Academic Career & Executive Search is pleased to assist University of Detroit Mercy in its search for Dean of Libraries. 

For full consideration, please apply by March 27th. 

This is a unique opportunity for a dynamic and collaborative leader to join Detroit Mercy to advocate and advance its mission across the campus community and throughout the external community at large. Detroit Mercy views its library system as one of the essential pieces of its university culture. Its libraries are collaborative places that connect us in creative ways. The successful candidate is a visionary leader and prominent advocate who understands and provides the strategic direction necessary to meet the needs of Detroit Mercy’s libraries as they move into the 21st century.

The Dean of Libraries supervises the McNichols Campus Library, the School of Dentistry Library, and the School of Optometry Library, which is anticipated to open in Fall 2025. The Dean will use their strategic and visionary leadership to further position the Libraries as a hub of collaboration, digital innovation, and scholarly endeavors. The Dean will oversee the Libraries throughout the University which hold a combined collection of nearly 2 million items, including print and electronic books and journals, films on DVD and streaming, government documents, databases, and archival materials. The McNichols Campus Library has been designated the Dudley Randall Literary Landmark by the American Library Association and the Archive Research Center (ARC) is home to several special collections, including the Black Abolitionist Archive, the Padre Guadalupe Carney Latin American Solidarity Archive, and the Fr. Edward J. Dowling, S.J., Marine Historical Collection.  

This position reports to the Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs. 


DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provides executive leadership and oversight of UDM libraries (McNichols Campus, Dental and Optometry)
• Supports the university’s Strategic Plan and Mission
• Creates and manages an infrastructure that promotes a climate of student, faculty, and library personnel success
• Ensures compliance with accreditation requirements for the university and individual academic programs
• Recruits, hires, mentors, and evaluates faculty librarians, support personnel, and administrators, supporting professional development and engagement
• Nurtures a collegial environment within the libraries, School of Law Library, and other academic and academic support units
• Engages in strategic planning with library colleagues to create the library of the future and coordinates the plan’s implementation
• Develops a vision for making the library spaces, virtual and physical, attractive, safe, and accessible for students to study, meet, create, and experience emerging technologies
• Participates in the Academic Leadership Team and University Leadership Council
• Develops, manages, and advocates for budget allocations that support the needs of the libraries
• Actively represents UDM to local, state, and national organizations, e.g., Detroit Area Library Network and Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities (AJCU) library deans, American Library Association, Association of College and Research Libraries, MiALA – Michigan Academic Library Association 
• Identifies and seeks opportunities for fundraising, grant writing, and building relationships with individuals, corporate donors, and alumni
• Serves on university committees and task forces as requested by the President and or Provost/VPAA

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• An ALA-Accredited Master of Library Science from a program accredited by the American Library Association or Master of Information Science or equivalent.
• At least five years of demonstrated management and leadership experience in an academic library including budget administration and personnel management
• Exemplary problem-solving skills, able to identify problems and implement solutions
• Strong communication, interpersonal, and presentation skills

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• An earned doctorate relevant to leadership in an academic library, Library Science, Information Science, Higher education leadership
• Evidence of scholarly achievement
• Experience integrating relevant emerging technologies into library services
• Experience working with a library consortium
• Experience managing in a collective bargaining environment 
• Experience in strategic planning 
• Exemplary problem-solving skills, able to identify problems and implement solutions
• Administrative experience in a shared governance environment
• Experience with diverse students and faculty to promote student success and faculty excellence in teaching, scholarship, and service
• Experience in developing projects, activities or services responsive to changing intuitional priorities
• Evidence of a commitment to understanding and addressing the library needs of the university’s undergraduate, graduate, and professional students 
• Demonstrated knowledge of important issues facing academic libraries, e.g., scholarly communications, equity of information access, open access, evolving integrated library systems and a willingness to foster innovation.
• Willingness to be a change agent and model collaboration to achieve change.
• Evidence of successfully leading transformational change

About the Libraries

Faculty and Staff

• Four administrators:
  • Associate Dean for Public Services 
  • Associate Dean of Tech Services and the Archives Research Center
  • Head of Circulation 
  • Director, School of Dentistry Library
• Eight faculty librarians
• Nine staff: 
  • Library Technicians – acquisitions, cataloging, interlibrary loan
  • Library Assistants – circulation, acquisitions, collection maintenance 
  • Administrative assistant to the Dean

he Library website includes access to the catalog for print and online materials. In addition, research guides developed by Detroit Mercy reference librarians provide links to subject-specific resources.  

