California State University, Chico (Chico State) seeks an innovative, thoughtful and collaborative leader with strong communication skills and a commitment to equity and student success to serve as the next Dean of the Meriam Library (MLIB).
Chico State is a comprehensive public university located 90 miles north of Sacramento and 175 miles northeast of San Francisco. The University operates as part of the 23-campus California State University (CSU) system and enrolls approximately 14,000 (as of fall 2023) students. Founded in 1887, Chico State is the second-oldest university in the CSU system and is the anchor institution for the North State, serving a sprawling 12-county service area. Chico State comprises seven colleges and five schools, including the College of Agriculture; College of Behavioral and Social Sciences; College of Business; College of Communication and Education; College of Engineering, Computer Science, and Construction Management; College of Humanities and Fine Arts; and College of Natural Sciences. The campus community is proud to be a Hispanic-Serving Institution. The University emphasizes and fosters equity and inclusiveness, sustainability, service to the community, and civic engagement that transforms student learning and enhances the local and extended environment.
A dedicated, talented, and diverse staff of 9 library faculty and 17 staff help to meet the needs of Chico State’s approximate 14,000 students, 516 full-time faculty, and 407 part-time faculty as well as the communities of Chico and the North State. Meriam Library was named in honor of Ted Meriam and the Meriam Family and is the largest library in California north of Sacramento. The Meriam Library provides 24-hour online access to library resources for students and faculty. The Library collection contains 627,585 physical volumes and provides access to approximately 838,632 e-book titles and 162,281 electronic journals. The Library has an annual budget of over $3.9 million.
The Library is a focal point of activity supporting the teaching, learning, and research activities of the University. The Dean is the chief administrative and academic officer of the Library, a unit within the division of Academic Affairs, is a member of the Provost’s Academic Council, and reports directly to the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. The Dean provides strategic, financial, and managerial leadership in executing the functions of the position and works collaboratively and collegially with faculty, staff, academic leadership, students, and external stakeholders to advance the mission, values, and strategic priorities of the Library and the University’s Strategic Plan.
The Dean is the face and voice of the Meriam Library and represents the University locally, regionally, throughout the California State University (CSU) system, state-wide, and nationally. The Dean should have the experience and interpersonal skills to navigate the academic setting, facilitate and build effective partnerships, and understand national trends in higher education and the academic library profession.
A Master of Library Science (MLS/MILS) degree from an American Library Association accredited program is required, as well as a record of academic achievement that merits tenure with appointment at the rank of Full Librarian.
All applications, nominations and inquiries are invited. Applications should include, as two separate documents, a CV or resume and a letter of interest addressing how your experience and skills align with the role, qualifications, and qualities articulated in the https://wittkieffer.com/positions/25513-dean-of-the-meriam-library.
WittKieffer is assisting Chico State in this search. For fullest consideration, candidate materials should be received by Friday, March 22, 2024.
Application materials should be submitted using WittKieffer’s https://apptrkr.com/5035146.
Nominations and inquiries can be directed to:
Jessica Herrington and Corin Edwards
ChicoStateLibraryDean@wittkieffer.com
The anticipated salary range for this position is $160K to $190K.
Chico State employs only individuals lawfully authorized to work in the United States. The University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against persons on the basis of race, religion, color, ancestry, age, caste, disability, genetic information, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, medical condition, nationality sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other protected status.
Additional information about the Chico State is available at: https://www.csuchico.edu/.
Information on the Meriam Library is available at: https://library.csuchico.edu/.
An annual security report disclosing crime statistics for Chico State can be obtained by contacting the University Police Department (530) 898-5555 or by accessing the following web site: https://www.csuchico.edu/up.