What are the responsibilities and job description for the Research , Instruction and Student Success Librarian position at University of South Carolina?
Posting Number
FAC00093PO26
Advertised Title
Research , Instruction and Student Success Librarian
Campus
Beaufort
College/Division
USC Beaufort College/Division Level
Department
BFT Libraries
Advertised Salary Range
Commensurate with education & experience
Location of Vacancy
Bluffton Campus
Part/Full Time
Full Time
Hours per Week
37.5
Position Category
Full-time Equivalent (FTE)
Basis
12 months
Work County
Beaufort
Tenure Information
Professional Track
Job Search Category
Faculty
About USC
About University of South Carolina
From the Upstate to the Lowcountry, the University of South Carolina system is transforming the lives of South Carolinians through the impact of our eight institutions and 20 locations throughout the state. More than 50,000 students are enrolled at one of eight institutions, including the research campus in Columbia and comprehensive four-year universities in Aiken, Upstate and Beaufort. In addition, our Palmetto College campuses in Salkehatchie, Union, Lancaster and Sumter enable students to earn associate or bachelor’s degrees through a combination of in-person, online or blended learning. All of our system institutions place strong emphasis on service — helping to build healthier, more educated communities in South Carolina and beyond.
Veterans' Preference Statement
The University of South Carolina is committed to equal opportunity and proudly values the skills and experience military veterans bring to our workforce. Across South Carolina, we are making veterans a priority for employment and recognize their vital contributions to our state and our communities.
Benefits for FTE Positions
The University of South Carolina (USC), through the State of SC and Public Employee Benefit Authority (PEBA), offers state employees a valuable benefits package, including health and life insurance, generous paid leave and retirement programs. To learn more about USC benefits, access the "Working at USC" section on the Applicant Portal at https://uscjobs.sc.edu.
Position Description
Advertised Job Summary
USCB Library is seeking a service-oriented, collegial research and instruction librarian. This position will collaborate with faculty in the creation of research and information literacy instruction, provide student and faculty consultations, and assist staff and community patrons with their research, assessment and instructional needs. The research and instruction librarian is responsible for creating, maintaining, and updating research guides, monitoring chat, answering research and instruction-related email, developing instructional materials, conducting outreach to market services, assisting with creating and hosting events, participating in delivering Makerspace activities and services, participating in collection development and maintenance, and collaborating with other USCB librarians in delivering and assessing service effectiveness. This position is also the coordinator for the library’s student success initiatives. This role is actively engaged in partnering with faculty, staff, and students to support student retention and progression. In addition, this position will coordinate the library’s engagement with Open Educational Resources (OER) as part of the library’s commitment to fostering student success .
The ideal candidate has a passion for working with students, interest in information literacy pedagogy and theory, comfort and curiosity for technology applications in libraries such as generative artificial intelligence, knowledge and engagement with OER, and familiarity and success with student success initiatives in academic libraries. This position is responsible for conducting targeted outreach activities that foster student success. These initiatives include partnering with campus entities such as the writing center, academic advising, tutoring services, and student affairs to create a holistic support network for at-risk students. In addition, this position will pursue curriculum integration and embedded support including leading faculty and student engagement with OER. This includes integrating library resources, tutorials, and research support into the Blackboard Learning Management System, designing and co-designing effective research assignments for in-person and online delivery, maintaining and expanding OER initiatives in the libraries, and fostering high-impact practices including specialized research consultations to support undergraduate research, capstone projects, and honors theses. This position is primarily located on the Bluffton Campus but will be expected to cover the Beaufort campus library when needed. The position is 37.5 hours a week. This position hours 10 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. M-F. Alternative hours, including evening and weekend hours, are on an as-needed basis.
The ideal candidate has a passion for working with students, interest in information literacy pedagogy and theory, comfort and curiosity for technology applications in libraries such as generative artificial intelligence, knowledge and engagement with OER, and familiarity and success with student success initiatives in academic libraries. This position is responsible for conducting targeted outreach activities that foster student success. These initiatives include partnering with campus entities such as the writing center, academic advising, tutoring services, and student affairs to create a holistic support network for at-risk students. In addition, this position will pursue curriculum integration and embedded support including leading faculty and student engagement with OER. This includes integrating library resources, tutorials, and research support into the Blackboard Learning Management System, designing and co-designing effective research assignments for in-person and online delivery, maintaining and expanding OER initiatives in the libraries, and fostering high-impact practices including specialized research consultations to support undergraduate research, capstone projects, and honors theses. This position is primarily located on the Bluffton Campus but will be expected to cover the Beaufort campus library when needed. The position is 37.5 hours a week. This position hours 10 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. M-F. Alternative hours, including evening and weekend hours, are on an as-needed basis.
Essential Duties
- Provides digital, and in-person research service and instruction for students, faculty, staff, and community users.
