Academic Dean - Library

43452BR

Library

Position Description

The Office of the Provost of Texas Tech University in the University Libraries at Texas Tech University invites applications for a full-time, 12-month, tenured Professor to begin July 1st, 2026. While appointed to this position, you will accrue vacation and will be required to report leave monthly following TTU's Operating Policy 70.01 and TTU System Regulation 07.12. Since you will accrue vacation, you will follow a staff holiday schedule, which is available here: https://www.depts.ttu.edu/hr/empbenefits/holidayschedule.php.

The successful candidate will be an innovative, dynamic, collaborative, and entrepreneurial Dean of Libraries providing intellectual and strategic leadership for teaching, research, service, and outreach and engagement endeavors in the University Libraries.

Among other duties, the Dean of Libraries will manage departmental personnel; administer the academic programs with the assistance of program directors; develop and sustain connections with related professional and industry entities to promote teaching, research, development, and outreach; effectively represent the department to internal and external entities; effectively manage the unit's budget to sustain a culture of fiscal responsibility and health; and promote the success of the faculty, staff, and students in the department. The Dean of Libraries will also serve as a departmental faculty member.

All prospective employees are encouraged to visit Work at Texas Tech to learn more about becoming a part of our campus community.

About the University

Established in 1923, Texas Tech University is a Carnegie R1 (very high research activity) Doctoral/Research-Extensive, Hispanic Serving, and state-assisted institution. Located on a beautiful 1,850-acre campus in Lubbock, a city in West Texas with a growing metropolitan-area population of over 300,000, the university enrolls over 40,000 students with 33,000 undergraduate and 7,000 graduate students. As the primary research institution in the western two-thirds of the state, Texas Tech University is home to 10 colleges, the Schools of Law and Veterinary Medicine, and the Graduate School. The flagship of the Texas Tech University System, Texas Tech is dedicated to student success by preparing learners to be ethical leaders for a diverse and globally competitive workforce. It is committed to enhancing the cultural and economic development of the state, nation, and world.
About Lubbock:Referred to as the "Hub City" because it serves as the educational, cultural, economic, and health care hub of the South Plains region, Lubbock boasts a diverse population and a strong connection to community, history, and land. With a mild climate, highly rated public schools, and a low cost of living, Lubbock is a family-friendly community that is ranked as one of the best places to live in Texas. Lubbock is home to a celebrated and ever-evolving music scene, a vibrant arts community, and is within driving distance of Dallas, Austin, Santa Fe, and other major metropolitan cities. Lubbock's Convention & Visitors Bureau provides a comprehensive overview of the Lubbock community and its resources, programs, events, and histories.

About the College

Texas Tech University Libraries serve as a vital partner with students and faculty in their learning endeavors. The University Libraries' system comprises: (1) University Library, (2) Southwest Collection/Special Collections Library,(3) Architecture Library, and (4) Peters Family Legacy Library within the Student Enrichment Center. The University Library is a patent and trademark depository and is one of two regional depositories for U.S. government documents in Texas. The central focus of the Texas Tech University Libraries is to make available 3.72 million physical volumes, electronic resources, special collections, and archives, and to offer services to students and faculty that enable academic and research success.

About the Department/School/Area

The University Library is open more hours than any other building on campus (with special 24/7 hours during final exam periods), and provides online access to approximately 191,000 online journals, newspapers, and periodicals, almost 1 million e-books, 400 databases, and 1 million architecture and art digital images. The University Library is the center of academic, social, and intellectual discovery on (and off) campus. Librarians offer personalized assistance for research and reference needs in person, by phone, via e-mail, or through the Ask-A-Librarian chat service. Every major has its own Personal Librarian who can be found at http://guides.library.ttu.edu/. The Library's award-winning Document Delivery service will obtain materials not owned by the Libraries for students and faculty and will hold and/or deliver them upon arrival.

The Library houses 279 public computers (both PC and Mac), the most computer stations on campus, each equipped with the latest full versions of Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, etc.), AutoCAD, and other project/product and publishing tools. The University Library also features the Study Hub with 14 Solstice Pods, which support screen mirroring for group work, as well as four KIC Scanners, which allow patrons to digitize content easily.

In the basement of the University Library, the state-of-the-art Crossroads Recording Studio provides a free facility to all students and university employees for practice, performance, podcasts, music, theater, and oral presentations. The basement also houses new instruction labs for workshops and more.

Thirty-five group study rooms are available for reservation, and over 180 individual study rooms are available for check-out. Walk-in study rooms are also available.
The university offers a 1-credit-hour course (LIBR 1100) to convey effective library research methods and strategies for scholastic success. The Library also offers numerous workshops throughout the year on topics such as databases, managing citations, 3D printing, and more.

The University Archives serves as the institutional memory for Texas Tech University by collecting, preserving, and making accessible to researchers such materials as administrative and faculty records, publications, photographs, memorabilia and video and audio recordings. These materials document the legal, historical, fiscal, administrative, and intellectual aspects of the university, as well as the cultural and social aspects of student life.

