Library Director - Atla : Job Details

The Iliff School of Theology invites applications for the position of Library Director at Ira J. Taylor Library, ideally to begin June 1, 2026, and not later than the summer of 2026.

The Iliff School of Theology is a United Methodist-related graduate theological school with an ecumenical and interfaith spirit offering the following degrees: Master of Divinity, Master of Arts, and Doctor of Ministry. In addition, we offer a Ph.D. in the Study of Religion with the University of Denver.

The Ira J. Taylor Library contains the largest theological collection in the Rocky Mountain area with approximately 150,000 volumes, 900 current periodical and serial subscriptions, as well as many electronic databases. Our Margaret E. Scheve Archives contains archival repositories for the Iliff School of Theology and the Mountain Sky Conference of the United Methodist Church. The staff consists of two full-time employees and part-time work-study student support. The library has an annual budget of approximately $360,000.

Responsibilities

We seek a candidate with knowledge of library technology and strong managerial and leadership skills who will reimagine our library. The primary areas of responsibility for the position include:

Visionary Leadership and Strategic Planning

• The Library Director will have a vision for the Taylor Library that both extends beyond the immediate academic and budgetary needs of the school and is integrated into Iliff's long-range plan. After consultation with library staff, faculty, and other appropriate members of the Iliff community, the Director will develop, clarify, and articulate this vision and its implications for library systems and programs in anticipation of the 2028 accreditation.

Technology

• The Iliff School of Theology actively is engaged in using technology in all areas of its curriculum, teaching, and research. The Library Director must be familiar and comfortable with a wide range of library and education technologies. This includes familiarity with library systems and software; a working knowledge of educational technology as it relates to the role of the library in theological education; leadership in identifying, evaluating, selecting, and implementing innovative information technologies for the library; and working with Iliff's information technology staff to coordinate the library and its resources more fully with the school's online learning efforts.

Management (Personnel, Budget, Operations, Leadership Style)

• Personnel: The Library Director is responsible for providing leadership and guidance to staff; determining appropriate staffing needs; hiring, supervising, annually evaluating, and providing appropriate feedback to staff; and supporting the professional development of staff.
• Budgeting: Budgetary responsibilities include identifying fiscal needs in consultation with library staff; formulating and managing the budget; representing library needs to the administration during annual institutional budgetary planning; and working with Institutional Advancement to identify and cultivate outside sources of income.
• Library Operations: The Director's responsibilities include management of library facilities; planning for current and future space use; project management; on-going assessment of library services and programs; and compiling statistics and other information for reporting purposes.
• Leadership Style: The Library Director should have a collaborative management style and an understanding and appreciation for the school's shared governance among its various constituencies, including the Board of Trustees, staff, faculty, and students. To this end Iliff seeks applicants with demonstrated evidence of effective communication, management, and interpersonal skills and a collegial approach to managing library operations.

Collection Development

• Central to the Library Director's responsibilities is overseeing the acquisition of materials for the Taylor Library collection. The Director is to articulate and implement a vision for collection development in support of the school's academic needs; work with faculty to ensure library acquisitions support faculty research and teaching; work competently with specialized disciplines and foreign language materials; integrate electronic resources into the collection; select vendors, negotiate contracts, and establish ordering and approval procedures and policies; and periodically review and assess the collection.
• In addition to service directly to Iliff and Taylor Library, the Library Director needs to understand and support the information needs of the Rocky Mountain region. This includes cultivating the Library's important relationships with the University of Denver's Anderson Academic Commons and other appropriate regional institutions.

Required Qualifications

All applicants for this position are required to hold an ALA-accredited MLS or equivalent. Preference will be given to candidates who hold theological degrees and have significant experience with theological education. The Library Director will report to the Academic Vice President/Dean of the Faculty, with primary responsibilities to the library.

Work Schedule

This is an exempt position working 37.5 hours per week, primarily on campus. Monday-Thursday generally between the hours of 8:00 am - 4:30 pm with a one-hour lunch break. Fridays, 8:00 am – 12:00 pm. On campus working hours will largely be dictated by the hours the library is open.

Physical Demands

• Must be able to remain in a stationary position for extended periods of time (Approximately 65% of the position is spent in a stationary position.)
• Must be able to input information into and retrieve information from a computer, communicate, and exchange information for extended periods of time
• Ability to move up to 30lbs. (Approximately 35% of the position requires movement of items.)
• Moderate noise level, well-lighted, heated and/or air-conditioned indoor office setting with adequate ventilation.
• Light physical activity performing non-strenuous daily activities of an administrative nature.

Position Annual Salary Range

Range: $70,000 - $75,000

Currently includes medical, dental, life and disability insurance, vacation, sick and holiday pay, tuition waiver program, and a tax-deferred annuity plan.

How to Apply

Applications are to include a cover letter, curriculum vitae and the names and contact information of three references. For fullest consideration, applications are to be received no later than April 1, 2026. Please send applications to [email protected].

Additional Information

The Iliff School of Theology is an equal opportunity employer and as such prohibits unlawful discrimination on the basis of age 40 and over, race, sex, color, religion, national origin, mental or physical disability, genetic information, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender expression, creed, pregnancy, marital status, veteran status, or other legally protected statuses. Every person is treated equally according to their qualifications, abilities, and experience in conducting all personnel actions and procedures including, but not limited to, recruitment, hiring, placement, training, discipline, transfer, promotion, benefits, layoff, leaves of absence, compensation, and all other terms and conditions of employment. For more information, visit us at www.iliff.edu.

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