Interested candidates should provide a CV and cover letter by email to Amy Morse (amy@jackfarrell.com) by April 28, 2025, for best consideration.
Application description
University of Iowa Libraries
Assistant University Librarian, Hardin Library for the Health Sciences
The University of Iowa Libraries has exclusively retained Jack Farrell & Associates (www.jackfarrell.com) to find the successful candidate for this position. Interested candidates should provide a CV and cover letter by email to Amy Morse (amy@jackfarrell.com) by April 28, 2025, for priority consideration. See specific application information below.
The Assistant University Librarian of the Hardin Library for the Health Sciences is a leader within the University of Iowa Libraries, charged with providing strategic vision, operational oversight, and leadership for one of the nation’s premier health sciences libraries. This role requires a dynamic, diplomatic, and results-driven leader with a proven track record of navigating complex institutional environments, leading large teams or organizations, and managing significant facilities and operational resources.
Reporting to the Associate University Librarian for Teaching, Learning, and Research, with a dotted line to the University Librarian, the Assistant University Librarian is responsible for ensuring that Hardin Library remains an indispensable resource for faculty, clinicians, researchers, and students across the university’s five health sciences colleges and UI Health Care as well as providers across the state of Iowa. This leader must be adept at balancing long-term strategic planning with the agility to respond to rapid changes in medical education, research, and healthcare delivery. They will champion innovation in library services, ensuring that information skills are seamlessly integrated into health sciences curricula and clinical practice.
A key aspect of the role is advocating for Hardin Library across the university and beyond, building strong relationships with institutional leadership, external partners, funding agencies, and national organizations. The Assistant University Librarian will need to navigate complex university relationships effectively, leveraging resources, and influencing policy.
Additionally, the Assistant University Librarian will oversee the management of the Hardin library, ensuring that physical and digital spaces meet the evolving needs of users. They will lead strategic space & technological enhancements and infrastructure improvements to position Hardin as a model for modern health sciences libraries.
About Hardin Library for the Health Sciences
The Hardin Library for the Health Sciences at the University of Iowa is dedicated to disseminating health sciences information to students, faculty, and staff in support of education, research, and healthcare, while preserving the scholarly record for future generations. The library supports the information needs of the Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, the colleges of Dentistry, Nursing, Pharmacy, and Public Health, as well as the departments of Communication Sciences and Disorders and Health and Human Physiology within the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Additionally, Hardin Library serves as the research library for UI Health Care and is the only comprehensive health sciences library in the state of Iowa.
Hardin Library is home to the John Martin Rare Book room which contains nearly 6,500 volumes of original works from classic contributions to the history of the health sciences from the 15th through 21st centuries, the Network of the National Library of Medicine (NNLM), Region 6, one of seven NNLM Regional Medical Libraries, which aim to advance the progress of medicine and improve public health through increased access to quality health information. Region 6 includes the states of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin.
Key Responsibilities
- Strategic Leadership & Institutional Advocacy
- Serve as the chief advocate and spokesperson for Hardin Library within the University of Iowa and beyond.
- Develop and implement a bold strategic vision for Hardin library that aligns with institutional priorities and anticipates future trends in health sciences education, research, and clinical practice.
- Navigate complex university structures, policies, and funding mechanisms to secure resources and position the library for long-term success.
- Represent Hardin Library in national and regional organizations, ensuring its continued leadership in the field.
- Operational & Facilities Management
- Provide high-level oversight of library operations, including personnel management, budgeting, collection management and resource allocation.
- Lead planning and execution of facility maintenance and upgrades, space utilization strategies, and infrastructure investments to modernize library services within the Hardin library.
- Ensure the library remains a welcoming, accessible, and technologically advanced hub for health sciences education and research.
- Organizational & Team Leadership
- Directly oversee a large team of librarians, professional staff, and operational personnel, ensuring a high-performance, service-oriented culture.
- Cultivate and mentor staff at all levels, ensuring professional growth and succession planning.
- Programmatic & Service Innovation
- Spearhead new initiatives to integrate information literacy, research support, and clinical decision-making resources into health sciences education and practice.
- Utilize data and evidence-based assessment to continuously refine services, ensuring they remain aligned with institutional needs.
- Foster interdisciplinary partnerships across the University Libraries system, health sciences colleges, affiliated faculty, and external collaborators.
- Funding & External Engagement
- Serve as the Principal Investigator for the University of Iowa’s NNLM grant, ensuring compliance and maximizing impact.
- Collaboratively build relationships with donors, alumni, and funding agencies to strengthen financial sustainability.
Required Qualifications
- Master’s Degree or higher in Library and Information Science from an ALA-accredited institution, or equivalent.
- At least 8 years of leadership experience in an academic health sciences or medical library, with evidence of progressively increasing leadership, supervisory or managerial responsibility and a demonstrated record of leading large teams or organizations.
- Proven ability to navigate complex university structures, policies, and funding mechanisms and secure institutional resources.
- Experience overseeing major facilities, operational budgets, and strategic planning efforts.
- Strong background in developing and implementing strategic priorities that enhance organizational effectiveness.
- Demonstrated ability to build consensus across a broad range of stakeholder groups and foster productive collaborations.
- National recognition in the field through professional society leadership (e.g., Medical Library Association) or other significant contributions.
- Demonstrated knowledge of effective strategies for working with faculty, staff, and students from a variety of backgrounds and perspectives.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience leading large-scale facilities management projects, including renovations, infrastructure planning, and space optimization.
- Track record of successfully securing and managing federal, foundation, or institutional grant funding.
- Experience delivering library and information services in a clinical setting, supporting research, education, and patient care.
- Demonstrated success in mentoring and developing high-performing teams, particularly in complex, evolving environments.
How to apply for the position:
The University of Iowa Libraries has exclusively retained Jack Farrell & Associates (www.jackfarrell.com) to find the successful candidate for this position. Interested candidates should provide a CV and cover letter by email to Amy Morse (amy@jackfarrell.com) by April 28, 2025, for priority consideration.
The cover letter should address the following questions in no more than 2 pages:
- Why are you interested in this position and why Iowa?
- Share your path (career trajectory) that led you to be ready for this role?
Successful candidates will be required to self-disclose any conviction history and will be subject to a criminal background check and credential/education verification. Up to 5 professional references will be requested at a later step in the recruitment process.
For additional questions, please contact Amy Morse at amy@jackfarrell.com.
The University of Iowa is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment free from discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth and related conditions), disability, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, service in the U.S. military, sexual orientation, gender identity, or associational preferences.
Persons with disabilities who need assistance or accommodations with the application or interview process may contact University Human Resources/Faculty and Staff Disability Services, (319) 335-2660 or fsds@uiowa.edu.