"Head of Reference & Instruction"

Position Overview

The Head of Reference & Instruction provides leadership, vision, and strategic direction for the Carleton College Library Reference & Instruction Department. This position leads the development and management of its reference and instruction program, ensuring excellent service to students and faculty while supporting the curriculum and mission of the college.

Carleton College Library is a member of the Bridge Consortium, a collaboration with the St. Olaf College Libraries. As a member, the Head of Reference & Instruction works with peers at both libraries on Bridge-related projects.

Compensation

The expected starting salary range for this position is between $86,300 and $89,100. Actual pay will be adjusted based on job-related factors permitted by law, such as experience and training; licensure and certifications; market factors; departmental budgets; and responsibility.

Essential Job Functions/Responsibilities

• Coordinates and supervises the Reference & Instruction Department staff and provides general management of the department
• Supervises the development and implementation of information literacy across the curriculum by overseeing outreach efforts to faculty
• Manages all administrative aspects of the reference desk, including scheduling, policies, and participation in a cooperative chat reference service
• Oversees the department’s participation in: Argument & Inquiry classes (Carleton’s first-year seminars), Other Information Literacy instruction, Faculty outreach about the library’s reference and instruction services, Information literacy assessment projects
• Advises the College Librarian on departmental, library, and campus projects
• Serves as a member of the Library Leadership Council
• Collaborates with the Head of Research and Instruction at St. Olaf on reference matters
• Participates in, and chairs on a rotating basis, the Curricular and Research Support Coordinating Group
• Collaborates with the Director of Academic Technology in support of curricular and research projects on campus including Digital humanities, Digital scholarship, Data, etc.
• Collaborates with Information Technology Services staff members to ensure seamless service from Reference Librarians and student tech help at the Research/IT Desk
• Other duties as assigned

Liaison Responsibilities

• Maintains and continuously develops subject expertise in order to provide faculty, students and staff with specialized professional support to liaison departments and programs
• Provides general and specialized reference and research consultations
• Offers course-related classroom instruction
• Creates and maintains course, subject, and general online research guides

Supervision Received and Exercised

• Reports to College Librarian
• Supervises Reference & Instruction Librarians

Education/Experience/Skills

Required:

• MLS from an ALA-accredited program
• Five years of professional experience related to reference and instruction in an academic or research library
• Demonstrated effective leadership in library management positions
• Demonstrated understanding of issues and trends in reference and instruction
• Demonstrated creativity, initiative, and interest in innovative approaches to reference, instruction, and liaison work
• Demonstrated excellent communication skills, with the ability to foster positive working relationships and build partnerships
• Effective time, organizational, and project management skills with the ability to work independently and as a member of a collaborative team
• Demonstrated ability to work proactively and effectively with faculty on reference and instruction issues

Preferred:

• Advanced degree in an academic discipline

Must have the ability to understand and follow written and oral work instructions, operations, safety procedures, and hazardous labels.

Note: This position description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employees may perform other related duties to meet the ongoing needs of the organization.

Review of applications begins immediately and continues until the hire is complete. We accept only online applications.

Carleton College is an AA/EEO Employer: We are committed to developing our staff to better reflect the diversity of our student body and American society. Members of underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply.

Carleton also offers a robust suite of benefits including: A generous 403(b) retirement plan with a 10% employer contribution and 2% employee contribution. Medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance. Paid time-off, including 20 vacation days, 8 paid holidays, 3 floating holidays, 2 weather days, and extra days at the end of the calendar year to make a continuous week off before New Year’s. Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for all employees. A dependent tuition program after six years of service.

Founded in 1866, Carleton College is a private, coeducational liberal arts college of roughly 2,000 students located in the historic river town of Northfield, Minnesota. Carleton College occupies more than 1,000 scenic acres of campus, arboretum, over 100 campus buildings, and athletic fields. Located 40 miles south of Minneapolis and St. Paul, Carleton offers access to the cultural advantages of a major metropolitan area.