Tenure Track Liaison Librarian at Western Michigan University

Western Michigan University is seeking two liaison librarians to fill full-time, benefits-eligible, tenure-track faculty positions in the WMU Libraries’ Instruction and Outreach Department. These are entry-level positions at the rank of Assistant Professor with a starting salary of $64,250. One position will serve the sciences, including Biological Sciences; Chemistry; Environmental and Sustainability Studies; Geography, Environment, and Tourism; Geological and Environmental Sciences; Physics; Mathematics; and Statistics. The other serves the humanities: English, Communication, Spanish, Philosophy, Gender & Women’s Studies, Comparative Religion, and World Languages & Literatures. Applicants should indicate which subject areas they’re interested.

Western Michigan University Libraries is committed to the University’s strategic direction on inclusive excellence and equity and actively works to promote a diverse and accessible University culture. WMU Libraries strongly encourages applications from candidates in underrepresented groups, multilingual candidates, and those with a passion for inclusion, accessibility, disability advocacy, and related themes.

In support of the Libraries commitment to career development, the incumbent will enjoy many opportunities to develop a professional record. Support will be provided for time to attend professional development activities, initiating scholarship, and developing service experience. These positions are open to early career professionals who meet the minimum qualifications, and applicants are encouraged to share in their application materials any number of ways they meet those qualifications, ranging from professional work experience to courses, assistantships, internships, projects, and volunteer activities.

Responsibilities:

· Planning, teaching, and assessing information literacy instruction sessions in the assigned liaison areas, using various instructional modalities (in-person, synchronous online, asynchronous online) as appropriate

· Consulting with classroom faculty on information-literacy related assignment design and content-related library collections

· Meeting with library users for individual reference consultations, which includes maintaining an open online calendar for scheduling consultations

· Providing online reference via email and LibChat

· Responding to inquiries about library instruction, reference, and collections

· Assisting students, faculty, and researchers in the assigned liaison areas with various search services, which may include participating in systematic and scoping reviews

· Participating in collections management activities, such as content-specific acquisitions recommendations and deselection projects

· Designing and updating LibGuides, online tutorials, and other online learning objects to support the curriculum in the assigned liaison areas

· Promoting library resources and services to the assigned liaison departments via multiple communication channels

· Participating in library engagement events and initiatives

· Supporting colleagues with high teaching loads as needed and as available

· Participating in faculty governance and other shared leadership opportunities

· Fulfilling responsibilities as a member of the University Libraries faculty in the areas of professional recognition (scholarship and other recognition), and professional service (service to the University, the Libraries, and professional library organizations)

Minimum Qualifications:

· A master’s degree from a graduate program accredited by the American Library Association (ALA) or international equivalent as identified by ALA, or a completed bachelor’s degree and verified enrollment in an MLIS program with an anticipated graduation date no later than August 30, 2022

· Demonstrated potential for achievement in library instruction and reference in a liaison librarian environment, including comfort in initiating new conversations, public speaking, and facilitating group activities

· Familiarity with common library instruction tools and resources, such as discovery tools, subject databases, LibGuides, teaching and learning systems (e.g., Blackboard or D2L), assessment software, and citation managers

· Strong interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills

· Commitment to incorporating diversity, inclusion, and equity principles into all aspects of professional work

Preferred Qualifications:

· Content knowledge in the natural sciences or humanities, such as coursework, lab assignments, or a research project assistantship

· Familiarity with scientific research methods or trends in humanities librarianship

· Prior work experience in an academic or public library, related to one or more of the responsibilities of this position

A master’s degree from a graduate program accredited by the American Library Association (ALA) or an international equivalent as identified by ALA is required. Applicants currently completing a master’s degree may be considered with proof that the degree is in progress and will be complete by August 30, 2022. Please visit https://wmich.edu/hr/jobs for further information regarding the position requirements and application procedures. Review of applications will begin June 2022 and continue until the position is filled. Only applications submitted through the WMU Jobs website will be considered.

The position is a fiscal year, tenure-track appointment and will be based on Western Michigan University’s main campus in Kalamazoo, MI. The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching has placed WMU among the 76 public institutions in the nation designated as research universities with high research activities.

Western Michigan University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action employer. Minorities, women, protected veterans, individuals with disabilities and all other qualified individuals are encouraged to apply.