Embrace our commitment to critical librarianship.
Be excited about engaging with students who are broadly
diverse.
Value collegiality and collaboration, and thrive in a small,
relationship-driven academic environment.
Responsibilities
As liaison librarian for the natural sciences:
- Support student and faculty by providing guidance on research
methods and resources
- Teach course-related instruction sessions
- Support the research and publishing work of faculty
- Raise awareness of discipline-specific library resources
- Develop library collections
- Participate in the college's science community
As a member of the Research Services department:
- Provide general reference service through the Ask A Librarian
service
- Teach co-curricular workshops
- Participate in departmental outreach activities (orientations,
events)
- Work on library and college teams and committees as
relevant
Librarians in Research Services are expected to maintain awareness
of trends, tools, and methods in the field of library instruction,
information literacy, and related areas. They are also expected to
engage with the profession by contributing to national, regional,
and/or local associations and professional groups. Williams
Libraries provides support for continuing professional
development.
Requirements
This role provides a unique opportunity to engage in the
intersection of librarianship and the sciences. In order to teach
information literacy and support science students and faculty with
their library-related research projects, one year of relevant
experience is required for this role. This requirement can be
fulfilled through several pathways: work as science librarian;
experience as a reference/instruction librarian combined with a
background in science education; a background as a scientist with
instruction experience and library training, or through other
similar combinations of knowledge and experience. Candidates are
encouraged to share how their unique background meets this and
other requirements in more detail in the cover letter that
accompanies their application.
- Masters in Library Information Science from an ALA-accredited
institution. Candidates with the ability to obtain this degree
within 6 months from the date of hire will be considered
- At least one year of experience relevant to the role
- Experience teaching research tools and information
literacy
- Understanding of information literacy in the sciences
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with a proven
ability to solve problems and build collaborative partnerships with
faculty, students and staff colleagues
- Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a
relationship driven environment
- Commitment to information ethics/justice, diversity, equity,
inclusion, and accessibility
Preferred Qualifications
- Bachelor degree or higher in the sciences
- Knowledge of scholarly publishing landscape in the sciences
(e.g. open science, open data, research impact,
scientometrics)
- Academic library experience
- Experience using the ACRL Framework for Information
Literacy
- Familiarity with the framework and methodologies of critical
librarianship
- Familiarity with framework and methodologies for digital
scholarship
We strongly encourage those interested in providing reference and
instruction services in the sciences to apply regardless of how
many of the preferred qualifications they meet. We are committed to
helping our future colleagues develop skills.
Williams College is committed to building a broadly diverse and
inclusive community where members from all backgrounds can live,
learn, and thrive. This is a full time (37.5 hours/week),
year-round, benefited position that involves a significant amount
of on-site presence. This position qualifies for remote work for up
to 1 day per week.
Application review will begin on
October 5, 2026. Pay range
is from $70,000 to $80,000, commensurate with experience.
In addition to your résumé, a cover letter is
required for
consideration. In your cover letter, we invite you to outline your
experience relevant to the sciences, share what excites you most
about teaching science literacy, and how your interests and
experiences align with the mission and values of the Research
Services department and undergraduate librarianship.
Employment at Williams is contingent on the verification of
background information submitted by the applicant, including the
completion of a criminal record check, and education when
applicable. Decisions regarding appointments, promotions, and
conditions of employment comply with applicable federal or state
law prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, sex, national
origin, religion, age, disability, marital status, sexual
orientation, gender identity or expression, ancestry, or military
service.
It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie
detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment.
An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal
penalties and civil liability.
Beyond meeting fully its legal obligations for non-discrimination,
Williams College is committed to building a diverse and inclusive
community where members from all backgrounds can live, learn and
thrive. As part of this commitment, we will ensure that persons
with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If
reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job
application or interview process please feel free to contact us via
phone at (413) 597-2681 or email at
hr@williams.edu.
To apply, visit https://wd5.myworkdaysite.com/en-US/recruiting/williamscollege/External_Career_Site/job/Williamstown-MA-Main-Campus/Research-and-Instruction-Librarian_JR10000001438.
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