Job Details

University Librarian
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Position Number: 5905963
Location: Santa Barbara, CA
Position Type: Libraries

University Librarian

University of California Santa Barbara

Position overview
Position title: University Librarian - title code 118 Salary range: The anticipated annual compensation range for this position is $275,000 - $350,000. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions, including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, and other business and organizational needs. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience. Percent time: 100% Anticipated start: 2025-26 Application Window

Open date: January 3, 2025

Most recent review date: Friday, Jan 3, 2025 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications received after this date will be reviewed by the search committee if the position has not yet been filled.

Final date: Monday, Jun 30, 2025 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.

Position description

Applications accepted only through WittKeifer. See below for more information.

The University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) seeks a visionary, engaged, and strategic leader to serve as the next University Librarian (UL). Nominations, inquiries, and applications are invited.

The University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) is a leading research institution, one of only 71 research-intensive institutions in the U.S. and Canada elected to membership in the prestigious Association of American Universities. It also provides a comprehensive liberal arts learning experience. Diversity serves as a foundation for UCSB's teaching and research, which go hand-in-hand. UCSB holds the designation as a Minority-Serving Institution (MSI), Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) and Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution (ANAPISI). Nearly one-third (31%) of the student body identifies as first-generation college students. UCSB students are full participants in an educational journey of discovery that stimulates independent thought, critical reasoning, and creativity. Their academic community of faculty, students, and staff is characterized by a culture of interdisciplinary collaboration that is responsive to the needs of a multicultural and global society. All of this takes place within a living and learning environment like no other, as we draw inspiration from the beauty and resources of its extraordinary location at the edge of the Pacific Ocean.

The University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) Library is the geographic and academic heart of the campus and an intellectual hub for the University, serving over 25,000 students, 1,200 academic faculty, 3,000 academic staff, and 8,000 non-academic staff. The Library welcomes over 2.2 million visitors annually, and its website receives over 1.3 million sessions each year. With annual expenditures of approximately $23 million, the Library is supported by approximately 130 librarians and staff, along with 140 student employees. The Library is dedicated to supporting the University's research, teaching, and public service mission by providing access to an extensive range of collections, services, and learning spaces. UC Santa Barbara Library is a member of the prestigious Association of Research Libraries (ARL). The Library's vision is to empower researchers and students to create and adapt knowledge for the benefit of society.

As the chief executive officer of the UCSB Library, the UL provides strategic vision for and operational leadership of the Library, which support UCSB's research and instructional missions by providing access to and delivery of information resources; developing, organizing, and preserving collections for optimal use; supporting the discovery of and access to remote information sources; encouraging innovation; and promoting excellence. Reporting to the executive vice chancellor and provost, the UL is a member of the Academic Senate and serves on the deans' and professional school deans' councils, collaborating with campus leadership at UCSB and across the University of California system. The UL also serves on the University of California Council of University Librarians.

The UC Santa Barbara Library, like many major academic research libraries, is navigating a period of rapid transformation in the information management landscape. As artificial intelligence, open access, and open science initiatives continue to gain momentum, library leaders must adapt to emerging technological trends and integrate them into the library's collections, services, and operations. The next Librarian will have the opportunity to further support and advance the UCSB library's strategic plan as well as advance philanthropic support for the library. The Librarian will also foster campus collaborations, lead an ambitious agenda to enhance student success, and further integrate equity, diversity, and inclusion practices into the core culture of the Library.

This position represents an outstanding opportunity for an experienced library leader with a history of decisive and innovative leadership, including managing human, financial, and physical resources. A Master of Library Science (MLS) degree from an ALA-accredited library school, or equivalent degree is required as is a proven leadership and management experience in an academic research library, preferably within an R1 university.

WittKieffer is assisting UC Santa Barbara in this search. All applications, nominations, and inquiries are invited. Applications should include, as separate documents, a CV or resume and a letter of interest addressing the themes in the leadership profile found at www.wittkieffer.com. For fullest consideration, candidate materials should be received by December 6, 2024. Nominations, inquiries, and application materials can be directed to: Suzanne Teer, Jessica Herrington, and Cathryn Davis at UCSBUniversityLibrarian@wittkieffer.com.

Qualifications

Basic qualifications (required at time of application)

A Master of Library Science (MLS) degree from an ALA-accredited library school, or equivalent degree is required.
Additional qualifications (required at time of start)

Proven leadership and management experience in an academic research library.

Preferred qualifications

R1 university professional background and management experience preferred.

Application Requirements

Document requirements

Curriculum Vitae or Resume - Your most recently updated C.V.
Letter of Interest

Reference requirements

References to be managed by WittKeifer
Apply link: https://recruit.ap.ucsb.edu/JPF02909

Help contact: dorothy.satomi@ucsb.edu
About UC Santa Barbara

As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct, are currently being investigated for misconduct, left a position during an investigation for alleged misconduct, or have filed an appeal with a previous employer.

"Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment or discrimination, dishonesty or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer.
UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
UC Anti-Discrimination Policy for Employees, students and third parties
APM - 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment

Job location
Santa Barbara, CA

To apply, please visit: https://recruit.ap.ucsb.edu/JPF02909