Dean of W. Frank Steely Library (internal only)

Northern Kentucky University is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access institution. We embrace inclusiveness, equity, and global awareness in all dimensions of our work and seek excellence through diversity among our students, administrators, faculty, and staff. Application by members of diverse groups is encouraged.

Northern Kentucky University ( NKU) invites applications and nominations for the position of Dean of W. Frank Steely Library. The position will be recruited internally within the university.

NKU seeks excellence through a mission that empowers graduates to have fulfilling careers and meaningful lives and a vision that empowers diverse learners for economic and social mobility. NKU is a dynamic, metropolitan, state-supported university with a solid record of academic excellence, located in a vibrant region with a flourishing economy. The University is located in Highland Heights, Kentucky, and is 7 miles (10 minutes) from downtown Cincinnati, Ohio, the hub of a metropolitan area of nearly 2M residents.

W. Frank Steely Library is a major educational resource for NKU and the surrounding community. Housed in a five-story facility, the Library is the central research hub of campus, with thousands of students, faculty, and staff using library resources, services, and/or spaces each day. The Library provides a wide range of library services to support the academic needs of students and faculty in each academic college. Library faculty and staff have enhanced traditional services to better address 21st century information needs and are collaborative partners across campus.

Additional campus and community outreach includes a digital repository, a Makerspace, and the Eva G. Farris Special Collections and the Schlachter University Archives. W. Frank Steely Library is also a member of the Federal Depository Library Program. Within the library organization, the Library Informatics minor engages future and current library professionals. An active Friends of Steely Library organization supports initiatives and endeavors through fund raising and advocacy efforts.

The University serves nearly 16,000 students and offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs through the Colleges of Arts and Sciences, Business, Informatics, Health and Human Services, and Education, and the JD in the Chase College of Law. The University's core values include a commitment to being learner-centered, publicly engaged, and easily accessible for students across the life span. For additional information, visit https://www.nku.edu/.

As the chief administrator of the W. Frank Steely Library, the Dean reports directly to the Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and serves on the Academic Affairs Council and Deans' Council.

The Dean provides vision, leadership and resources for an experienced and knowledgeable Library faculty (13) and staff (12). The Dean manages a budget of approximately $4.7 million; oversees and coordinates all library services, planning and fund raising, represents the University locally, regionally and nationally, and coordinates efforts to improve user access to materials through a variety of delivery options.

The Dean provides leadership for the Library's academic programs, including the Library Informatics minor. The Dean also collaborates with the Friends of Steely Library by serving as a board member to support fund raising and development.

Review of applications will begin January 30, 2025, and recruitment will continue until the position is filled. Applications (including a cover letter and C.V.) should be submitted at https://jobs.nku.edu/postings/14560 .

Confidential inquiries and questions concerning this search may be directed to Michael Providenti, providenti@nku.edu, or Judith Daar at daarj1@nku.edu.

NKU seeks excellence by enriching its educational environment and culture through its mission, vision, and core values. ( https://www.nku.edu/about/mission-and-values.html).