Science Librarian
- Employer
- American University
- Location
- District of Columbia, United States
- Salary
- $70,000.00 - $73,000.00
- Posted Date
- Jun 9, 2022
View more
- Position Type
- Administrative, Academic Affairs, Librarians & Library Administration
- Employment Level
- Administrative
- Employment Type
- Full Time
American University Library invites applications from innovative, energetic, and service-oriented librarians to fill a continuing appointment faculty position supporting the Science Departments and Programs of the College of Arts and Sciences, beginning as soon as possible and subject to budgetary approval. Rank will be dependent upon experience and stature in the field at the assistant level.
Responsibilities: As the Research and Instruction
Librarian for Science (Science Librarian), the librarian will be
the point person for research assistance, information literacy
instruction and collection development in support of the curriculum
and faculty research in the science cluster (including Psychology)
of the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS), as well as
science-related research across campus. The Science Librarian will
work closely with the faculty and administration of the science
cluster of CAS to ensure that the University Library is able to
meet their research and pedagogical needs and to increase awareness
of library resources and services. In collection development, the
Science Librarian reviews and selects research materials to support
faculty and student research in the sciences and actively engages
with vendors. This position provides high-level subject specific
research assistance to CAS faculty and students in the sciences, as
well as basic research assistance to all students and faculty and
teaches subject specific instruction sessions and participates in
the baseline information literacy instruction for all students. The
Science Librarian creates appropriate online tools to support CAS
students and faculty and supports interdisciplinary initiatives
across academic units, for example research centers, that require
expertise in science librarianship. This position serves on library
cross-functional teams and participates in decisions that affect
the overall research materials collection. The Science Librarian
assists all relevant entities in self-studies and
reaccreditation.
The Science Librarian is a member of Research, Teaching and
Learning (RTL) and reports to the Associate Director of RTL. As a
member of RTL, the Science Librarian also participates in broader
initiatives as part of the library.
Library faculty members participate in university governance activities. The Science Librarian also consults regularly with CAS teaching faculty and administrators. The Science Librarian actively supports DEI initiatives within the University Library and within CAS. Continuing Appointment library faculty members are expected to contribute to the profession of librarianship, and to participate in campus-wide and library-wide activities.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities:
Provide Information Literacy
Instruction
•Support CAS by teaching integrated information literacy sessions
within Science disciplines including: Biology; Chemistry; Computer
Science; Environmental Science;Mathematics and Statistics;
Neuroscience; Physics; Psychology. Specific divisions or programs
served may change according to changes at the university.
•Support science labs by helping them incorporate an information
literacy focus.
• Work with CAS Faculty to develop instructional materials for
information literacy, e.g. tutorials, course LibGuides, and
rubrics.
• As the liaison to the CAS science cluster, work with appropriate
committees, administrators and faculty to incorporate information
literacy learning objectives and intervention appropriately into
the curriculum.
• Teach baseline information literacy skills to Writing Studies
classes.
• Participate in departmental information literacy initiatives as a
member of RTL, e.g. walk-in workshops, assessment and analysis
projects, and pedagogical explorations, other instruction as
needed.
Provide Research Support and Outreach Services to the
CAS Community:
• Partner with the CAS community to discover information resources
and data through consulting on research projects, providing
research assistance, facilitating access to online resources, and
finding science information resources through individual
consultations (in person and online) and through email.
• Support any student or faculty member, regardless of departmental
affiliation, with consultations concerning advanced subject
specific research requiring science information resources.
• Provide consultations on best practices and resources to
accomplish research activities.
• Work with appropriate stakeholders to develop new library
programs to best serve the research needs of science faculty and
students, such as services that support digital scholarship.
• Participate in department-wide services to serving the broader AU
community and public with basic research assistance.
• Participate in outreach programs in person and online. Provide
support and outreach to research centers.
Curate the Science Collection
• Purchase materials required to support the curriculum of the CAS
science cluster, the research of the faculty, and the long-term
research needs of the university as related to resources related to
the sciences.
• Appropriately de-select or cease subscriptions to science
information resources in relationship to the budget, the
curriculum, the research needs of the faculty, long-term
commitments to the regional and national intellectual record, and
trends in publishing.
• Serve on the library body that oversees the overall university
library collection, excepting special collections and archives.
Develop and Manage Web Based
Resources
• Develop and maintain web pages related to science information
resources and services on the LibGuides platform.
• Consult with stakeholders on any changes to the enterprise
systems that impact access to Science information resources.
Other Duties
• Potential supervisory responsibilities
• The Science Librarian may be asked to perform other duties as
operational needs arise.
Service to the Profession
• Participate in advancing the profession of Librarianship or the
academic field in the Sciences through original research, relevant
service to professional and scholarly societies, publications, or
impactful presentations in professional or scholarly venues.
