Assistant Director, Fisher Fine Arts Library

Assistant Director, Fisher Fine Arts Library

University Overview

The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn's distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America's Best Employers By State in 2021.

Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play.

The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources, and much more.

COVID-19 vaccination is a requirement for all positions at the University of Pennsylvania. New hires are expected to be fully vaccinated before beginning work at the University. For more information about Penn's vaccine requirements and the use of Penn Open Pass, visit the Penn COVID-19 Response website for the latest information.

Posted Job Title
Assistant Director, Fisher Fine Arts Library

Job Profile Title
Librarian C

Job Description Summary
Reporting to the Director, the Assistant Director oversees aspects of research, teaching, and learning services in the Fisher Fine Arts Library. Responsibilities include development and implementation of library programs and collections, all in service to the Stuart Weitzman School of Design, the Department of the History of Art, and, more broadly, the School of Arts and Sciences. The position also manages the Access Services team, a group of four full-time bargaining unit staff covering areas of day-to-day operations such as circulation, course reserves, and stacks maintenance. Active in outreach, the Assistant Director liaises with faculty to develop programs for incoming students as well as support the research needs of visiting scholars. In conjunction with Director, this position engages in collection analysis and troubleshooting of the integrated library system as well as supporting acquisition through assignment of an appropriate area within Fisher's larger collections scope. The Assistant Director works in collaboration with colleagues at the Museum and Music Library and takes part in Academic Engagement initiatives including support for scholarly publishing. This position participates in assessment related to ongoing evaluation and improvement of existing access and research services in Fisher and participates in Libraries-wide task forces and committees as well as appropriate professional associations.

Job Description

Duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to:
  • Oversees and assesses research, instruction, and outreach programs for the Fisher Fine Arts Library.
  • Manages specific library funds for the development of the print and electronic collections.
  • Participates in long-range planning for the Fisher Fine Arts Library.
  • Supervises 4 FTE support staff including staff training/development.
  • Participates in collection analysis and development activities through library enterprise and vendor systems.
  • In coordination with director, manages library facility and participates in space planning assessment.
  • Participates in Fisher exhibition programming.
  • Participates in the general maintenance of the Fisher & Material Libraries' websites.
  • Participates in Libraries-wide initiatives including online chat and ticket response and participating in the Critical Writing Program.
  • Other duties as assigned.


Required Qualifications:
  • ALA-accredited master's degree in library science or equivalent combination of education and professional experience, plus a background in an arts, architecture, or design discipline.
  • Experience in the arts, art history, architecture, and school of design is highly preferred.
  • 3 or more years of professional academic library experience, preferably in a supervisory capacity.
  • 1-3 years of reference and instruction experience.
  • Experience working with art and architecture collections, students, and faculty.
  • Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
  • Ability to work collaboratively and across disciplines.


Preferred Qualifications:
  • Experience working with archival and special collections.
  • Demonstrated understanding of and experience working with Copyright, especially with regard to image permissions.
  • Proficiency with the ALMA library enterprise system.
  • Demonstrated experience with technology and digital projects.
  • Proficiency with new technology in an educational or library setting.
  • Experience in event programming and/or project management.
  • Proficiency in one or more non-English languages.


Application Requirement:
A Cover Letter and Resume/CV are required to be considered for this position. Please upload your Cover Letter where it asks you to upload your Resume/CV; multiple documents are allowed.

Budgeted Pay Range:
$70,000 - $80,000 commensurate with education and experience.

Job Location - City, State
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School
University Library

Pay Range
$51,824.00 - $78,096.00
Salary offers are made based on the candidate's qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, as well as internal and market factors and grade profile.

Affirmative Action Statement
Penn adheres to a policy that prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected class.

Special Requirements
Background check required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.

University Benefits
  • Health, Life, and Flexible Spending Accounts: Penn offers comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits to protect you and your family's health and welfare. You can also use flexible spending accounts to pay for eligible health care and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars.
  • Tuition: Take advantage of Penn's exceptional tuition benefits. You, your spouse, and your dependent children can get tuition assistance here at Penn. Your dependent children are also eligible for tuition assistance at other institutions.
  • Retirement: Penn offers generous retirement plans to help you save for your future. Penn's Basic, Matching, and Supplemental retirement plans allow you to save for retirement on a pre-tax or Roth basis. Choose from a wide variety of investment options through TIAA and Vanguard.
  • Time Away from Work: Penn provides you with a substantial amount of time away from work during the course of the year. This allows you to relax, take vacations, attend to personal affairs, recover from illness or injury, spend time with family-whatever your personal needs may be.
  • Long-Term Care Insurance: In partnership with Genworth Financial, Penn offers faculty and staff (and your eligible family members) long-term care insurance to help you cover some of the costs of long-term care services received at home, in the community or in a nursing facility. If you apply when you're newly hired, you won't have to provide proof of good health or be subject to underwriting requirements. Eligible family members must always provide proof of good health and are subject to underwriting.
  • Wellness and Work-life Resources: Penn is committed to supporting our faculty and staff as they balance the competing demands of work and personal life. That's why we offer a wide variety of programs and resources to help you care for your health, your family, and your work-life balance.
  • Professional and Personal Development: Penn provides an array of resources to help you advance yourself personally and professionally.
  • University Resources: As a member of the Penn community, you have access to a wide range of University resources as well as cultural and recreational activities. Take advantage of the University's libraries and athletic facilities, or visit our arboretum and art galleries. There's always something going on at Penn, whether it's a new exhibit at the Penn Museum, the latest music or theater presentation at the Annenberg Center, or the Penn Relays at Franklin Field to name just a few examples. As a member of the Penn community, you're right in the middle of the excitement-and you and your family can enjoy many of these activities for free.
  • Discounts and Special Services: From arts and entertainment to transportation and mortgages, you'll find great deals for University faculty and staff. Not only do Penn arts and cultural centers and museums offer free and discounted admission and memberships to faculty and staff. You can also enjoy substantial savings on other goods and services such as new cars from Ford and General Motors, cellular phone service plans, movie tickets, and admission to theme parks.
  • Flexible Work Hours: Flexible work options offer creative approaches for completing work while promoting balance between work and personal commitments. These approaches involve use of non-traditional work hours, locations, and/or job structures.
  • Penn Home Ownership Services: Penn offers a forgivable loan for eligible employees interested in buying a home or currently residing in West Philadelphia, which can be used for closing costs or home improvements.
  • Adoption Assistance: Penn will reimburse eligible employees on qualified expenses in connection with the legal adoption of an eligible child, such as travel or court fees, for up to two adoptions in your household.



To learn more, please visit: https://www.hr.upenn.edu/PennHR/benefits-pay

To apply, visit https://wd1.myworkdaysite.com/en-US/recruiting/upenn/careers-at-penn/job/Van-Pelt-Library/Assistant-Director--Fisher-Fine-Arts-Library_JR00058269

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