Research Director of the Center for Children’s Books at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Research Director of the Center for Children’s Books
School of Information Sciences
https://jobs.illinois.edu/faculty-positions/job-details?jobID=103778&job=school-of-information-sciences-research-director-of-the-center-for-children-s-books-103778

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, School of Information Sciences, invites nominations and applications for the position of Research Director of the Center for Children’s Books. The School of Information Sciences at Illinois is an international leader in graduate education, and is home to world-class faculty, top-tier research, and a Master of Science in Library and Information Science program that is consistently ranked highly by U.S. News & World Report. Its mission is to lead the way in understanding the use of information in science, culture, society, commerce, and the diverse activities of our daily lives—and in doing so, change the world.

The University of Illinois is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action employer. Minorities, women, veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. For more information, visit http://go.illinois.edu/EEO. To learn more about the University’s commitment to diversity, please visit http://www.inclusiveillinois.illinois.edu.

The Center for Children’s Books (CCB) at the School of Information Sciences supports critical inquiry, professional training, and educational outreach related to youth-focused literature, resources, and librarianship. The Center’s mission is to facilitate the creation and dissemination of exemplary and progressive research and scholarship related to all aspects of children’s and young adult literature; media and resources for young (age 0-18) audiences; youth experience and information use; and youth services librarianship. Formed in 1945 along with its affiliate unit, the journal The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books, the Center has established an important role in the iSchool as the leader and supporter of youth-focused research, the host of scholar- and practitioner-focused events, and the home of a 16,000-volume special collection of youth literature.

The CCB seeks a Director with broad intellectual insights, top-tier scholarly credentials and accomplishments, and the leadership and managerial capacity to actualize a bold vision for its future. Reporting to the Associate Dean for Research, and in coordination with the faculty, the School Librarian Program coordinator, and the Editor of the Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books, the Director will have responsibility for the strategic, programmatic, financial, fundraising, and management operations that support the mission and vision of the CCB and its role within the School of Information Sciences. Outstanding candidates will demonstrate strong commitment and experience in the education of youth and those who work with youth.

Candidates should hold a PhD in library and information science, children’s literature, or a related discipline, and have a distinguished record of teaching, research, and service that would warrant a tenured appointment at the rank of associate professor or full professor in the School.

The Director will:

• Define and execute a strategic vision for the future by articulating the distinctive needs and opportunities of the CCB;
• Attract external funding from federal agencies, corporations, foundations, and interested donors to support the Center’s mission and develop relevant partnerships; and,
• Identify and realize emerging opportunities for new research, programs, and multidisciplinary initiatives that leverage the excellence of the Center and the breadth and strength of the School’s interdisciplinary culture.

The next Director is expected to bring:

• The intellectual leadership and curiosity to direct a robust research program;
• An appreciation of the Center’s history and its potential for the future;
• An understanding of the connections between youth-focused research and professional practice;
• An approach that sees youth as agents and creators in their own right and partners in research;
• A boundary-crossing approach to youth experience that spans various disciplines, print and digital media, and physical and virtual spaces;
• Outstanding communication skills and strong interpersonal skills;
• A demonstrated commitment to diversity and inclusion;
• A record of successful grant writing and/or fundraising;
• An international-level reputation for scholarship and presentations in the field; and
• Excellence in teaching.

Experience with the following is preferred:

• Management of grant-funded projects;
• Professional work with youth as a researcher and/or a practitioner;
• Knowledge of and appreciation for diverse, historical, and contemporary children’s literature;
• Work with diverse communities;
• Supervision of student and professional staff.

This is a full-time, 9-month appointment starting in the fall of 2019; salary will be commensurate with experience.

The iSchool’s academic programs include the top-ranked Master of Science in Library and Information Science and one of the fastest growing programs at the University, the Master of Science in Information Management. In addition, the School offers a Doctor of Philosophy in Library and Information Science, the oldest program of its kind in the nation, an MS in Bioinformatics, a Certificate of Advanced Study, a Certificate of Advanced Study in Digital Libraries, and School Librarian Licensure Program. Plans for an undergraduate degree in information sciences are underway.

As a longstanding innovator in online education, the iSchool offers many programs for students who study from a distance. The total enrollment consists of more than 690 master’s students and nearly 50 doctoral students—including 195 international students—who learn with enthusiasm and contribute to the dynamic intellectual life of the School.

For more information, please visit http://ischool.illinois.edu/.

The university strongly encourages applications from individuals traditionally underrepresented in academia. Review of applications will continue until the position is filled. For full consideration, applications should be received by November 2, 2018. Candidates should provide a curriculum vitae, a letter of interest that addresses the candidate’s vision for the CCB, as well as the applicant’s motivation to apply, and a list of three professional references, including contact information. All requested information must be submitted for your application to be considered.

Interviews may be conducted before the closing date, although no hiring decisions will be made until after the search has closed. For further information regarding application procedures, you may contact Candy Edwards at cledward@illinois.edu.