University Librarian and Dean of Libraries

The University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) invites expressions of interest and nominations for the next University Librarian and Dean of Libraries, for a vibrant library at a growing public university in the heart of one of America’s great cities. The University seeks an experienced and strategic leader who will create a vision and a plan to advance the mission of the University by building on the Library’s momentum to provide innovative services to diverse users and communities. The Dean reports to the Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, is the executive officer for the University Library and is a member of the University Deans Council.

UIC is Chicago’s only public Carnegie RU/VH research institution. UIC is nationally and internationally recognized for multidisciplinary academic programs as well as its engagement with civic, corporate and community partners worldwide. Located near downtown Chicago and within a two-mile radius of several of the city’s vibrant African American, Asian, and Latinx communities, UIC is one of the most diverse universities in the nation and has been designated a Minority Serving Institution, an Hispanic Serving Institution and an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution. UIC is the largest university in Chicago, enjoys the strongest enrollment growth in Illinois with a student body of 33,390 and almost 3,000 faculty, and is in the top 5% of the most ethnically diverse universities in the United States.

To provide for the teaching, learning, research, and practice needs of UIC, the University Library employs approximately 50 faculty and 85 staff. Librarians hold faculty status, are active researchers and are engaged in significant campus and professional service. The UIC Library faculty ranks 6th among U.S. academic library faculties in the number of articles published in peer-reviewed journals. The Library faculty is actively embedded in the curricula across disciplines through its liaison relationships with each college and departments across colleges.

The Library is proud of its focus on access, inclusion, and integration of collections and services as articulated in its strategic plan. Recent initiatives include: the deployment of a new repository for digital collections; the publishing of open education textbook resources for undergraduates; and the engagement in diversity, equity, and inclusion training to support an inclusive environment for faculty, students, and staff at UIC.

The Library holds 2.2 million print volumes and provides access to more than 60,000 journals online, over 625 databases, and 800,000 ebooks. Its 28,000 linear feet of special collections include significant resources on the history and culture of Chicago and are particularly strong in the areas of social justice and social welfare such as the records of the Hull-House settlement and the Chicago Urban League. The UIC University Library is a leader in collaborative efforts among libraries, archives, and museums in the region and is a member of the Association of Research Libraries. The UIC University Library has five physical locations: the Richard J. Daley Library, the Library of the Health Sciences-Chicago and its regional libraries in Peoria and Rockford. Core collections that support the regional programs of the Colleges of Medicine and Nursing and a Library liaison are located on-site in Urbana. The librarian of the UIC John Marshall Law School, Chicago’s only public law school and public law library, has an indirect reporting line to the Dean of Libraries. The library continually renovates spaces to better serve students and offer new services.

Candidates for University Librarian and Dean of Libraries at UIC should possess the following qualifications:

  • Significant and progressive library administrative experience, management skills and an understanding of the operations, disciplines and goals of a major public research university including the health sciences and law.
  • Proven capacity to lead faculty and staff effectively and initiate innovative projects in an academic or research library.
  • An understanding of major challenges facing academic research libraries today, particularly in a public university. Evidence of engagement in working toward meeting these challenges.
  • Steadfast commitment to diversity and to continuing programs to achieve inclusion among Library faculty and staff and to provide services that meet the needs of a diverse population of students and scholars.
  • Ability to be an advocate for the Library and Library faculty and staff.
  • A strong record of scholarship and publication.
  • A history of building, enhancing and sustaining partnerships across the university, region and nation.
  • A record of securing external funds through grants and private fundraising.
  • Evidence of advocacy for innovative methods of dissemination of scholarly communications, information, and data to support the educational and research goals of campus constituents
  • An MLIS or equivalent degree from an ALA-accredited program is strongly preferred as well as a second advanced degree.

For fullest consideration, please complete an electronic application, including a letter of interest, curriculum vitae, and the names and contact information for a minimum of three references by Monday, July 20th, addressed to the search committee chair, Dr. Astrida Orle Tantillo, Dean, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

Please direct nominations and questions or concerns regarding the search and/or application process to the search coordinator, Faizan Abid, fabid2@uic.edu. Confidentiality will be observed in the academic search process.

The University of Illinois at Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.  Women, minorities, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

The University of Illinois conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of contingent offer of employment. Background checks will be performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.