POSITION: Director of Access Services

DEPARTMENT: Access Services

REPORTS TO: Associate University Librarian for Collections and Access

EFFECTIVE: 5/1/2026

Summary: Northwestern University Libraries seeks a forward-thinking, user-focused and collaborative leader to provide strategic direction and operational leadership for the Access Services department. Reporting to the Associate University Librarian for Collections & Access, the Director of Access Services oversees a portfolio of mission-critical services, including circulation, interlibrary loan, document delivery, course reserves, and stacks management. Together, these services ensure the reliable and efficient access to library materials to Northwestern's faculty, students, and researchers.

This role blends visionary leadership with operational excellence. The Director drives innovation, bold experimentation, and the thoughtful adoption of emerging technologies (e.g., workflow automation, AI) to improve the user experience and shape the future of access services in academic libraries.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND EXPECTATIONS

• Direct and manage a forward-thinking Access Services department, with oversight of circulation, course reserves, interlibrary loan, document delivery, and stacks management operations. Provide strategic leadership in reimagining access services in a rapidly evolving research environment, ensuring that services adapt to changes in user expectations and technologies.
• Provide overall direction for a team of full-time staff, librarian faculty, and student workers. Directly supervise 3 FTE, including the area supervisors of course reserves, circulation, and interlibrary loan and stacks manager. Coordinate the department's work. Provide mentorship, advocacy and support to all department staff and foster professional engagement and growth
• Lead the exploration, evaluation, piloting, and implementation of next-generation workflows, service models, and technologies, including automation and AI-driven tools, to enhance operational efficiency and the overall user experience
• Promote a culture of innovation, shared purpose, data-informed decision making, and continuous improvement within Access Services to anticipate and respond to user needs
• Develop, communicate, and assess policies related to access services in collaboration with library and campus units, and external partners
• Represent the library in initiatives related to access services, including the Big Ten Academic Alliance. Monitor and contribute to national conversations on the future of access services in research libraries
• Contribute to the library's leadership role in the field through projects, presentations, scholarship, and active participation in relevant professional organizations

QUALIFICATIONS

• ALA-accredited master's degree in library and information science or equivalent education and experience.
• Minimum of five years of professional experience in an academic or research library
• Supervisory experience in a library or higher education setting.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and improve complex service operations, analyze workflows, and implement change.
• Experience with integrated operations and systems to support access to and management of library materials, including circulation, course reserves, and interlibrary loan functions and related systems.
• Demonstrated ability to use assessment, data, and user feedback to guide service improvements.
• Experience or strong interest in applying emerging technologies to enhance library services, resource accessibility, and instructional support.
• Ability to work collaboratively across departments and locations, build partnerships, and contribute to a positive, user-centered culture.
• Commitment to creating and maintaining an inclusive environment for students, researchers, and employees.
• Excellent communication and collaborative skills.

Preferred qualifications:

• Experience exploring, piloting, or implementing new processes or technologies in a library environment, especially automation solutions or AI-enabled tools.
• Experience leading the redesign of service workflows or operational transformations.

The budgeted salary range this position is $100,000 - $115,000

Northwestern University has provided a pay range representing its good faith estimate of what the university reasonably expects to pay for the position. The pay offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on factors including (but not limited to) the experience and qualifications of the selected candidate including years since terminal degree, training, and field or discipline; departmental budget availability; internal comparators; and external market pay for comparable jobs.

At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful and competitive benefits. The available benefits package for this position will include health, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance; paid medical/sick and parental leave; tuition benefits for the employee and dependents; pre-tax and flex spending accounts for commuting and dependent care; generous retirement savings options; and wellness programs. For a comprehensive overview of available benefits, including eligibility details, visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.

• Please read ALL instructions and make preparations before proceeding to the application page:
• Applications will only be accepted via online submission (see link below).
• Please prepare all documents in advance as Adobe PDF files, and please be sure all information is entered correctly and accurately (especially names and email addresses), as there will be no opportunity for online revision after your application has been submitted.
• Please also prepare a list of names and email addresses for your external academic references; your references will be contacted directly by the online system and invited to upload their letters on your behalf.
• All required fields in the application form are marked with an asterisk and must be filled before clicking the Submit button.
• Be aware that incomplete applications cannot be saved.

Applications accepted here: Apply for Job