Job Description

Research and Learning Librarian

Main Campus - Boston, MA
R11486

ABOUT SIMMONS

Located in Boston's historic Fenway area, Simmons University has a strong tradition of empowering women and challenging traditional gender roles. Simmons was founded for equality 125 years ago as one of the first higher education institutions dedicated to helping women become leaders. Today, our university continues to grow and evolve and now offers Boston's only women's undergraduate program and graduate programs open to all.

You're joining our community at an especially exciting time as we continue to innovate for the future. Simmons recently launched a six-school academic structure that leverages our expert faculty and longstanding expertise in professions that make our communities stronger. In addition, we continue to highlight our high-value education proposition that is delivering greater ROI to students and putting them on the fast track to career growth and success. You'll find that people who work here truly believe in our mission of preparing students to become social justice-oriented leaders who excel in their professions and their communities. This commitment and pride make for a dynamic workplace.

As a university that values diversity, equity, and inclusion, Simmons encourages applications from all under-represented groups. Simmons is committed to creating, developing, promoting, and enhancing inclusive hiring practices-at all levels, for all positions-ensuring diverse talent pools and the delivery of a consistent positive candidate experience. Simmons is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to continuing to develop a more diverse faculty, staff, student body, and curriculum.

JOB SUMMARY

The Research and Learning Librarian supports the core academic missions of Simmons University and the University Library through the development and delivery of targeted and relevant strategies, tools, services, and practices which directly and indirectly support student learning and academic excellence. The Research and Curriculum Librarian develops subject expertise and engages faculty in order to effectively advocate for library resources and services; designs and implements research services and instruction strategies; and supports the integration of information literacy concepts and skills into the curriculum for assigned academic departments/programs. The Research and Learning Librarian provides direct patron services, including staffing reference desk and chat reference, as well as supporting training for student workers in service delivery.

As part of the University Library's ongoing commitment to celebrating the humanity, dignity, lived experiences, and contributions of the entire Simmons scholarly and professional community, the Research and Curriculum Librarian actively incorporates principles of antiracism and diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging into their teaching, service, and support of students.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

Key Work Activities:

1. Teaching & Learning

• Develop and deliver library instruction-including instructional design, teaching, and assessment-in face-to-face, online, and blended modalities and in alignment with the identified program, curricular, and student needs
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of relevant curriculum initiatives within assigned departments/programs
• Demonstrate competency on broad issues of copyright and how to responsibly use resources in an academic setting
• Deliver instruction sessions which encourage students' critical thinking around, engagement with, and evaluation of information sources through the ACRL Frameworks and other societal and systemic lenses of antiracism, diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging

2. Research and Service

• Provide high-quality reference and research support on demand by appointment, email, video conferencing, chat, or other vehicles and modalities as appropriate
• Create and maintain asynchronous research tools such as LibGuides, resource- or skill-centered tutorials, and instructional videos, with particular attention paid to ensuring the accessibility of content to all students
• Extend services through office hours, embedded librarianship, and support of student research programs
• Participate in the promotion of library services and materials
• Train and onboard student workers in research and learning and user engagement functions

3. Curriculum & Resources Development

• Participate in ongoing collection review and assessment, especially in assigned subjects and with an awareness of the importance of recognizing, affirming, and valuing the worth of individuals and their scholarship, creative works, and perspectives
• Maintain an awareness of scholarship in assigned disciplines and relevant curricular initiatives to ensure curriculum-aligned collection management that incorporates antiracism and diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging as assessment factors
• Develop, integrate, and promote the adoption of open access principles and open educational resources into patron resource discovery experiences to help ensure the accessibility of these resources to all students

4. Engagement

• Cultivate partnerships and collaborations with faculty, adjuncts, students, and staff in assigned departments/programs
• Maintain an understanding of assigned academic department/program needs and a corresponding awareness of the appropriate library resources/services to meet such program needs
• Maintain an understanding and awareness of department-, program-, College- or University-wide initiatives around antiracism, diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, and identify opportunities to support these through research and instruction services and other activities
• Promote the awareness and use of the Library's collections and services, and pursue opportunities that engage and inform the community
• Speak knowledgeably about issues such as scholarly communication, critical cataloging, open access, institutional repositories, and information literacy
• Share information about users with library staff and with departments/programs
• Seek opportunities for collaboration with academic and co-curricular departments/programs on initiatives impacting resources, services, information literacy, and curriculum support
• Serve on appropriate department-, program-, College-, or University-wide committees

5. Professional Development/Service

• Maintain current knowledge of library resources, services and issues with strong emphasis on assigned academic departments/programs
• Participate in appropriate professional organizations
• Contribute to the profession through activities including publications and presentations and by taking on leadership roles in professional organizations
• Maintain an understanding of University and Library strategy, priorities, and initiatives in order to advance shared goals

OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Other duties as assigned

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Master's degree from an ALA accredited program in Library & Information Science
• Outstanding written and oral communication skills
• Strong analytical and organizational skills
• Commitment to excellent customer service
• Demonstrated ability to work both independently as well as part of a team
• Experience with library and emerging technology

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Two years of public services experience in an academic setting
• Experience developing and delivering Information Literacy sessions
• Familiarity with and experience with resources in the Library Science and Business and Management.
• Experience providing outstanding reference and research support both in-person and in the online environment
• Experience developing, assessing, and managing print, media, and electronic collections
• Experience developing and conducting effective outreach programs for students and faculty

COMPETENCIES

• Proficiencies in research and reference services
• Commitment to continuous learning and technological flexibility
• Collaborative and team-oriented
• Commitment to inclusive excellence and social justice
• Strong commitment to student success and faculty engagement

WORK ENVIRONMENT & CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL DEMANDS

On-campus, hybrid eligible at the discretion of supervisor
40 Hours/week
12 months/year
Environment: Office environment

Salary Grade
S06