Research and Instruction Librarian

JOB SUMMARY

The Research and Instruction Librarian promotes and supports learning with particular focus on the undergraduate day programs at Columbia College, including first-year student programming. The position provides leadership for developing the research and information literacy capabilities of the Columbia College community. The Research and Instruction Librarian collaborates with faculty and staff to develop programming that cultivates a culture of learning among students, faculty, and staff.

The position reports to the Dean of Library, Learning & Student Success while working collaboratively with other members of the Library and Learning Commons faculty and staff. This is a full-time (i.e. twelve-month), faculty position. Participation in evening and weekend shifts may be required, as needed.

This position is a twelve-month full-time faculty appointment. The candidate must demonstrate the ability to design and deliver instruction in a variety of formats and is expected to provide instruction and support to undergraduate day programs, including targeted support of first-year students in courses such as English 101 and 102, LA 100 and 110, etc.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

Primary Responsibilities:

• Monitors and maintains a comprehensive plan for information literacy (imagined broadly, to include media and digital literacy and misinformation/disinformation/bias/etc.) with learning outcomes and assessment in alignment with the ACRL framework for information literacy.
• Collaborate with faculty and staff to develop activities and assignments that involve students in inquiry that supports the mission of the college, information literacy, media and digital literacy, and ethical use of information, with commensurate support for in-person and online learners.
• Provide course-based information literacy support through instructional sessions, scaffolded involvement, embedded support, or otherwise.

• Provides leadership for collaborative management and development of SpringShare LibGuides and other resources.
• Develops workshops, skillshops, drop-in sessions, or other in-person and virtual events that engage students and faculty broadly in research and information literacy.
• Collaborates with other Learning Commons faculty and staff ensure robust training for student employees to provide peer-to-peer mentoring in research and information literacy.
• Provides leadership for and participates in the effective delivery of research support in all modes, such as via chat, virtual appointments, etc.
• Participates in and supports a consistent approach for documenting research and information literacy support and engagement in related programming for assessment purposes.
• Assumes responsibility for the library and its programming, including supervising student assistants.
• Participates in the collection development of resources for the Reference and General Collections.

Additional Responsibilities:

• Serves on campus committees and task forces as assigned
• Engages in service to the profession
• Engages in professional development through various means, such as:
  • Attending and presenting at local, state and/or regional conferences, workshops, webinars, etc. as budget permits
  • Staying current on professional literature and webinars
  • Conducting research for program development and presenting results.
• Participates in community life and activities of Columbia College.

Performs other duties as assigned, within the general scope of the position description.

Qualifications

• Master’s Degree from an American Library Association (ALA) accredited master’s program (MLS/MLIS).
• 1-3 years of experience in a similar role, preferably in higher education.
• Knowledge of current practices and pedagogy for information literacy.
• Enthusiasm for the learning culture of liberal arts institutions and for the mission of Columbia College.
• Demonstrated experience providing collaborative leadership.
• Demonstrated experience using best pedagogical practices for active learning preferred.
• Evidence of effective organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Competence with business math and written and verbal communication suitable in a business or professional setting
• Skill in the use of Microsoft Office Suite, utilizing Outlook, Word, Excel and Microsoft Teams, or related software.

Candidates must have an earned MLIS/MLS by the time of their appointment. All required documents must be completed for the application to be reviewed. Columbia College is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.

Applications

To apply, a candidate must submit the following materials through the online submission portal (all in one pdf file except for the cover letter, which may be uploaded as a separate document):

• A cover letter describing teaching interests/experiences
• An up-to-date curriculum vitae
• A teaching statement that includes teaching philosophy and methodology
• A statement regarding research and other scholarly endeavors
• Names and contact information for three references, and
• Copies of graduate transcripts. Unofficial copies of transcripts will suffice for the initial application stage.

Review of completed applications will begin February 23 and continue until the position is filled.

Inquiries may be directed to the Vice Provost and Acting Dean of Library, Learning & Student Success, Dr. Brennan Davis, at bdavis@columbiasc.edu.

EOE M/F/D/V