About the Department and/or College

Texas Tech University Libraries serve as a vital partner with students and faculty in their learning endeavors. The University Libraries' system comprises: (1) University Library, (2) Southwest Collection/Special Collections Library,(3) Architecture Library, and (4) Peters Family Legacy Library within the Student Enrichment Center. The University Library is a patent and trademark depository and is one of two regional depositories for U.S. government documents in Texas. The central focus of the Texas Tech University Libraries is to make available 3.72 million physical volumes, electronic resources, special collections, and archives, and to offer services to students and faculty that enable academic and research success.

The University Library is open more hours than any other building on campus (with special 24/7 hours during final exam periods), and provides online access to approximately 191,000 online journals, newspapers, and periodicals, almost 1 million e-books, 400 databases, and 1 million architecture and art digital images. The University Library is the center of academic, social, and intellectual discovery on (and off) campus. Librarians offer personalized assistance for research and reference needs in person, by phone, via e-mail, or through the Ask-A-Librarian chat service. Every major has its own Personal Librarian who can be found at http://guides.library.ttu.edu/. The Library's award-winning Document Delivery service will obtain materials not owned by the Libraries for students and faculty and will hold and/or deliver them upon arrival.

The Library houses 279 public computers (both PC and Mac), the most computer stations on campus, each equipped with the latest full versions of Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, etc.), AutoCAD, and other project/product and publishing tools. The University Library also features the Study Hub with 14 Solstice Pods, which support screen mirroring for group work, as well as four KIC Scanners, which allow patrons to digitize content easily.

In the basement of the University Library, the state-of-the-art Crossroads Recording Studio provides a free facility to all students and university employees for practice, performance, podcasts, music, theater, and oral presentations. The basement also houses new instruction labs for workshops and more.

Thirty-five group study rooms are available for reservation, and over 180 individual study rooms are available for check-out. Walk-in study rooms are also available.
The university offers a 1-credit-hour course (LIBR 1100) to convey effective library research methods and strategies for scholastic success. The Library also offers numerous workshops throughout the year on topics such as databases, managing citations, 3D printing, and more.

The University Archives serves as the institutional memory for Texas Tech University by collecting, preserving, and making accessible to researchers such materials as administrative and faculty records, publications, photographs, memorabilia and video and audio recordings. These materials document the legal, historical, fiscal, administrative, and intellectual aspects of the university, as well as the cultural and social aspects of student life.

Major/Essential Functions

In line with TTU's strategic priorities to engage and empower a dynamic student body, enable innovative research and creative activities, and transform lives and communities through outreach and engaged scholarship, applicants should have experience working with dynamic student populations at the undergraduate and/or graduate levels within individual or across the areas of teaching, research/creative activity, and service.

Among other duties, the Dean will manage college personnel; develop and sustain connections with related professional and industry entities to promote teaching, research, development, and outreach; effectively represent the Texas Tech University Library to internal and external entities; effectively manage the unit's budget to sustain a culture of fiscal responsibility and health; and promote the success of the faculty, staff, and students in the college. The Dean will provide leadership to librarians and library staff to effectively support faculty, staff, and students in the university's research, outreach, and academic mission.

Organization

Texas Tech University

Required Qualifications

• Master's degree from an ALA-accredited program.
• Administrative leadership experience in an academic or research library, including supervision of professional staff, budget oversight, and strategic planning.
• Sustained involvement in student success, teaching and learning support, and the role of libraries in advancing research, scholarship, and campus-wide academic priorities.

Faculty Qualifications

• Master's degree from an ALA-accredited program.
• Administrative leadership experience in an academic or research library, including supervision of professional staff, budget oversight, and strategic planning.
• Sustained involvement in student success, teaching and learning support, and the role of libraries in advancing research, scholarship, and campus-wide academic priorities.

Preferred Qualifications

In addition to the required qualifications, individuals with the following preferred qualifications are strongly encouraged to apply:

• Ph.D. in related field.
• Experience working in an R1 or large research-intensive university library, including support for emerging research infrastructures (e.g., data services, digital scholarship, open access).
• Demonstrated ability to lead organizational change, including space planning, technology modernization, and innovative service models.
• Record of scholarship, professional engagement, or successful grant activity relevant to academic libraries or information science.

Duty Point

TTU Lubbock, main campus and affiliated facilities

Safety Information

Adherence to robust safety practices and compliance with all applicable health and safety regulations are responsibilities of all TTU employees.

Does this position work in a research laboratory?

No

Special Instructions to Applicants

Application materials should include:

• A letter of interest that clearly states the applicant's qualifications for the position
• A current resume/curriculum vitae
• Other documents directly related to required qualifications
• List of references

Job Type

Full Time

Pay Basis

Monthly

Pay Statement

Compensation is commensurate upon the qualifications of the individual selected and budgetary guidelines of the hiring department, as well as the institutional pay plan.

Travel Required

Up to 25%

Grant Funded?

No

Job Group

Executive Administration

EEO Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information or status as a protected veteran.

Salary Grade

800

Applications must be received by

04/09/2026