Head of Library Experience and Services

About the Role

The Penn State University Libraries seeks a collaborative and engaged Head of Library Experience and Services at Associate or Full Rank to advance a culture of service quality, collaboration, and student success. This position will lead a newly aligned portfolio, providing strategic leadership and operational responsibility for most public service points across University Park Libraries spaces, including Pattee & Paterno Libraries and multiple branch library locations.

Responsibilities

• Set strategic direction for the Library Experience and Services portfolio, establishing its vision, structure, and operational expectations, and leading change management efforts to unify distinct service cultures into a cohesive, values-aligned department.
• Supervise and develop employees, directly managing service point managers, supervisors, and coordinators while fostering accountability, collaboration, and professional growth.
• Oversee service operations, including scheduling, staffing models, cross-training, and coverage planning, to ensure consistent, flexible, and resilient service delivery across all University Park library service points and spaces.
• Drive evidence-based improvement by developing and applying assessment tools, user feedback, and service data to evaluate quality, identify opportunities, and demonstrate impact, championing a user-centered, inclusive approach throughout.
• Coordinate with campus and library stakeholders, serving as the primary contact for campus units operating within library spaces and collaborating on building operations, renovations, and service integration.
• Manage budget and resources, directing departmental budget, staffing, and resource planning.
• Ensure compliance and safety, collaborating on adherence to University policies for safety, security, accessibility, and emergency response in library spaces.
• Represent the Libraries in governance, serving on internal committees, task forces, and working groups, as well as representing the Libraries on external committees and consortia.

Qualifications

• A Master of Library Science degree from an ALA-accredited institution (or equivalent).
• Substantial relevant experience with academic library public services including reference services, service integration, space partnerships, accessibility, operational planning, and organizational change.
• Demonstrated supervisory and empathetic leadership and communication skills.
• Commitment to and experience with shared governance and faculty partnership.
• Demonstrated leadership style that promotes accountability, communication, and employee engagement, and demonstrated supervisory experience, including hiring, performance management, coaching, employee development, and facilitating teams to foster a collaborative and supportive work environment.
• Commitment to and demonstrated leadership experience fostering collaboration across diverse communities and supporting the success of individuals with varied backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences through practices that promote accessibility, fairness, engagement, and equal opportunity.
• Strong reputation for distinguished scholarship and professional accomplishments and a strong record of service in appropriate professional or disciplinary associations as evidence of ability to meet the requirements of a tenured position at the rank of Associate Librarian or Librarian at the University Libraries.

Preferred Qualifications

• Evidence of substantive leadership initiatives that promote equal access to library resources and services, enhance accessibility, deliver exceptional customer service, and foster a welcoming environment where all users and employees are treated fairly and can fully participate, contribute, and succeed based on their needs, qualifications, and engagement.
• Experience with fiscal/budget management.
• Experience with leading and assessing library programs.
• Experience with strategic planning and demonstrated ability to implement a strategic vision and lead collaborative efforts across library units and with external partners.

Benefits

Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees, including comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, robust retirement plans, and a generous 75% tuition discount for employees and eligible family members. For more details, visit our Benefits Page.