REPORTS TO: Library Director
JOB STATUS: Exempt
POSITION SUMMARY: The Assistant Director of Library Engagement & Student Success serves as the Library Director’s primary administrative partner and a public-facing leader dedicated to fostering a vibrant, user-centered academic community. This role requires an initiative-taking professional who proactively develops people-focused programs to enhance student research confidence and connection to library services. As a highly relational leader, the Assistant Director oversees Interlibrary Loan (ILL) and the student-led SearchWell triaged reference program, while cultivating strong partnerships with faculty and campus support units to advance HCU’s student success priorities through peer mentoring and collaborative research skill-building.
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:
Library Leadership and Planning
- Serve as the Library Director's associate, helping plan and implement library priorities, and providing operational leadership when the Director is unavailable.
- Share responsibility for planning, assessment, and budgeting for assigned areas (e.g., public services, student worker lines, selected services) in a small library environment.
Public Services, SearchWell, and ILL
- Lead public services, including the SearchWell triaged reference program and main service desk, to ensure welcoming, high-quality support for students and faculty.
- Oversee Interlibrary Loan and related resource sharing activities, including workflows and documentation.
- Develop and assess public service initiatives (especially SearchWell) that support student success and research confidence, using both quantitative and qualitative data.
- Supervise and coach graduate student assistants (GSAs) and student workers who provide basic reference and front desk services in conjunction with the graduate student assistant in charge of student worker training and the Circulation Desk Manager.
- In partnership with GSAs, design and deliver training so student workers learn reference interviewing skills and understand when and how to escalate questions.
- Stay current with developments in generative AI and related research tools, model effective and ethical AI use in research workflows, and train higher level student workers to use AI appropriately in the SearchWell triage environment (e.g., brainstorming keywords, refining questions, evaluating AI output) to better support students at the front desk.
- Offer professional development to faculty and students.
- Observe and monitor student workers on the desk to ensure they are applying SearchWell techniques and referral practices appropriately and provide ongoing feedback.
- Develop student workers as ambassadors for the library, including preparing them to lead basic workshops and to represent the library in their own classes and organizations.
Faculty Engagement and Academic Support
- Visit with faculty to promote library services and resources, identify course and program needs, and support library instruction and research assignments. Coordinate with Digital Services Librarian as needed.
- Collaborate with campus student support units (e.g., advising, tutoring, TRIO, Canvas integration, etc.) to integrate library services into broader academic support initiatives.
Online Content and Workflows
- Maintain content in LibGuides and update public services workflows. Coordinate with the Digital Services librarian as needed.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- ALA accredited Master’s degree in Library and Information Science.
- Experience providing public services and/or reference in an academic or research library.
- Experience supervising, training, or mentoring staff or student workers.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with a clear commitment to developing user- focused service.
- Ability to manage multiple responsibilities, set priorities, and follow through on projects.
- Be available for some night and weekend programming
- Work to further the University’s mission
- Must be able to completely affirm, uphold, and live within the Preamble of Houston Christian University and the Ten Pillars Core Convictions
- Exhibit an active Christian faith with local church membership and involvement
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Houston Christian University is committed to maintaining a teaching faculty and staff who share an active Christian faith. The Preamble to the By-Laws and the Foundational Documents of the University set forth a statement of belief which each University employee is expected to support and personify. Your submittal of an application for employment indicates your acceptance and affirmation of these statements.
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and requirements of personnel.
**Disclaimer**
Background checks are performed on every new hire. If your application is selected to continue with the interviewing process, you will be required to submit a Background Check form. If you decline, your application may be denied. By proceeding with the online application, you understand and accept this process.
