Humanities & Interdisciplinary Studies Librarian

Wesleyan University, founded in 1831, is a diverse, energetic liberal arts community where critical thinking and practical idealism go hand in hand.

Position Details
Located in Middletown, Connecticut, Wesleyan University is one of the nation’s premier liberal arts colleges with 3,000 undergraduates and 200 graduates. Established in 1831, Wesleyan is known for its rich, open, and interdisciplinary curriculum. Wesleyan has a long-standing commitment to creating a dynamically diverse campus comprised of students from all racial, ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds.

Within this intellectually stimulating environment, the Wesleyan University Libraries play an important role. The circulating collections support advanced study across the curriculum, while our rich and varied unique collections provide opportunities for both innovative research and creative inspiration. We provide a home away from home for many, offering spaces for quiet reflection, group work, and arenas for meetings and performances.

Reporting to the Associate University Librarian for Academic Services, the Humanities & Interdisciplinary Studies Librarian works in collaboration with departmental colleagues torealize the library’s liaison and user experience programs.

As liaison to the humanities and interdisciplinary studies programs, this position actively communicates and builds relationships with faculty and students in language & literature departments; American Studies; Feminist, Gender, and Sexuality Studies; as well as the Center for the Humanities and College of Letters.

This position works closely with the social sciences liaisons. Together they are responsible for outreach, engagement, and user experience. Their efforts help students and faculty discover, understand, and contribute to the voices included (and excluded) from the record of knowledge. They inform the curation of exceptional collections. They also initiate and participate in efforts that create a positive student experience.

Responsibilities include:

• Design, provide, and assess multimodal instruction on the use and understanding of humanities and interdisciplinary resources, concepts, and tools across the curriculum.
• Promote and provide reference and in-depth research support.
• Develop creative pathways to ensure that users are aware of library services, collections, and initiatives, including broader developments in scholarly communication and digital initiatives.
• Build relationships with campus partners and students in order to design, provide, and assess outreach and engagement programs that help all students.
• Ensure that all students are aware of and have a sense of agency and belonging with regards to services, collections, and spaces.
• Support the evolution and growth of analog and digital collections to meet the needs of faculty and students, and represent the diversity of contributors in the field.
• Build relationships with members of the Wesleyan community and beyond to share information and develop complementary or interconnected services that relate to the Library and/or support the overall success of the entire Wesleyan community.
• Engage in professional development to maintain current knowledge of trends and changes in academic public services and scholarship.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications
Masters degree in Library/Information Science, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience

In-depth knowledge of humanities fields, especially literature and literary criticism

Experience (professional or graduate student experience will be considered) in providing library research support
Knowledge of information resources used in the study of the humanities

Knowledge and understanding of how trends in scholarly publishing and academia are impacting library services, collections, and physical spaces

Excellent interpersonal skills

Effective communications skills with the ability to present publicly

Proven ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team-based environment

Demonstrated commitment to work within a diverse environment and interact collegially with individuals of different backgrounds

Strong user-service orientation and desire to work with constituents in an academic environment

Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends
Preferred Qualifications
Terminal degree in the humanities or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience

Experience providing humanities research support in an academic or special library, or research program

Experience providing engagement and outreach services specifically for underserved populations

Experience in developing collaborative outreach programming in person and/or online channels

Working knowledge or fluency in a foreign language(s)

Knowledge of information resources used in the study of the social sciences

Experience providing group instruction
Special Instructions to Applicants
Application close date is June 05, 2022
Additional Information
Any and all offers to external applicants are contingent on the candidate’s completion of a pre-employment background check screening to the satisfaction of Wesleyan University.

Wesleyan requires all employees to be vaccinated against Covid 19 unless they meet the criteria for a medical or religious exemption. New employees must be vaccinated prior to their start date. If an employee needs an exemption for medical or religious reasons, they must submit a request to Wesleyan and be approved before their start date.

Wesleyan University, located in Middletown, Connecticut, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, age, gender, gender identity or expression, national origin, marital status, ancestry, present or past history of mental disorder, learning disability or physical disability, political belief, veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information or non-position-related criminal record. We welcome applications from women and historically underrepresented minority groups. Inquiries regarding Title IX, Section 504, or any other non-discrimination policies should be directed to: Alison Williams, Vice President for Equity & Inclusion/ Title IX Officer, 860-685-3927, awilliams@wesleyan.edu.