Assistant Professor in University Libraries- Head, Library Instruction & Liaison Services

Position Title:

Assistant Professor in University Libraries- Head, Library Instruction & Liaison Services

Location: University of Oklahoma, Norman campus

Department: University Libraries

Position Type: Faculty

Qualifications:

Required Education

• Master's degree in Library and Information Science from an ALA-accredited program or a terminal degree in a relevant discipline (e.g., doctorate).

Required Skills & Proficiencies

• Three or more years of professional experience working in an academic library setting.
• Demonstrated commitment to service excellence.
• Demonstrated ability to establish and sustain positive working relationships with employees at all levels of the organization within the library and university.

Preferred Skills & Proficiencies

• Experience supervising librarians and library staff.
• Graduate-level coursework or degree in an academic discipline beyond library and information studies.
• Strong organizational, project, and time management skills to lead and/or coordinate multiple projects.
• Experience in providing instruction to undergraduates in face-to-face and online environments, with an emphasis on teaching students about library resources and services, information, and data literacy in one-on-one and in group settings.
• Demonstrated knowledge of trends in library instruction and instructional technology concepts, trends, pedagogies, and assessment.
• Experience developing online subject guides to library resources and/or web content for library users.
• Understanding of the academic library's role in teaching, learning, and research and knowledge of current and emerging trends in higher education, undergraduate education, academic librarianship, scholarly communication, library services, and undergraduate services.
• Ability to perform detail-oriented tasks, analyze needs and develop action plans, and coordinate with appropriate personnel as required.
• Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated technology proficiency working with personal computers and software, the web, social media, and library-relevant information technology applications.

The Successful Candidate Will

• Be empathetic and responsive - lead with emotional intelligence with direct reports
• Respect Librarians' independence - champion professional autonomy
• Have strong listening / communication skills - practice active listening and transparent communication
• Be flexible - be adaptable to an evolving landscape with pragmatic change management
• Be an advocate - champion the team's visibility and resources
• Respect existing culture - honor what works while guiding change at a trust-earning pace
• Respect faculty and staff equally - fostering a collegial environment regardless of staff/faculty status

Target Salary - $85,000

The Head of Library Instruction & Liaison Services provides leadership in the planning, development, delivery and assessment of library instruction programs and liaison services. The incumbent develops instructional content, teaches a variety of classes and workshops, develops resource guides, supports online and distance education, coordinates special projects, and provides research support for students and faculty. The Head of Library Instruction & Liaison Services also oversees a dynamic and evolving liaison librarian program for the sciences, humanities, social sciences, and business. This position serves a critical role in ensuring University Libraries is poised to meet the ambitious research and student success goals outlined in the University's Lead On strategic plan. Liaisons and instruction librarians promote the use of library resources, services, and facilities by developing outreach programs, by partnering with units across campus, and through assessing the evolving needs of today's students and faculty to implement new services as warranted. The Head, Library Instruction and Liaison Services position is a 12-month tenure track faculty position.

Position Responsibilities:

Teaching

• Provides direct supervision to 8-12 professional liaison and instruction librarians.
• Participates in the hiring of librarians and coordinates on-boarding and on-going professional development of direct reports.
• Works with liaisons and UL Collection Management to prioritize purchases and coordinate collection management projects as necessary.
• Develops and maintains strong working relationships within University Libraries to better support efforts in Open Initiatives, Digital Scholarship, Emerging Technologies, and Data Services.
• Creates reports on activities related to research consultations, instructional activities, outreach programs, and other user-facing services, ensuring accuracy and completeness, as requested.
• Participates in development and implementation of library policies and practices as they relate to liaison and instruction functions.
• Develops and teaches library-sponsored classes and workshops.
• Maintains library webpages and resource guides related to areas of responsibility.
• Serves as a liaison to assigned department(s), as needed, to support the work of the unit.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Research, Scholarship & Creative Activity

• Participates in research and scholarly activity through presentations, publications, or creative activities.

Professional, University & Administrative Service

• Participates in library and university committees and task forces related to primary job assignment as appropriate or assigned.
• Serves and participates at the local, state, regional, national and/or international level in professional and scholarly associations as appropriate to position and experience.
• Maintains up-to-date professional knowledge and skills in areas related to primary job assignment by participating in appropriate professional development and continuing education activities in the library, on campus, and within the library profession.

Application Instructions:

Applications received by April 30th will receive full consideration. Interested candidates are asked to submit the following materials:

• Comprehensive cover letter
• Current curriculum vita
• Full contact information for three professional references, including current supervisor.

All application materials may be submitted online through the Interfolio website at https://apply.interfolio.com/183096. Please contact Brian Rossmann at brian.rossmann@ou.edu with any questions.