Access Services Manager

Date Posted:

December 4, 2025

Location:

Dallas, TX

Hiring Institution:

Southern Methodist University

About the Department

Sothern Methodist University is a nationally ranked private research university located in Dallas, Texas, with eight degree-granting schools and a dynamic campus culture. SMU Libraries includes six libraries on the main campus and one in Taos, NM, with the Rees-Jones Library of the American West opening in 2027. Collaboration, innovation, and professional growth are central to SMU Libraries' mission, providing an engaging and supportive environment for library professionals.

Bridwell Library supports Perkins School of Theology and the study of religion, theology, and philosophy at SMU. Its collections, research services, and special collections make it a leading theological library in the United States. Bridwell Library also houses the Bridwell Library Special Collections and the Bridwell Art and Rare Book Library, which attract scholars and researchers worldwide.

About the Position

SMU Libraries seeks an innovative and service-oriented Access Services Manager to lead public service operations at the Bridwell Library. As part of the SMU Libraries Access Services Team, this position ensures consistent, user-centered services that support the research and resource needs of the SMU community. This role is an on-campus, in-person position.

The Access Services Manager provides leadership and oversight for circulation, stacks management, course reserves, and resource sharing operations. This position supervises full-time and student employees, manages daily workflows, and collaborates closely with colleagues across SMU Libraries to ensure seamless and equitable access to library materials and spaces. The position reports to the Director of Bridwell Library and works in partnership with SMU Libraries' Director of Access & Resource Sharing.

Essential Functions

• Supervision and Staff Development: Hire, train, supervise, and evaluate full-time staff and student employees. Provide mentoring and performance feedback, schedule coverage for service points, and promote a supportive, growth-oriented work culture.
• Service Delivery and Patron Support: Oversee front-line public services including circulation, reserves, stacks, and basic reference support. Ensure consistent, high-quality service delivery, uphold policies with professionalism, and resolve patron access issues.
• Administration and Operations: Monitor access services workflows and procedures. Manage desk statistics, usage reports, course reserves, resource sharing, and supply ordering. Ensure compliance with SMU Libraries' policies and procedures.
• Collaboration and Team Participation: Actively participate on the Access Services Team and other SMU Libraries committees. Collaborate with colleagues in different areas (including systems, resource sharing, and discovery) to improve communication and service quality.
• Location-Specific Responsibilities: Coordinate with Bridwell's reference, research, writing, and technical services staff to support seamless user experiences. Partner with SMU Libraries staff to improve access to digital and physical materials.

Qualifications
Education and Experience (Required Qualifications)

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent.
• Minimum of three years of experience in an academic library or equivalent setting.
• Demonstrated excellence in public service and user-centered library operations.
• Strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to lead and develop staff and manage multiple priorities effectively.

Education and Experience (Preferred Qualifications)

• Master's degree from an ALA-accredited program or equivalent.
• Experience with integrated library systems (e.g., Alma).
• Familiarity with access services in a theological or higher education context.
• Experience in service assessment and improvement initiatives.

Certification

• Alma certification required within one year of employment.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Candidate must demonstrate strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate broadly across the University and develop and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of constituencies. Must also demonstrate strong written communication skills.
• Candidate must possess strong problem-solving skills with the ability to identify and analyze problems, as well as devise solutions. Must also have strong organizational, planning, and time management skills.

Physical and Environmental Demands

• Sit for long periods of time

Deadline to Apply

Open until filled. Applications submitted here by January 8, 2026, will receive priority consideration. To be considered for this position, applicants are required to submit:

• A resume or CV

• A cover letter that addresses the education and experience required and preferred for this position

Salary Range

$62,000-$80,000, commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Benefits

SMU offers staff a broad, competitive array of benefits.

EEO Statement

SMU is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity and expression.

About SMU

SMU's more than 12,000 diverse, high-achieving students come from all 50 states and over 80 countries to take advantage of the University's small classes, meaningful research opportunities, leadership development, community service, international study, and innovative programs.

SMU serves approximately 7,000 undergraduates and 5,000 graduate students through eight degree-granting schools.

SMU is data driven, and its powerful supercomputing ecosystem–paired with entrepreneurial drive–creates an unrivaled environment for the University to deliver research excellence.

Now in its second century of achievement, SMU is recognized for the ways it supports students, faculty, and alumni as they become ethical, enterprising leaders in their professions and communities. SMU's relationship with Dallas–the dynamic center of one of the nation's fastest-growing regions–offers unique learning, research, social, and career opportunities that provide a launch pad for global impact.

SMU is nonsectarian in its teaching and committed to academic freedom and open inquiry.

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