University Librarian (Endowed Senior Leadership Position) New
Iowa State University · Ames, Iowa, US · On-site · Administration
Apply by Sep 10, 2026
Posted Aug 5, 2026
Overview
Iowa State University of Science and Technology, one of the nation’s leading land-grant institutions, invites applications and nominations for the position of Colonel Gary G. Swenson, Ph.D. Endowed University Librarian. This is an endowed senior leadership position responsible for all university libraries.
As a member of the university’s senior leadership team, the University Librarian develops strategy, cultivates partnerships, secures internal and external support, and fosters a culture of innovation and excellence. The position oversees 103 staff, 100 student employees, and 12 library departments, ensuring outstanding services, collections, technology, and research support for the university community.
The University Librarian reports to the Senior Vice President and Provost, advancing the university’s land-grant mission around three strategic leadership pillars:
- Student Success: Advancing learning and belonging by stewarding high impact library spaces and services that support students throughout their academic journeys. This work includes fostering flexible study environments, ensuring access to technology and learning resources, supporting affordability through course reserves and open educational resources, and curating globally informed collections and partnerships.
- Research Excellence: As an essential component of Iowa State’s research infrastructure, cultivating an environment where discovery thrives by ensuring seamless access to scholarly resources and data, strengthening interdisciplinary research support, and advancing open scholarship, data sharing, and scholarly communication practices that extend the reach and impact of Iowa State research.
- Technology and AI Leadership: Leading the thoughtful integration of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, to enhance research, teaching, and operational effectiveness while maintaining a strong commitment to ethics and stewardship.
Qualifications
Required:
- An earned master’s degree or equivalent professional degree, and ten years of related experience
Preferred:
- An MLS or graduate degree in library or information science from an American Library Association-accredited institution
- Ph.D. in an academic discipline
- Extensive leadership experience in R1 or R2 academic libraries, with a demonstrated understanding of challenges and opportunities facing academic libraries and higher education
- Strong budgeting expertise and financial acumen, with the ability to translate resources into financial strategy and organizational impact
- A record of data-driven, evidence-based decision-making in a transparent and collaborative environment
- Excellent communication skills (written, spoken, interpersonal)
- Experience in personnel management with evidence mentoring and development in support of a high-functioning team
- Exposure to fundraising and creating engaging opportunities for increased visibility
