VIRGINIA LIBRARY ASSN is hiring: Director of Access & User Services James Madi

Job description

DATE ENTERED: August 9, 2025
POSITION: Director of Access and User Services
LOCATION: Harrisonburg, VA

Director of Access & User Services - Libraries

JMU Libraries is accepting applications for Director of Access & User Services (AUS).

AUS is a newly reorganized department comprised of three experienced teams-- Access & Delivery, Library & Information Services, and the Music Library.

We are looking for a leader interested in developing a shared vision for the department, as well as leading and shaping services that meet the evolving needs of our organization and users.

The AUS department is responsible for facilitating access to collections, learning spaces, and connection to additional Libraries services and experts.

These services operate across five locations: Rose Library, JMU Libraries Express, the Music Library, the Hub, and an off-campus storage facility.

The AUS department staffs our Ask the Library service points (in-person and virtual).

The Director will be instrumental in developing AUS operations in the newly renovated Carrier Library (opening in Fall 2026) and supporting the broader changes in Libraries services across all of our locations.

The position is a full-time, twelve-month, tenure-track position with instructional faculty status.

We anticipate hiring at the rank of Assistant or Associate Professor.

The successful candidate will report to the Associate Dean for Academic Engagement (AE).

The JMU Libraries faculty are governed by the policies and evaluation practices established in our Promotion & Tenure Guidelines and the JMU Faculty Handbook.

Specific responsibilities unique to this position include:

1.

Develop and implement a vision for AUS services with care for users and AUS employees.

2.

Recruit, train, supervise, and complete performance evaluations of team members (both direct reports and indirect reports).

Apply techniques like coaching and mentorship to support growth and development.

3.

Manage day-to-day department operations across multiple locations and modalities (physical and virtual).

Activities include coordinating staffing, promoting open and effective communication, ensuring compliance with Libraries and university policies, documenting practices and procedures, and assessing department operations for efficiency and/or opportunities for change.

4.

Lead projects within the department to change or update department operations for reasons such as changes in users needs, professional practices, and/or institutional policies.

5.

Serve as high-level point of contact for internal Libraries projects or collaboration opportunities.

Areas of frequent collaboration include facilities, collections (including interlibrary loan and course reserves), and referrals pathways to other Libraries services and experts (ex: liaison librarians, educational technology experts).

The position will triage requests and determine opportunities to delegate and empower other members in AUS in an effort to distribute requests appropriately based on scope and expertise.

Responsibilities expected as a leader and supervisor in JMU Libraries include:

6.

Represent the perspectives and interests of the department to the Libraries and campus partners.

7.

Contribute to JMU Libraries’ strategic activities, such as annual reporting and organization-wide strategic planning.

8.

Collaborate with Libraries' ad hoc teams and leadership groups to shape operations, services, policies, and procedures.

9.

As guided by the Associate Dean for AE, translate and implement JMU policies and procedures into Libraries service operations.

Qualifications:

Required:

• A graduate degree in library science or another relevant field.

• Experience in access and/or public-facing service functions in libraries, such as access to collections (circulation, delivery), service point operations, information seeking support, first-level reference, and/or stacks maintenance.

• Experience with developing and delivering community-centered library services.

This may include activities such as conducting user experience research, accessibility audits, and/or developing services using service design activities.

• Experience with relevant technologies, such as library management system (ex: Alma), service point staff scheduling (ex: When2Work), teaching and learning platforms (ex: Canvas, LibGuides), and virtual reference services (ex: LibAnswers).

• Demonstrated supervisory experience.

• Track record of progressively responsible experience with projects and/or services, such as taking on new challenges, developing services/programs related to access or public-facing services (as described above), project management, leadership roles, and/or fostering change.

• Demonstrated commitment to enhancing inclusive excellence in an organizational context.

Additional considerations

• Demonstrated analytical skills and experience using quantitative and/or qualitative data and methods for assessment to inform decision-making.

• Experience managing operations and staffing across multiple library locations or branches.

To learn more and to apply, go to and reference posting number 20001346.

Review of applications begins 8/18/2025.

Pay is a range of $90,000-$95,000.

James Madison University is committed to creating and supporting a diverse and inclusive work and educational community that is free of all forms of discrimination.

This institution does not tolerate discrimination or harassment on the basis of age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, national origin, parental status, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or veteran status We promote access, inclusion and diversity for all students, faculty, staff, constituents and programs, believing that these qualities are foundational components of an outstanding education in keeping with our mission.

The university is interested in candidates whose experience and qualifications support an ongoing commitment to this core quality Anyone having questions concerning discrimination should contact the Office for Equal Opportunity: (540) 568-6991.

Required Skill Profession

Librarians, Curators, And Archivists