University Librarian Jobs in Louisiana

Job Summary

The Director the University Library serves as the chief administrative officer of the Library and provides strategic leadership for all library operations, services, personnel, collections, technologies, and facilities. The Director advances the University’s mission by ensuring access to high quality information resources, fostering student success, supporting faculty teaching, and research, and promoting innovation in scholarly communication and knowledge creation. The Director will lead the transformation of the Library into a premier campus destination for digital scholarship, information literacy, artificial intelligence resources, emerging technologies, data services, and technology-enabled learning. Working collaboratively with academic and administrative units, the Director will position the Library as a central hub for discovery, innovation, research support, and lifelong learning.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Director reports to the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs and performs the following duties, in addition to other responsibilities assigned by the Vice President:

Strategic Leadership and Vision

• Provide leadership and strategic direction for all library operations, services, programs, and initiatives.
• Develop and implement a comprehensive strategic plan aligned with the University's mission, vision, and academic priorities.
• Foster a culture of innovation, continuous improvement, assessment, and service excellence.

Digital Transformation and Technology Leadership

• Lead the Library's evolution as the University's primary center for digital information resources, research technologies, and emerging learning tools.
• Develop and expand services supporting artificial intelligence literacy, digital scholarship, research data management, open educational resources, digital preservation, and scholarly communications.
• Collaborate with Information Technology, Academic Affairs, and academic colleges to identify and implement technologies that enhance teaching, learning, research, and student success.
• Champion innovative uses of technology that improve access to information, strengthen digital literacy, and prepare students for a rapidly evolving workforce.
• Oversee library technology infrastructure, digital collections, electronic resources, and technology-rich learning environments.
• Promote the Library as a campus-wide resource for navigating the ethical, effective, and informed use of digital and AI-enabled information systems.

Academic and Research Support

• Partner with faculty, academic departments, and university leadership to support instructional excellence, student learning outcomes, accreditation efforts, and faculty scholarship.
• Ensure the development and delivery of programs that strengthen information literacy, research skills, digital competencies, and academic success.
• Support undergraduate and graduate research initiatives through innovative library services and resources.
• Expand opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration and community engagement.

Administration and Operations

• Direct and oversee all library departments, services, collections, facilities, and operations.
• Establish policies, procedures, and assessment practices that ensure effective and efficient library services.
• Utilize data-informed decision making to evaluate programs, measure outcomes, and improve services.

Budget and Resource Management

• Develop, administer, and monitor the Library's operating and capital budgets.
• Allocate resources strategically to support institutional priorities and emerging needs.
• Pursue external funding opportunities, grants, partnerships, and philanthropic support for library initiatives.
• Ensure responsible stewardship of university resources and compliance with applicable regulations and policies.

Leadership & External Relations

• Recruit, supervise, develop, and evaluate library faculty and staff.
• Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performing work environment.
• Support professional development, innovation, and organizational effectiveness across all library units.
• Serve as the principal advocate and spokesperson for the Library.
• Promote awareness of library services, resources, and achievements both on and off campus.
• Represent the University in regional, state, and national library and higher education organizations.

Minimum Qualifications

• Minimum Master’s degree in Library Science or equivalent required. Terminal degree in Library Science preferred.
• Evidence of substantive library administrative experience.
• Demonstrated ability to lead the library in digital and technological information resources.
• Experience with academic libraries, information services, and scholarly communication.
• Record of successful grantsmanship or external funding activity is a preferred skill.
• Strong leadership, collaboration, communication, and organizational skills is required.
• Ability to effectively manage budgets, personnel, strategic planning, and other upper administrative responsibilities.