Service to the University
• Participate in the shared governance of American University and
American University Library through active participation on
university and library committees and engagement in work that
meaningfully furthers the university and library outside of the
primary duties of the position.
Salary: Competitive salary commensurate with qualifications and
experience.
Position available: Beginning as soon as possible
QUALIFICATIONS:
• An ALA accredited M.L.S is required.
• Professional experience in an academic or research institution is
highly preferred.
• A degree in science or a related field is highly preferred.
• Deep knowledge of current and emerging ideas, practices, trends
and technologies that support science librarianship.
• Ability to understand, anticipate, and respond to priorities and
trends in the library, university and academia regarding science
librarianship.
• Must be able to work independently and collaboratively.
• Demonstrated research assistance experience or training is
required.
• Pedagogical experience or training is required.
• Collection development experience or instruction is
required.
• Evidence of potential for professional contributions and ongoing
professional development is essential.
• Evidence of potential for professional contributions and ongoing
professional development is essential.
• Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills; strong public
service ethic; and collaborative skills are essential.
Salary: Competitive salary commensurate with qualifications and
experience
Position available: Review of applications will begin immediately
and will continue until the position is filled.
ABOUT THE SCIENCE PROGRAMS IN THE COLLEGE OF ARTS AND
SCIENCES
American University offers 16 degree granting majors and two
certificates in STEM fields, including three doctoral programs
(Behavior, Cognition and Neuroscience; Neuroscience; Psychology):
https://www.american.edu/cas/sciences/
In addition to majors, the College of Arts and Sciences supports
the university’s Core Curriculum: https://www.american.edu/provost/undergrad/core/
ABOUT AMERICAN UNIVERSITY LIBRARY
The American University Library www.american.edu/library serves the
AU community through a collection of more than 1,700,000 print and
electronic book titles and 180,000 media and sound recordings.
Notable collections include a branch music library, a strong visual
media collection, special collections and university archives, a
K-12 curriculum materials center. AU Library has affiliate
collections at the Washington College of Law and at the Wesley
Theological Seminary. The AU Library collection totals over 184,000
journal subscriptions in all subjects. The Library has 16 library
faculty, 61 full-time staff and other professionals and about 116
student assistants. The library's budget is about $17 million. The
American University Library is an active member of the Washington
Research Library Consortium, and it holds membership in LOCKSS,
SPARC, the Patriot League Libraries Group and the University
Libraries Group.
American University Library is a Founding Member of the Diversity
Alliance for Academic Libraries.
DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION
American University values open and honest inquiry, servant
leadership, and the affirmation of the human dignity of all.
American University envisions a thriving community where
individuals of all identities and experiences are understood,
appreciated, and fully included, and where equitable treatment,
opportunities, and outcomes prevail.
AU’s plan for Inclusive Excellence, adopted in January 2018,
reflects the University’s commitment to diversity, equity, and
inclusion—the cornerstone for achieving institutional and
educational excellence.
To learn more about how AU is infusing diversity, equity, and
inclusion at a strategic, tactical, and operational level, please
visit:
https://www.american.edu/president/diversity/inclusive-excellence/index.cfm.
AU Library Diversity Statement
The AU Library is committed to diversity and inclusion by providing
an inclusive, welcoming, and adaptable environment for the
community. The Library recognizes that this is an ongoing process
and aims to engage in diversity and inclusion as more than just
numeric representation. The Library will continue to work on
intentionally diversifying its personnel, services, and collections
in meaningful ways.
This institution is using Interfolio’s ByCommittee to conduct this
search. Applicants to this position receive a free Dossier account
and can send all application materials, including confidential
letters of recommendation, free of charge.
For help in signing up, accessing your account, or submitting your
application please check out our help and support section or get in
touch via email at help@interfolio.com or phone
at (877) 997-8807.
Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until
the position is filled. Send a letter of application, resume,
names, addresses, and telephone numbers of three references
to:
Michele Mikkelsen, Director, Administrative Services
American University Library
4400 Massachusetts Ave., NW
Washington, D.C. 20016-8046
mmikkel@american.edu
American University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action
institution that operates in compliance with applicable laws and
regulations. The university does not discriminate on the basis of
race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy),
age, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, personal
appearance, gender identity and expression, family
responsibilities, political affiliation, source of income, veteran
status, an individual’s genetic information or any other bases
under federal or local laws (collectively “Protected Bases”) in its
programs and activities.
American University is a tobacco and smoke free campus. To ensure
the health and safety of our community, American University
requires that all faculty and staff are vaccinated for Covid-19. To
learn more about American University's health and safety directives
please click here.
Hiring offers for this position are contingent on the successful
completion of a background check.
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