Reference Librarian, Library

About Lipscomb University

Lipscomb University is a private Christian university located in the Green Hills neighborhood of Nashville, Tennessee. It is affiliated with the Churches of Christ and committed to preparing learners for purposeful lives through rigorous academics and transformative experiences.

About the Department

Lipscomb's Beaman Library is a member of the Learning Commons composed of key departments providing essential academic services to students (Library, Coggin Family Academic Success Center, Center for Teaching and Learning, Career Development Center, and the Office of Accessibility and Learning Supports). Together we seamlessly support students' academic success.

Work Environment

This Librarian will join an energetic, scrappy, creative team that values cultivating students' curiosity and fostering a learning environment where students and faculty are inspired to create. Beaman Library fosters a collaborative and innovative environment where team members work both independently and collegially. The successful candidate will be a proactive and engaged member of the Learning Commons, contributing to a positive and supportive workplace that embraces new technologies and continuously improves library resources and services. We value bold idea-sharing, constructive feedback, and creative problem-solving.

Position Description

This full-time faculty-status position requires 40 hours of work each week, including some evening and weekend availability. The Reference Librarian provides comprehensive reference and research assistance, information literacy instruction, collection development support, and student worker supervision to support the academic success of students and faculty. This position reports to the Senior Director of Library Services.

Required Qualifications

• MLIS or equivalent from an ALA-accredited library program
• Ability to work both independently and collegially in a changing environment
• Excellent organizational, technological, interpersonal, and communication skills
• Ability to provide library reference services and assistance to a wide variety of faculty and students in multiple formats
• Demonstrated sound judgment and emotional intelligence
• Ability to work well with others, receive critical feedback, and boldly share ideas to enrich the library's initiatives
• An appreciation for and active commitment to the university's Christian mission and a desire to contribute to that mission

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of the scholarly publishing environment and its current trends
• Experience teaching or providing library instruction in face-to-face and/or virtual settings
• Background in outreach and/or programming
• Prior experience overseeing student workers
• Working knowledge of new and emerging technologies, including AI
• Experience managing forms, emails, and administrative systems
• Familiarity with serving on university committees

Primary Responsibilities:

Liaison & Teaching 

• Serve as liaison to assigned academic departments, building relationships with faculty and students 
• Work with teaching faculty in liaison areas to develop department- and course-specific information literacy objectives
• Establish and maintain communication with assigned departments regarding library resources and services
• Plan, prepare, and conduct information literacy instruction in face-to-face and virtual settings for undergraduate students, graduate students, and students pursuing university certifications for assigned liaison departments
• Teach freshman orientation courses as assigned
• Create, update, and maintain teaching materials for information literacy instruction at various levels
• Conduct in-depth research consultations for assigned liaison departments, both by appointment and walk-in
• Advise Collection Development and Systems librarians on acquisitions and collection development decisions based on liaison knowledge

Reference & Research Services 

• Serve as primary contact for the reference email and manage delegating teaching requests submitted via reference form. 
• Answer ready reference questions (directional, basic information requests, book availability, etc.) and identify research questions requiring referrals
• Assist patrons in locating and accessing information, both digitally and physically
• Assist patrons in using library services (printers, databases, etc.)
• Conduct research consultations both by appointment and walk-ins for students and faculty
• Serve as backup for interlibrary loan email and system
• Provide vision for the maintenance of the reference collection and storage
• Participate in weeding projects as needed

Student Worker Program Leadership 

• Work closely with Circulation Department to provide vision and leadership for the student worker program including:
  • Manage job posting and coordinate with HR on the hiring process
  • Create training materials and lead group trainings, including reference desk training
  • Create evaluation materials and conduct student worker evaluations
• Oversee student workers, including shift scheduling, communication, shift coverage, and special scheduling needs

Service to the Department & University

• Contribute to the development of original programming, concierge services, strategic outreach/partnerships, and assessment
• Represent the library on university committees and task forces as assigned
• Commitment to ongoing professional development and continuous improvement in librarianship, including active participation in professional organizations, attendance at relevant conferences and workshops, and engagement with current trends in information literacy instruction and library services
• Perform additional services as requested by the Senior Director of Library Services