Director of Library Spaces and Planning

Department

Library Dean

Compensation

 

General Description/ Primary Purpose: The Director of Library Spaces and Planning reports directly to the Dean of the Library and provides strategic leadership for the planning, development, and management of library facilities and spaces. This position ensures a safe, functional, and welcoming environment that supports student success, teaching, research, and community engagement. The Director leads space planning, renovation, and facilities improvement projects; oversees building operations, maintenance, security, and compliance; and collaborates with campus partners to align library spaces with institutional priorities and evolving user needs. The Director also supervises one staff member.

Job Functions

 

Strategic Space Planning

• Provides strategic leadership for library space planning, by establishing long-range priorities that align with institutional and library goals, evolving user needs, and emerging trends in academic library learning environments.
• Advises the Library Dean on space strategy, project prioritization, and operational needs.
• Lead the planning and development of library spaces that support teaching, learning, research, collaboration, and engagement, identifying opportunities for renovations and enhancements that improve the user experience and support strategic priorities.
• Represents the library in campus planning, capital projects, and donor-funded initiatives, collaborating with library leadership, Physical Facilities, Campus Planning, Environmental Health & Safety, Information Technology Services, donors, and other stakeholders to advance projects that support institutional and library objectives.

  

Facilities Management

• Provides oversight for the maintenance, repair, and enhancement of library facilities, collaborating with Physical Facilities, Campus Planning, and external contractors as needed to establish priorities, advance improvement projects, and ensure library spaces remain safe, functional, and responsive to evolving user and operational needs.
• Oversees the management of space utilization, including preparing spaces for events and ensuring compliance with safety regulations.
• Communicates facility updates, project impacts, and building disruptions to library staff and stakeholders as appropriate.

 

Assessment and Decision Support

• Assesses current and future space requirements, occupancy trends, user behavior, and emerging developments in academic library environments in collaboration with the Assessment and User Experience Librarian.
• Analyzes assessment data and performance measures related to space utilization and facility effectiveness to support strategic planning and continuous improvement.
• Develops reports and recommendations to inform library leadership decisions regarding space utilization, facility improvements and capital projects.

 

Safety & Compliance

• Ensures compliance with fire safety, ADA accessibility, and other regulatory requirements.
• Oversees emergency preparedness planning and coordinate drills in collaboration with Environmental Health & Safety, University Police, and other campus partners.

 

Marginal Functions

• Maintains awareness of library projects and activities in all departments.
• Participates in the planning and policy making bodies of the library and university as appropriate.
• Serves on library or university committees or project teams as appropriate.
• Participates in training and professional development activities as appropriate.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

 

Required Qualifications

Master's and 6+ years of relevant experience or Bachelor's degree and 8+ years of relevant experience. Or an equivalent combination of education and experience pursuant to Fla. Stat. 112.219.

Department Requirements:

• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Experience overseeing library facilities, including space planning and maintenance.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and work effectively both independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced work environment. 
• Knowledge of current trends in library spaces in higher education.
• The Director of Library Spaces and Planning may be required to address after hours emergency calls and work occasional library events.

Preferred Qualifications / Skills:

• Supervisory experience.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with campus partners, including Facilities and Information Technology.
• Experience assessing, planning, and implementing library space improvements, including renovations and facilities initiatives, to support teaching, learning, research, and student success.

• About the Department: For more information about the Thomas G. Carpenter Library visit: https://www.unf.edu/library.

 

Statement(s) of Understanding

This position requires a background check. In conjunction with the University's policy, this position may also require a credit check.

The holder of this position is designated as a “Responsible Employee” pursuant to their role under Title IX. Therefore, the incumbent must promptly report allegations of sexual misconduct, sexual violence, and child sexual abuse by or against any student, employee, contractor, or visitor to the University’s Title IX Administrator or any divisional Title IX Coordinator

 

 

Equal Opportunity

The University of North Florida (UNF) is committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all who interact in our community. In building this environment, we strive to attract students, faculty and staff from a variety of cultures, backgrounds and life experiences. The University of North Florida does not commit or permit discrimination or harassment on the basis of genetic information, race, color, religion, age, sex, disability, marital status, national origin, or veteran status in any educational, employment, social, recreational program or activity that it offers. In addition, UNF will not commit or permit retaliation against an individual who reports discrimination or harassment or an individual who cooperates in an investigation of an alleged violation of university regulation.

Carnegie

UNF is a Carnegie Community Engaged Institution. This designation celebrates the University’s collaboration with community partners from the local to the global level. It reflects UNF’s mission to contribute to the public good and prepare educated, engaged citizens.