- Assists in managing the research and instruction requests for the libraries including instructing users in finding and evaluating appropriate print and electronic resources, answering research and other help desk questions using multiple communication methods including chat, email, Teams, and Blackboard.
- Coordinates the library’s student success initiatives. Manages the library’s assessment and evidence-based practice to measure the library’s impact on students’ success.
- Develops data-informed adjustments to the library’s data collection and analysis projects to ensure they measure the library’s impact on student success.
- Applies Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles to ensure the library’s digital instructional resources are accessible and inclusive.
- Mentors USCB students to provide peer research services and assist in designing and delivering student success initiatives and events in the USCB libraries and Makerspace.
- Designs and teaches library instruction sessions for classes in a variety of disciplines. Works closely with USCB instructional faculty to ensure that library instruction meets student needs and adheres to information literacy pedagogy standards.
- Creates and maintains LibGuides and other library resources in multiple formats (e.g., video).
- Creates library instruction tutorials and/or other digital learning objects for general research needs, specific programs, classes, or assignments.
- Creates, supports, and delivers library events that further university’s mission and goals.
- Creates library displays, library newsletters, and other library outreach materials as needed.
- Assists faculty with literature reviews and collection development needs.
- Evaluates and develops print and electronic collections for specific subjects.
- Participates in evaluating donations and weeding as needed.
- Occasionally provides coverage for circulation services including assisting patrons with circulation related transactions, handling fines, printing charges, item check-ins and check-outs, on weekdays, weekends, and evenings as needed.
- Responsible for closing the library when needed, including supervising support staff and assisting with opening or closing procedures.
- Provides coverage for the Beaufort campus library as needed.
- Provides supervision for student workers in the library as needed.
- Partners with faculty to discover, evaluate, and integrate high-quality OER and zero-cost library materials into their syllabi.
- Lead campus-wide awareness campaigns and workshops on textbook affordability, Creative Commons licensing, and OER platforms.
- Assist in redesigning course assignments to utilize open pedagogy, encouraging students to engage actively with course content.
- Track and report on student savings, adoption rates, and the impact of OER on course completion to demonstrate the library’s ROI to stakeholders.
Other Duties
- Trains and supervises support staff and student workers.
- Maintains statistics and reports on activities.
- Participates in professional service.
- Engages in professional development and scholarship activities.
- Other duties as assigned; these may include, but are not limited to, shelf-reading, participating in inventories, tagging books, etc.
Location
Works primarily on the Bluffton campus but also works at the Beaufort campus when needed.
Reports to
This position reports to the Director of Libraries.
Please be prepared to upload a cover letter, CV and a statement that reflects your philosophy of librarianship. As the search advances reference letters will also be required. Your references will be sent a link to upload their reference letter. Reference letters should be on official letterhead and signatures are required. Physical and digital signatures are acceptable, typed names will not be accepted.
Required Education and Experience
- ALA-accredited master’s degree in library and information science.
- Experience in an academic library.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with First-Year or Retention Programs including demonstrated experience partnering with campus student support services (e.g., First-Year Experience, writing centers, academic advising) to advance student retention and progression.
- Familiarity with Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles and a demonstrated commitment to creating accessible, inclusive digital learning objects and instructional materials.
- Experience supervising, training, and mentoring library assistants, student workers, or peer educators to support their academic and professional development.
- Supervising or mentoring student employees or peer educators to support their academic and professional development.
- Proven ability to collaborate with teaching faculty to embed information literacy directly into assignments and learning management systems (e.g., Blackboard).
- Recent library instruction or teaching experience, ideally at the college level.
- Recent experience providing reference services in an academic library.
- Working familiarity with Blackboard, LibGuides, and digital repositories.
- Experience creating and evaluating information literacy instruction.
- Familiarity with the ACRL Framework for Information Literacy for Higher Education.
- Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively.
- Knowledge of generative artificial intelligence applications in libraries.
Posting Detail Information
Desired Start Date
09/14/2026
Job Open Date
08/21/2026
Job Close Date
Open Until Filled
Yes
Special Instructions to Applicant
Positions are advertised for a minimum of five (5) business days on our job website. After five (5) business days, positions can be closed at the discretion of the department at any time. This employment site is updated on a regular basis. The length of the recruitment and screening process may vary from position to position, depending upon a variety of factors. Should review of your qualifications result in a decision to pursue your candidacy, you will be contacted by phone or email.
Quicklink for Posting
https://uscjobs.sc.edu/postings/212057
EEO Statement
The University of South Carolina does not discriminate in employment opportunities or decisions for qualified persons on the basis of age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender, gender identity or expression, genetic information, military status, national origin, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other protected category under applicable law.
Benefits:
Health Insurance, Vacation & Paid Time Off, Sick LeaveSalary : $42,707 - $63,579