Head of Library Services

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An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the Library Department at Glasgow Caledonian University.

Glasgow Caledonian – the largest and leading modern university in Scotland - is a vibrant, values-led university with campuses in the heart of Glasgow and London. With a strong commitment to high quality education and research which supports the communities we serve, we have strong partnerships with employers to ensure our students get the careers they dream of and deserve.

In 2023 we rocketed into the top 40 universities in the UK in the highly regarded Guardian University Guide, were ranked the UK’s 2nd top performing modern university in the inaugural Daily Mail guide, and entered the top highly coveted 50 UK universities in the 2024 Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide for the first time. We are the top performing modern University in Scotland in all three guides. We are the only Scottish university with EcoCampus Platinum accreditation and were ranked second in Scotland for sustainability in the most recent People and Planet league table.

With a wide range of professionally accredited courses and links with over 300 industry partners, we have the highest proportion of undergraduate level graduates in highly skilled occupations (83%) compared to other Scottish modern universities - with 91% of our students in employment or further study within fifteen months of graduating (HESA 2023). We are Scotland’s leading provider of Graduate Apprenticeships and we have transnational partnerships around the world, supporting more than 22,000 students from nearly 120 countries.  We are committed to widening participation, helping more people from diverse backgrounds into university.

Guided by our values – integrity, responsibility, creativity and confidence - we transform the lives of the people and communities we serve.

Our award-winning library - the Sir Alex Ferguson Library, gives access to more than 270,000 books, 350 open-access PCs and a huge range of online resources including databases, ebooks, journals and more.  The library offers a variety of study spaces for students and is also open to members of the public and anyone can use our space freely.  The Library has a variety of different bookable spaces from group study pods and rooms to individual study desks.  The Sir Alex Ferguson Library is also home to the Archives and Special Collections which hold rare and unique items from Glasgow Caledonian's past together with other collections of national importance.  The Library is also committed to positively contributing to health and wellbeing through the Relax and Renew wellbeing space which aims to enrich the wellbeing of all our users, by providing a relaxing, contemplative space where you can take a break from your academic studies or your work day.

 

Reporting to the Pro Vice-Chancellor Education and working within a team of Senior Librarians, Archivist and Library Administrators, the Head of Library Services will provide the strategic and operational leadership for Library Services, setting out clear planning and delivery targets and developing the Department’s annual strategic plan, to ensure that Library Services meets the strategic needs of the University.  The successful candidate will ensure effective, efficient operational delivery and will lead on the implementation of processes to ensure that the service provision within Library Services can be measured against internal and external metrics.  As the Head of Library Services, you will lead the planning and budgeting process for the service and contribute fully to planning across the Directorate, supporting the delivery of the University’s strategic objectives.  The role holder will have a degree and/or post graduate or professional qualification in a relevant subject plus have significant relevant management and leadership experience in leading high-quality Library Services across a large organisation.  The successful candidate will proactively update their own knowledge of relevant specialised issues and legal and regulatory requirements.

For further details on this post please contact Professor Louise Dixon, Pro Vice-Chancellor Education on Louise.Dixon@gcu.ac.uk.

As the University for the Common Good, we are committed to embedding equality, diversity and inclusion, as well as our values in everything that we do.  As such, we welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates who demonstrate the GCU Values.

Glasgow Caledonian University is committed to a fair and transparent recruitment process that is free from bias so that we can attract and retain a high performing workforce which makes a critical contribution to our success​.

The University holds the prestigious Athena SWAN Silver institution award, which recognises our significant record of activity and achievement in promoting gender equality across different disciplines.

As a Disability Confident 'Committed' employer, we are striving to ensure that our recruitment process is inclusive and accessible to disabled people. Although the Disability Confident 'Committed' level does not guarantee an interview for disabled applicants, we will make reasonable adjustments for disabled applicants during the recruitment process.

The University also holds the Carer Positive ‘Engaged’ employer award, which recognises our commitment to supporting staff with caring responsibilities.

Glasgow Caledonian University are committed signatories to the Armed Forces Covenant. 

The University offers a range of benefits including opportunities for professional development, family friendly policies, cycle to work scheme and onsite childcare facilities.

Please note that the appointment will be made on the first point of the salary scale (unless by exception).