Evergreen State College is hiring: Director of Library Services in Olympia

Position Title: Director of Library Services

Location: Olympia

Employment Type: Full‑time, exempt (at‑will, overtime‑exempt)

Salary: $7,587.00 – $9,103.00 per month (1.0 FTE)

Position Purpose: This role provides strategic leadership and administrative oversight for the operations, services, and resources of the Evergreen Library, ensuring the library supports the College’s mission of interdisciplinary teaching and learning, equity, and student success. Working collaboratively with faculty, staff, and academic leadership, the incumbent aligns library strategy with curricular and institutional priorities, fosters innovation in information access and learning support, and promotes inclusive, student‑centered services and spaces that reflect the values of Evergreen.

Nature and Scope

Reporting to the Vice Provost, the Director leads Library Services as an instructional unit of the Academic Division and ensures that services and operations support the library’s instructional mission. The position oversees the following areas: Research Services; Circulation and Interlibrary Loan; Technical Service and Acquisitions; and Archives. The Director exercises independent judgment and authority in policy, budget, personnel, and operational decisions affecting all aspects of Library Services and collaborates closely with the Vice Provost, academic deans, program faculty, and administrative partners across the College. The Director also represents the Library in the Orbis Cascade Alliance and other professional and consortial contexts, advancing Evergreen’s presence and partnerships in the regional and national library community.

Essential Functions

Strategic Leadership and Planning

• Lead strategic planning, supervision, and personnel management for Library Services to ensure effective, equitable, and innovative support for teaching and learning.
• Maintain awareness of professional standards and best practices in librarianship; lead service improvements and operational efficiencies consistent with institutional goals.
• Stay current with trends in information and instructional technology, pedagogy, and academic library services; forecast funding, technology, and accessibility needs for instructional support.
• Provide strategic direction for the planning, implementation, and integration of library systems and technologies, ensuring alignment with institutional IT initiatives and that staff receive appropriate training and professional development.

Operational Oversight and Resource Management

• Serve as budget authority for Library Services, overseeing fiscal planning, expenditures, and reporting; delegating purchasing and acquisitions decisions as appropriate.
• Provide general oversight of library collection development through the Resource Selection Committee.
• Ensure library facilities and physical spaces are maintained and updated to foster an inclusive, welcoming learning environment and to support long‑term stewardship of the collections.
• Ensure up‑to‑date library policies and procedures are developed, maintained, and accessible.
• Oversee emergency and safety planning for the library, coordinating with Environmental Health and Safety to maintain current response procedures.
• Oversee the development and delivery of library systems and technologies.
• Support librarians in providing instructional support to the curriculum.

Collaboration, Representation, and Special Projects

• Coordinate with curriculum deans, graduate directors, and CAT leaders to align library services with the academic mission and to support student learning across programs.
• Collaborate with leaders of other instructional and learning support services, including tutoring, media, computing, sciences, and arts to ensure coordinated, cross‑curricular instructional support.
• In coordination with librarians, guide the curation, documentation, and dissemination of distinctive academic work produced through the curriculum.
• Represent the Evergreen Library in the Orbis Cascade Alliance, professional associations, and other external or fundraising organizations.
• Serve, or delegate service, as the College Copyright Officer and ensure compliance with relevant laws and institutional policies.
• Participate in or lead specialized and complex projects, committees, and institutional initiatives as assigned.
• Negotiate contracts with vendors for library resources, databases, and software.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Proven ability to lead complex library organizations, including strategic planning, budgeting, human resources, policy development, and organizational change; skill in supervising, team‑building, and fostering collaboration across differences.
• Comprehensive knowledge of academic library practices, services, and trends; awareness of ALA standards and professional commitments related to privacy, fair use, ADA compliance, academic freedom, and equitable service.
• Demonstrated commitment to equity, inclusion, and belonging; skilled at facilitating inclusive decision‑making and collaborating effectively with diverse populations and perspectives.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively within and across complex institutions, such as within an academic library and across a college or university, or within a consortium.
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills; ability to build effective partnerships with faculty, students, and administrative units to align library services with academic goals.
• Strong understanding of Integrated Library Systems and emerging information technologies; proven ability to manage technology projects and apply IT solutions to enhance library services.
• Ability to apply analytic, quantitative, and creative approaches to complex issues; adept at data analysis, problem‑solving, and policy development.
• Knowledge of fiscal management and institutional budgeting processes; effective time management, long‑range planning, and attention to detail.
• Knowledge of copyright, fair use, and open access issues in academic libraries.
• Current understanding of trends and best practices in librarianship and higher education, including the role of libraries within liberal arts learning environments.
• Exceptional service orientation, accessibility, and professionalism; commitment to student success and continuous improvement in all aspects of library operations.
• Understanding of Evergreen’s unique curricular structures.

Minimum Qualifications

• Master’s degree in library and information science (MLS or MLIS, ALA accredited) or equivalent.
• Four years of recent experience managing one or more major functions in libraries.

Desired Qualifications

• Additional graduate degree or relevant academic background aligned with Evergreen’s interdisciplinary curriculum.
• Four years of experience in academic library leadership, including supervision, budgeting, and policy development.
• Background in post‑secondary teaching, information literacy instruction, and/or assessment.

Conditions of Employment

• Must provide proof of identity and employment eligibility within three days of beginning work.
• Prior to an official offer of employment, a Declaration Regarding Sexual Misconduct form must be submitted to the college per RCW 28B.112.080. The college will contact current and past employers to verify this information. Applicants who provide inaccurate information in their declaration will be disqualified and, if the inaccuracies are discovered after the applicant has been hired, it shall be grounds for termination.

Benefits

A full state benefits package, including paid sick and vacation leave; paid campus holidays; a generous medical, dental, life, and disability insurance package for employees and dependents; retirement; optional deferred compensation and optional supplemental retirement accounts. For more information, view https://www.evergreen.edu/payroll/benefits-package

EEO Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or status as a protected veteran. For more information regarding Evergreen’s non‑discrimination policies or to report discrimination, please visit the Affi­rective Action and Equal Opportunity webpage at www.evergreen.edu/equalopportunity or contact the Affi­rective Action and Equal Opportunity Officer at (360) 867‑5371, Room 3102 Library Building, 2700 Evergreen Parkway NW, Olympia, WA 98505.