Associate Library Director, Access, Instruction, & Research Services

Overview

The DeWitt Wallace Library at Macalester College seeks a collaborative, thoughtful, and forward-looking leader to join our leadership team as Associate Library Director for Access, Instruction, & Research Services.

This position is ideal for someone who is inspired by our mission to “strive to create an equitable ecosystem of knowledge, ideas, experiences, and expertise that immerses our community in opportunities for inquiry, discovery, delight, and innovation,” and eager to help bring it to life. The Associate Library Director leads a team of colleagues who support information navigation and fulfillment, research, teaching, learning, and digital scholarship while helping shape how the library evolves to meet the changing needs of students, faculty, and the broader campus community.

The position oversees Access Services, Research & Instruction Services, and Digital Liberal Arts, and works with a dedicated team to support our community’s information needs and continuous learning. From strengthening information literacy programs and supporting digital scholarship to improving library services and spaces, the Associate Library Director helps further the library as an essential partner in the college's academic life.

As a member of the library's leadership team, this individual contributes to strategic planning and organizational decision-making while building strong relationships across campus. The role works closely with faculty, students, staff, and campus partners to develop services that are responsive, welcoming, and aligned with the college's mission.

The ideal candidate enjoys both thinking strategically and solving practical problems. The work ranges from mentoring staff and improving workflows to navigating the impact of emerging technologies, responding to changes in the information landscape, and identifying opportunities to strengthen library services. Success in this role requires sound judgment, thoughtfulness, and a commitment to helping others do their best work. Candidates who are energized by developing and supporting staff, building partnerships, improving services, and helping an academic library adapt to a changing world are encouraged to apply.

About the Department:

Macalester's DeWitt Wallace Library staff create a learning environment that supports inquiry, discovery, creativity, and innovation. Committed to inclusive access, lifelong learning, user-centered services and collections, and meaningful campus partnerships, we foster curiosity, information literacy, and research skills in a welcoming environment. We value diverse ways of knowing, clear and honest communication, equity, collaboration, professional growth, staff wellbeing, and the shared goal of supporting a liberal arts education.

Responsibilities & Qualifications

• Provide strategic leadership for Access Services, Research & Instruction Services, and Digital Liberal Arts. 

• Lead and support a team of 11 staff (8 direct reports) and approximately 40 student employees (supervised by 3 Access Services staff). 

• Foster collaboration, professional growth, and a positive workplace culture. 

• Partner with faculty and staff colleagues to strengthen information literacy, research support, and digital scholarship. 

• Guide the continued development of library services, spaces, and technologies that support teaching, learning, and research. 

• Use assessment, user feedback, and data to improve services and demonstrate the library's impact. 

• Help shape the library's strategic direction as a member of the leadership team. 

• Stay engaged with developments in higher education, librarianship, technology, and the evolving information landscape.  

Required Qualifications, Skills, and Experience

• 3+ years of relevant experience, with demonstrated growth in responsibility and leadership and clear potential to lead, manage, and supervise staff.

• Master’s Degree in Library and Information Science from a program accredited by the American Library Association (ALA) or from a program in a country with a formal accreditation process as identified by ALA.

• Demonstrated leadership experience in an academic library or a related educational, cultural, or research organization.

• Demonstrated ability to think strategically, lead organizational change and service improvement initiatives, and effectively manage day-to-day operations and competing priorities.

• Experience with information literacy instruction, curriculum partnerships, or teaching in higher education.

• Demonstrated ability to build collaborative relationships with students, faculty, staff, and organizational partners.

• Experience using assessment, data, and user feedback to improve programs, services, or operations.

• Knowledge of current issues and trends in higher education, academic libraries, scholarly communication, digital scholarship, and the evolving information landscape.

• Demonstrated commitment to creating welcoming, inclusive, and accessible services and workplaces.

• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills.

Preferred Qualifications, Skills, and Experience

• 5+ years of relevant experience, with demonstrated growth in responsibility and leadership.

• Demonstrated record of managing individuals and teams, providing programmatic and personnel oversight, and supervising, mentoring, and developing employees while fostering an inclusive, collaborative, and high-performing work environment.

• Experience working in an academic library in areas such as access services, research and instruction, digital scholarship, or public services.

• Experience contributing to library-wide strategic planning or assessment initiatives.

• Record of professional service, scholarship, presentations, or other contributions to the profession.

Compensation:

$86,551.00-$90,485.00 Annually

Benefits

At Macalester, we are proud to offer excellent comprehensive employee benefits. Here are some highlights:

• 10% employer contributions to the retirement plan
• Outstanding vacation and sick time packages, plus an additional 10 holidays
• Competitive health, dental, vision, and life & disability insurance
• Generous employer contribution to Health Savings Account
• Tuition assistance which pays between 75% - 90% of eligible tuition for employee dependents at select institutions
• Free primary care for most services through Nice Healthcare when enrolled in a Macalester health plan
• Access to the athletics fitness facility, wellness coaching, and activities

These are just some of the great benefits Macalester has to offer! To see our full benefits packages and options, please visit our Benefits Page

 

Satisfactory completion of a criminal background check is a condition of employment.

Application Guidelines

For best consideration, please submit your cover letter and resume through the Macalester Employment Opportunities webpage by October 5th, 2026. This position will be posted until filled. 

 

Jaclyn Howard

Talent Acquisition Manager

jhoward3@Macalester.edu

Macalester College does not discriminate on the grounds of sex, gender identity, race, color, national origin, age, religion, creed, disability, marital status, familial status, pregnancy, genetic information, membership or activity in a local human rights commission, veteran status, sexual orientation, status with regard to public assistance, or other categories protected by law. For additional information, see Macalester College's full Notice of Nondiscrimination.