demonstrated expertise in supervising, developing, and coaching staff; record of support for staff development.
• Demonstrated ability to cultivate an environment of diversity and inclusion.
• Demonstrated ability to foster effective working relationships with University faculty, staff and administrators.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills: ability to listen actively, speak and write clearly, and effectively present information and ideas to groups.
Preferred Qualifications:
• Academic background or library experience with a social sciences and/or sciences focus.
• Record of success with fostering friends of the library, fund raising and grant writing.
• Record of scholarship, professional involvement, and service.
• Special collections experience.
• Experience working in a global context. Strong interest in fostering Mann Library’s longstanding commitment to partnering with libraries in the global south.
Benefits: Our comprehensive benefits package includes 22 vacation days, 13 paid holidays, health insurance, life insurance, university retirement contributions, childcare and adoption assistance, and child tuition reimbursement. Funding is available to support professional training and research. More information regarding Cornell’s generous benefits can be found at https://hr.cornell.edu/jobs/
Relocation assistance may be provided.
Visa sponsorship may be available for this position.
The safety and well-being of applicants and our team members is of the utmost importance. Because of campus closures and the likelihood of ongoing travel restrictions due to the COVID-19 outbreak, we anticipate conducting virtual interviews with qualified candidates.
Limited Timeframe Remote: This position is located in Ithaca, New York. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the University’s need to limit the number of on-campus employees, the successful applicant will be asked to perform this role remotely at a location of their choice in the United States for a limited period of time until the University can permit more employees to work on campus.
The New York Convenience of employer guidelines require New York State individual tax reporting and withholdings for this position. Additional individual state income tax filings may also be required if working temporarily outside New York State.
How to Apply: Candidates must apply online via the Cornell Careers site: https://cornell.wd1.
We ask that you include the following information in your application:
1. A cover letter;
2. A Curriculum Vitae;
3. A Statement of “Contribution to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion,” which may be a separate statement, or incorporated into the cover letter. Candidates are invited to describe past, present, and/or future aspirations for promoting equity, inclusion, and diversity in their careers as researchers and educators, and/or to convey how they see these commitments continuing at Cornell. Such articulation may focus on teaching, research, or service, or all three factors.
4. The names, phone numbers, and addresses for three references.
Incoming applications will be reviewed until a viable pool of applicants is identified; submission prior to April 23, 2021 is strongly encouraged. Although we prefer to receive your application as one, multi-page pdf document, we will accept multiple documents in other formats.
Environment: Cornell University is an innovative Ivy League university and a great place to work. Our inclusive community of scholars, students and staff impart an uncommon sense of larger purpose and contribute creative ideas to further the university’s mission of teaching, discovery and engagement. One of the leading academic research libraries in the United States, Cornell University Library is a highly valued partner in teaching, research, and learning at the university. With an operating budget of over $58 million and a diverse and innovative staff of close to 400, the Library provides significant collaborative opportunities in support of 2,700 faculty, 22,000 students and 94 PhD fields. Its world-class collections, expert librarians, and responsive services in physical and virtual library spaces inspire and nourish scholarship and learning.
Albert R. Mann Library: Albert R. Mann Library has a longstanding reputation for developing state of the art, user-focused services and spaces, and is noted for having one of the finest collections in agriculture and life sciences in the country. The library fosters a culture of innovation and collaboration that relies on a highly committed and talented staff who are responsive to the evolving needs of our users. Recent examples of innovative projects include the creation of the mannUfactory Makerspace, the My Kind of Mann podcast, and a Welcome to Mann Library video. Serving the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and the College of Human Ecology at Cornell, Mann Library has embraced Cornell’s land grant mission, actively pursuing opportunities to serve the global community through special projects and programs, including the USDA Economics, Statistics and Market Information System, the Cornell University Geospatial Information Repository, and the Biodiversity Heritage Library. Through the Library’s strong information literacy program, Mann staff are frequently asked to teach on topics ranging from source evaluation to video production, and they teach internationally in support of global initiatives. Mann Library serves as a vibrant campus hub for students, faculty, and staff to meet, learn and exchange ideas. Our tagline says it all, “Mann Library, where minds and friends meet.”
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Online Submission Guidelines: Most positions at Cornell will require you to apply online and submit both a resume/CV and cover letter. You can upload documents either by “dragging and dropping” them into the dropbox or by using the “upload” icon on the application page. For more detailed instructions on how to apply to a job at Cornell, visit How We Hire (https://hr.cornell.edu/jobs/
Employment Assistance: If you require an accommodation for a disability in order to complete an employment application or to participate in the recruiting process, you are encouraged to contact Cornell University’s Department of Inclusion and Workforce Diversity at voice (607) 255-3976, fax (607) 255-7481, or email at owdi@cornell.edu.
For general questions about the position or the application process, please contact the Recruiter listed in the job posting.
Applicants that do not have internet access are encouraged to visit your local library, or local Department of Labor. You may also visit the office of Workforce Recruitment and Retention Monday – Friday between the hours of 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. to use a dedicated workstation to complete an online application.
Notice to Applicants: Please read the required Notice to Applicants statement by clicking here: https://hr.cornell.edu/
EEO Statement: Diversity and Inclusion are a part of Cornell University’s heritage. We are a recognized employer and educator valuing AA/EEO, Protected Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations. Cornell University is an innovative Ivy League university and a great place to work. Our inclusive community of scholars, students, and staff impart an uncommon sense of larger purpose, and contribute creative ideas to further the university’s mission of teaching, discovery, and engagement.