University Librarian

Description

Title: University Librarian

Position Number: 0089175

Hiring Unit: Edwin H. Mookini Library

Location: UH Hilo

Date Posted: March 5, 2026

Closing Date: Continuous recruitment, application review begins April 3, 2026, and will continue until filled

Salary: $97,032 - $174,656; salary commensurate with qualifications and experience

Full Time/Part Time: Full-time

Temporary/Permanent: Permanent

Funding: General

Other Conditions: Appointment to begin approximately August 2026, pending position clearance and availability of funding.

INTRODUCTION:

The University of Hawaii at Hilo (UH Hilo) is a public liberal arts and sciences university on the Island of Hawaii, known for its unique blend of cultural immersion and research opportunities, leveraging the island’s extraordinary geological, biological, and cultural diversity. It is a comprehensive, regional university within the ten-campus University of Hawaii system, focusing primarily on high-quality baccalaureate and select postgraduate education, including distinctive programs in areas like marine science, geology, astronomy, and Hawaiian language revitalization.

This position is located within Academic Affairs and reports to the Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs. The University Librarian has operational, strategic, and fiscal responsibility for all aspects of the Edwin H. Mookini Library, which serves the students, faculty and staff of the University of Hawaii at Hilo (UH Hilo) and Hawaii Community College.

The Edwin H Mookini Library is located on the University of Hawaii at Hilo's campus. It reflects Hawaii's unique history, people, cultures, land and values and recognizes its responsibility to Hawaii and the Pacific region. The successful candidate should be interested in researching and learning about Indigenous cultures with specific reference to Hawaii and the Pacific region. The successful candidate should be willing to contribute and support the UH Hilo’s strategic plan.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Directs all operations of the Mookini Library with a focus on the library’s mission to advance student learning and information needs at UH Hilo and Hawai’i Community College.
In collaboration with library and learning centers’ leadership, leads the integration of operationally distinct but related library and academic success services to deliver high impact and research support to students.
In consultation with the library senate, establish plans and policies that cover such areas as services, collections, facilities, budgets, personnel, and technology.
Encourages innovation and continuous improvement and promotes the mission and strategic plan of the University and Library.
Develops plans and policies collaboratively with the library faculty and staff, the Library Senate, the Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, and campus constituents. When applicable, these must reflect Board of Regents, UH System, and campus plans and policies.
Provides administrative direction in the execution of the plans and policies, as well as assessment of progress towards the achievement of the Unit’s mission, plans, and associated goals and objectives.
Collects and analyzes statistical data to evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of the library and library services.
Prepares and justifies the library budget, including requests for additional funding that reflect changes to the Library’s and University’s academic and support programs and enrollment.
Develops an annual expenditure plan based on collection development goals, the assessment of equipment and other needs, and the student success goals established for the units under this assignment.
Administers the Library budget. Reviews and approves expenditures and regularly tracks and controls expenditures against the approved budget.
Allocate staff positions, programs and use of space within the library based on program goals and objectives and short-and long-term needs.
Prepares, justifies, and executes hiring plans.
Responsible for recruitment, hiring, evaluation, promotion, and faculty and staff development of Library personnel.
Reviews all library faculty for contract renewal, tenure and promotion, conducts performance appraisals for direct reports, and reviews and approves performance appraisals for other Library staff.
Oversees the hiring process for new and vacant positions, including the establishment of search committees and criteria for selection. Writes job descriptions and makes the final decision on hiring.
Serves as the Mookini Library’s chief spokesperson, articulating the mission and strategic goals of the library.
Develops and implements outreach strategies to promote library services to the campus community.
Serves on the Reference and/or Circulation desk in a public services librarian role during the regular academic semester in order to obtain first-hand knowledge of the needs and problems of student and faculty when using the library’s services and programs.
Takes part in collection developmental activities in order to stay current with trends in publishing and scholarly communication.
Serves on major campus and UH System committees on a regular basis. Represents the Mookini Library at appropriate UH Hilo and UH System meetings and events as well as to professional groups, outside organizations, and other interested persons as required.
Participates in and encourages appropriate consortia arrangements that benefit the University community.
Seeks external funding.
Maintains current knowledge of new developments and innovations in libraries, distance learning, and higher education generally. Recommends changes to the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs to maintain relevance of Library programs and services for students and the community.
May supervise and manage Academy of Creative Media requests, purchases, and reports and budget.
Performs other related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

Terminal degree in Library/Information Science.
Five (5) years substantial and progressively responsible administrative and managerial experience in an academic library.
Well-rounded knowledge of all aspects of library work, including current issues and trends affecting academic libraries and their parent institutions.
Sound grasp of current issues and trends in academic libraries and learning commons, including digital scholarship, information literacy, peer education, and/or supplemental instruction practices, and assessment of learning and services for continuous improvement.
Proven and successful leadership experience with a collaborative, responsive management style that fosters trust, respect, and effective relationships.
Proven and successful experience in planning, implementation, assessment, personnel management, and information technology.
Proven successful experience in budget management.
Effective service orientation reflected in a record of creative accomplishments in a library and/or academic support unit.
Proven ability to communicate effectively.
Proven ability to establish productive working relationships with campus and community constituents in a multi-cultural environment.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS:

Advanced degree in a closely related subject area (including, but not limited to, archival studies, library education, informatics, museum studies).
Sustained record of professional and scholarly activity to qualify for appointment at the level of Librarian with tenure.
Teaching experience in an institution of higher education.
Experience with distance education as either administrator or instructor.
Experience in a state-supported university system.
Knowledge of the missions, goals, and objectives of UH Hilo, Hawaii Community College, and the UH System.
Evidence of success in seeking external funding.

To Apply:

issued from an institution outside the United States of America require a course-by-course analysis with an equivalency statement from an agency having membership with the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services, Inc., verifying the degree equivalency to that of an accredited institution within the USA. Expense of the evaluation shall be borne by the applicant. All requested documents/information become the property of the University. All minimum qualifications must be met by the closing date. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Failure to submit all required documents and reference information shall deem an application to be incomplete.

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Inquiries: Donna Ohora, dohora@hawaii.edu

EEO, Clery Act, ADA

The University of Hawai'i is an Equal Opportunity Institution and is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination in employment, including on the basis of veteran and disability status. For more information, visit: https://www.hawaii.edu/offices/eeo/policies/

Employment is contingent on satisfying employment eligibility verification requirements of the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986; reference checks of previous employers; and for certain positions, criminal history record checks.

In accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, annual campus crime statistics for the University of Hawai'i may be viewed at: https://www.hawaii.edu/titleix/help/campus-security/, or a paper copy may be obtained upon request from the respective UH Campus Security or Administrative Services Office.

Accommodation Request: The University of Hawai'i complies with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the EEO coordinator directly. Determination on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. For further information, please refer to the following link: https://www.hawaii.edu/offices/eeo/accommodation-request/

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