The McNichols Campus and Dental collections consist of print and electronic journals, books, electronic databases, streaming videos, and DVDs.  

Reference services are provided virtually and in person. Subject specialist librarians liaise with academic departments, providing instruction to classes on information retrieval and evaluation. 
Edesk reference service is available by email 24/7. 

The McNichols Campus Library also houses the:

• Center for Excellence Teaching and Learning [CETL]
• Student Success Center https://www.udmercy.edu/current-students/support-services/success-center.php 
• Student Accessibility Services. https://www.udmercy.edu/current-students/support-services/sas/index.php 
• The Bookmark is cafe on the first floor of the McNichols campus Library.    

About the Institution

Founded in 1877, University of Detroit Mercy is Michigan’s largest and most comprehensive Catholic institution. Rooted in the ideals of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) and the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas, UDM’s mission is to provide an outstanding student-centered education in an urban context at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, emphasizing intellectual, spiritual, ethical and social development of all students. 

Detroit Mercy offers 105 programs, including five-year master’s and certificate programs. At the graduate level, the University offers 39 master’s degree programs, one specialist program and seven doctoral/professional-level programs, including law and dentistry. Additionally, the University awards graduate certificates in 22 programs.

A distinctive feature of Detroit Mercy’s educational approach is the Cooperative Education Program, the third oldest continuous program of its kind in the nation, which is open to all students. This program is mandatory for those pursuing degrees in Architecture, Engineering, and the five-year Business program (BSBA/MBA).

Detroit Mercy consistently ranks high in the U.S. News & World Report’s National Universities category as a Best Value School. The Wall Street Journal/College Pulse recognized UDM as one of the top institutions of higher education in the United States for 2024, with a ranking of #2 in Michigan for offering excellence in academics at an affordable price.

Living in the Area

Situated in northwest Detroit, the surrounding area boasts a vibrant arts and cultural scene with renowned museums, theaters, art galleries and vibrant music venues. Significant investments in the downtown and Midtown areas have led to a wealth of new businesses, shopping, restaurants and entertainment offerings. As the birthplace of Motown, the Motor City offers a rich history in music and remains one of the top hubs for musical talent. Detroit has a passionate fanbase of sports enthusiasts and with several professional teams, there is never a shortage of community-centered events happening downtown. 

Detroit is near the Great Lakes, offering residents the chance to engage in a wide variety of outdoor activities and water-related recreation. Additionally, the city and the greater metropolitan area boast numerous parks, green spaces and beaches, including the scenic and nationally honored Detroit RiverWalk and notable areas like Palmer Park and Campus Martius. The cost of living is very affordable in Detroit compared to other major cities. Housing costs are 78.8 percent less expensive than the national average making homeownership easily attainable for residents and transplants. As a hub to many major industries, such as automotive, technology, and healthcare, job opportunities are ample in the area. 

To Apply 

For full consideration, please apply by March 27th. 

Please apply through the application link and do not email applications. 

Applications will be reviewed as they are received and should include a cover letter and curriculum vita. Ideally cover letters should not exceed two pages. All applications are treated confidentially.

Inquiries, referrals, and nominations are also treated confidentially.

Inquiries and questions: Please send to UDMDeanofLibraries@acesrch.com 
Nominations and referrals: Please send the nominee’s name, title, and contact information if available to nominations@acesrch.com. 

University of Detroit Mercy’s EEO Statement
Michigan’s largest, most comprehensive private University, University of Detroit Mercy, is an independent Catholic Institution of higher education sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy and Society of Jesus. Detroit Mercy seeks qualified candidates who will contribute to the University’s mission, diversity, and excellence of its academic community. University of Detroit Mercy is an Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action Employer with a diverse student body and welcomes persons of all backgrounds.