"Research and Instruction Librarian"

Job Details

Posting Details

Position Information

Title

Research and Instruction Librarian

Department

Library

Division

Libraries

Employment Type

Full-Time

Critical Review Track (similar to tenure track)

Yes

Position Description

Fleet Library, in the Libraries Division, at the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), invites applications for a full-time professional librarian appointment at the rank of Librarian II, to commence in spring/summer 2025.

RISD recognizes principles of social equity, inclusion, and diversity as fundamental to its academic mission as an art and design school. We understand these principles to require ongoing attention to difference and expansion of the forms of knowledge from which our curricula originate. RISD is engaged in the collective work of institutional transformation and would value applicants whose pedagogical and professional experiences have prepared them to foster equitable teaching and learning environments. We encourage applicants whose teaching and professional work (creative practice and/or academic scholarship) centers on bodies of knowledge from historically underrepresented communities. We are eager to welcome applicants who can help advance the institution’s social equity, inclusion, and diversity goals and those from groups whose underrepresentation in the American professoriate has been severe and long standing, including Black, Indigenous, Latinx, and other People of Color, people who identify as LGBTQIA+, veterans, people with disabilities, and first-generation college students.

As a member of a dynamic library team, the Research and Instruction Librarian leads Fleet Library’s information literacy instruction, research services, and campus engagement related to both. They collaborate with library colleagues, faculty, students, and others to raise awareness of library resources and make them accessible through innovative instruction and research services. They contribute to the development of Fleet Library’s circulating collection and online resources, create learning resources and develop related programming. By sharing their knowledge, expertise and curiosity, they support a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere for a creative and diverse campus population of undergraduates, graduates, continuing education and pre-college students, staff, and faculty and visitors.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS / DUTIES:

• Instruction. This position teaches information literacy and research methods and promotes the curricular integration of Fleet Library’s resources. Specifically, they:
• Design and deliver information literacy and research instruction that responds to the needs of diverse stakeholders and curricula.
• Lead strategic efforts to embed a comprehensive library instruction program across the curriculum.
• Continuously assess the efficacy of information literacy instruction and student learning.
• Coordinate with other instruction librarians in developing pedagogical goals, strategies and priorities.
• Leverage campus resources related to pedagogy, instructional design, and emerging technologies related to teaching.
• Research. This position is a primary contact for RISD community members and other Fleet Library patrons seeking research support and skills development. Specifically, they:
• Provide appointments and drop-in assistance to researchers of all experience levels.
• Develop materials for research skills development and reference, such as LibGuides, Canvas modules, handouts, etc.
• Explore and recommend established and emerging tools and practices for scholarly and creative research.
• Participate in library projects related to resource discoverability and information-seeking behavior, such as updates to search platforms, cataloging practices, and the library website.
• Connect researchers to resources beyond RISD via reciprocating libraries, ILL, etc.
• Engagement. This position is responsible for championing the library across campus and making its resources better known and more accessible and discoverable. Specifically, they:
• Contribute to efforts to promote library collections and services through the library’s web ecosystem, social media, faculty meetings, and campus-wide communications platforms and events.
• Develop strong working relationships with faculty, students, and staff to maintain awareness of curricular and other priorities on campus.
• Seek out opportunities to engage with student cohorts such as international and first generation college (FGC) students.
• Provide general library introductions or overviews to groups and individuals as needed.
• Collection Development. This position contributes to the development and management of Fleet Library’s collections. Specifically, they:
• Make recommendations for acquisitions of circulating and reference materials informed by research questions and instruction requests.
• Propose new areas of growth in consultation with library colleagues and faculty.
• Contribute to selecting, managing, and assessing research databases and other subscription resources.
• Support assessment of gift offers and recommend responses.
• Recommend candidates for deaccessioning from the circulating and reference collections.

ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONS:

• Assist in supervision and training of student employees in support of the tasks described above.
• Review and update policies and procedures in consultation with colleagues, especially as they pertain to shared spaces and responsibilities.
• Contribute to and ensure that statistics in this area of library operations are maintained and reported accurately.
• Participate in professional and institutional activities; pursue continuing education as appropriate. Serve on cross-operational library working groups and college committees.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• ALA-accredited MLIS or equivalent achieved through experience and related training.
• Minimum three years of recent instruction work in libraries or related environments.
• Experience supporting researchers across a variety of levels and learning styles.
• Strong interest in visual literacy and research pedagogies that support art and design practices and creative production generally.
• Familiarity with research practices of artists, designers, and related creative fields.
• Experience promoting library resources and services through a variety of outlets.
• Experience with library management systems (Sierra, AEON, and ArchivesSpace preferred). Strong analytical skills, creative and innovative problem-solving.
• Excellent written, verbal, interpersonal and communication skills for in-person and virtual settings.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to work collegially and independently.
• Proficiency with commonly used productivity software (e.g., Google Workspace) and ability to learn new technologies with ease.
• Ability to set priorities, exercise flexibility, effectively manage multiple projects simultaneously, meet deadlines and adjust as circumstances change.
• Commitment to promoting and/or enhancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in an organizational context.

Preferred Qualifications

• Additional degree in a relevant field such as art or design history, fine arts, design, etc.
• Formal coursework or training in active learning and/or inclusive teaching techniques.
• Fluency with commonly used design software and media editing software (e.g., Adobe Suite, Canva).
• Knowledge and understanding of key issues and trends in the art and design school sector and an understanding of the impact of digital technologies in libraries and higher education.
• Participation in relevant professional associations.

RISD/ Department Description

Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) is an undergraduate and graduate college of art and design with approximately 2,500 graduate and undergraduate students.

Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) is an undergraduate and graduate college of art and design with approximately 2,500 graduate and undergraduate students. RISD has a critical review process, which is very similar to the tenure process. RISD supports faculty professional practice with sabbaticals, pre-critical review leave, conference funds, and professional development grants. For more information about RISD, please visit www.risd.edu.

Fleet Library’s collections include more than 155,000 volumes and 320 periodical subscriptions (print) and offer unusual depth and richness in the areas of architecture, art, design and photography. The library is noted for its artist’s book collection, rare books, and visual and material resource collections. For more information about Fleet Library visit library.risd.edu.

Faculty Responsibilities

Union

Yes

Salary Information

For information about base pay for this position, please refer to Article XII “Salaries” (p. 19-22) in the Faculty Association Collective Bargaining Contract 2022-2025. The contract indicates the minimum base salary for each rank.

Pre-employment Requirement

The successful candidate will be required to meet our pre-employment background screening requirements.

Special Instructions to Applicants

RISD Faculty and Librarian Search Committees comprise colleagues from within and outside of the hiring Department.

Please attach the following to the appropriate links in the section labeled “Documents Needed to Apply”:

• Letter of intent that addresses the qualifications and responsibilities listed above
• Curriculum vitae
• A teaching philosophy that articulates your approach to inclusive pedagogy

Applications may not be edited once they are certified and submitted.

File size is limited to 10 MB per file.

Only materials that have been requested will be considered.

Names and contact information for three references are requested as part of the application process at the finalist stage.

Review of applications begins immediately and continues until the position is filled. Candidates who submit their materials by February 28, 2025 are assured full consideration.

EEO Statement

RISD is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetics, or any other protected characteristic as established by law.

Posting Detail Information

Posting Number

F00118P

Open Date

Close Date

Open Until Filled

Yes

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

Documents Needed To Apply

• Required Documents
• Cover Letter
• Curriculum Vitae
• Teaching Philosophy
• Optional Documents