Social Science Librarian

Vassar College

Social Science Librarian

Department: Main Library
Duration of Position: Full year / Full time
Work Schedule:
Employee Type: Administrator
Posting Date: 01/25/2022
Union Representation: Not Applicable
Posting Number: AS181P
Pay Rate:

About Vassar College
Located in the scenic Mid-Hudson Valley, Vassar College is a highly selective, residential, coeducational liberal arts college. Vassar is deeply committed to fostering a community that reflects the values of a liberal arts education and to promoting an environment of equality, diversity and inclusiveness. Vassar seeks to create a pluralistic community for all staff, faculty and students. Vassar College is an Affirmative Action, Equal Opportunity employer, and applications from women, individuals with disabilities and members of historically underrepresented groups are especially encouraged.  Vassar College is a smoke-free, tobacco-free campus. Note: Vassar College has a universal vaccination policy requiring a COVID-19 vaccination for all employees,  including a booster, except for those exempt for medical or religious reasons.

Position Summary and Responsibilities
Vassar College Libraries seeks an innovative and collaborative professional to join its Academic Engagement group as the Social Science Librarian. The ideal candidate for this position will have a passion for undergraduate liberal arts education, as well as fluency with a variety of social science disciplines and methodologies. As the liaison to social science departments and multidisciplinary programs, the Librarian will bring a learner-centered perspective to instruction and research support, and will take initiative in communicating and partnering with faculty and other campus colleagues. The position will provide cross-disciplinary support for teaching and research with data, statistics, and government information and participate in the Vassar College community as well as in the professional communities of libraries and archives. It is an exciting time to join Vassar College and the Libraries. Recent curricular developments include the launch of “Intensives,” courses that foster collaboration across academic departments and encourage innovative approaches to teaching and learning both inside and outside of the classroom. The College's Engaged Pluralism Initiative brings together students, faculty, staff, and administrators in support of building communities of belonging, inclusion, and equity on our campus. The Libraries' Academic Engagement department continues to evolve in our emphasis on teaching and learning and our collaborations in and beyond the classroom; the Social Science Librarian will play an essential role in envisioning and helping to shape the future of the department. Responsibilities:

• Serve as a liaison to academic departments and programs through research consultations, instruction in a variety of modes, collection development, and outreach and engagement efforts.
• Provide research support, instruction, and outreach related to government information resources and the library's Government Documents collection.
• Facilitate the acquisition and use of data and statistics within the social sciences, and work with colleagues to support the evolving use of data across disciplines.
• Provide point-of-need reference service to the Vassar community using a variety of modes, including email and chat.
• Individually and collaboratively, develop workshops, events, and other programming relevant to the Vassar community.
• Contribute to the Academic Engagement department's programs and services, and lead one or more of the department's initiatives on a revolving basis (e.g., overseeing student workers).
• Review, select, and acquire materials to support the Vassar curriculum and assist in negotiating contracts for large publisher packages.
• Participate in broader campus initiatives, including campus-wide committees, task forces, planning groups, pre-major advising, etc.
• Participate in professional development activities including attending library and subject area conferences, training workshops, etc.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in library or information science, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Ability and desire to build relationships and collaborate across multiple constituencies.
• Commitment to providing research support and instruction that respects individuals’ backgrounds, cultures, and learning preferences.
• Advanced skills in providing general reference service as well as discipline-specific research support.
• Academic background and/or subject expertise in one or more social science disciplines.
• Knowledge of current research and pedagogy in the social sciences and a vision of how the library can support these evolving needs.
• Experience with U.S. government information resources and/or the use of data/statistics in the social sciences and interdisciplinary research, or an interest in developing skills and knowledge in these areas.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and as a team member in a rapidly changing environment.
• Competence and sensitivity in working at a college in which students are broadly diverse with regard to many facets of identity, including but not limited to gender, ethnicity, nationality, sexual orientation, and religion.

Special Instructions to Applicants
To complete your on-line application, you will be required to attach your resume, cover letter, and contact information for 3 professional references. All attachments must be in PDF format. Review of applications will begin immediately. If you have any questions, please contact Human Resources, 845-437-5820.

For full consideration applicants should apply by:

All applicants must apply online at: https://employment.vassar.edu/postings/2412.

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