"Scholarly Communications Librarian"

Scholarly Communications Librarian

Welcome to Furman University's Career Site!

• IMPORTANT: Load all documents in the My Experience area under Resume/CV. This may include your resume/C.V., cover letter, unofficial transcript, teaching philosophy, etc. Please wait for all documents to finish uploading before clicking Next.
• If the process times out you will lose your progress, so please ensure you have all necessary documents available before starting.
• The drop-down lists only display so many options: please type into a drop-down list to search for your option. For example: in Field of Study, you may need to enter your field name. If you have no field, type "None."
• If you have previously applied, make sure your information is current as you can transfer it to another application.
• Prior to submitting your application, verify all information for accuracy and ensure you have uploaded all appropriate documents. Once submitted, you will not be able to edit your application other than to change your contact information.

If you have any questions or need additional assistance, please contact the Office of Human Resources via email at recruitment@furman.edu or by calling 864-294-3103.

Job Title: Scholarly Communications Librarian

Job Family: Library Faculty

Full-Time/Part-Time: Full time

Compensation Grade: MP

Pay Type: Salary

Department: Digital and Resource Management

Job Summary: Furman University seeks a dynamic, collaborative, and innovative library professional for the newly created Scholarly Communications Librarian. The successful candidate will cultivate a network of campus partners to establish priorities, services, and tools for a new scholarly communications program. This position will provide leadership and expertise in the areas of scholarly publishing, open access, affordable learning, and copyright.

Job Description:

Reports to Associate Director for Digital and Resource Management

Job Duties

• Establish a scholarly communications program Strategically develop a scholarly communications program with a defined list of services, tools, and educational opportunities. This program will be developed collaboratively with stakeholders, informed by university needs and priorities, and communicated clearly to the campus community.
• Collaborate with campus partners Cultivate positive relationships with library and university stakeholders to drive scholarly communications initiatives. Stakeholders may include academic departments and institutes, the Faculty Development Center, the Furman Humanities Center, the Center for Engaged Learning, the Office of Grants and Research Administration, University Marketing and Communications, the Development Office, Enrollment Services, the Office of Institutional Assessment and Research, and Information Technology Services.
• Promote Furman's research and scholarly achievements Enhance the discoverability of Furman's scholarly and creative output by identifying and documenting the work of the Furman community, tracking research metrics, and maintaining a robust institutional repository. This position will also lead a team in the organization of the annual Furman Scholarship reception, an event that celebrates the scholarly and creative output of Furman faculty and staff.
• Manage institutional repository in Digital Commons Lead the strategic enhancement of Furman's institutional repository, Furman University Scholar Exchange (FUSE), currently housed in Digital Commons. This will involve:
  • Establishing guidelines and workflows for the consistent collection, dissemination, and preservation of the scholarly and creative output of Furman University.
  • Leading all aspects of the institutional repository including ingest/harvest, metadata standards, policies and procedures, and assessment.
  • Supervising students and/or interns in the upload and management of IR content.
  • Collaborating with the Digital Collections Center and Special Collections and Archives on specific projects, as needed.
  • Recognizing the breadth, limits, and ethical use of AI in the creation of scholarly output.
• Advocate for Open Access (OA) and affordable learning Promote open access initiatives, publishing models, and affordable learning options that make research freely available to the public and/or mitigate costs for the Furman community. This will involve:
  • Administering and growing the Library's Open Access Fund.
  • Promoting and tracking use of Read and Publish Agreements.
  • Supporting the adoption, creation, and/or dissemination of open education materials (OERs).
  • Offering educational programming, workshops, and one-on-one consultations.
  • Assisting researchers in crafting OA language for grant applications and supporting researchers in complying with OA funder mandates.
• Provide advice on copyright and author rights Provide guidance to the campus community on questions related to intellectual property, copyright, and fair use. Assist in helping authors understand licensing agreements and their intellectual property rights. This position does not offer legal advice but informs members of the campus community on the application of copyright law in academic work.
• Participate in faculty responsibilities As a non-tenured 12-month faculty member, the successful candidate will:
  • Consistently attend faculty, staff, and special meetings.
  • Serve on library and university committees and working groups.
  • Actively pursue professional development including publishing, presenting, and participating in professional organizations.
  • Make informed decisions related to AI.

Minimum Qualifications

• ALA-accredited MLIS or equivalent degree
• Three years of relevant work experience
• Knowledge of current trends and issues in open access, copyright, and other areas of scholarly communication
• Excellent communication skills
• Demonstrated ability to cultivate positive professional relationships
• Demonstrated ability to work creatively, collaboratively, and effectively with colleagues

Preferred Qualifications

• Academic library experience
• Experience managing an institutional repository
• Familiarity with accessibility best practices

Salary and Benefits

• Salary commensurate with experience (minimum $70,000).
• Furman University offers a competitive benefits package.
• The Furman Libraries provide financial support for professional development and travel.

Application Process

Applicants should submit the following documents as a single PDF in the order listed:

• Letter of interest
• Curriculum vitae or resume
• One-page statement of professional philosophy that should describe your inclusive librarianship efforts, broadly conceived, and how your librarianship may contribute to a liberal arts and sciences community that aims, among other things, to "honor inquiry, promote diversity, [and] strive for equity" (FUture Focused). You may also discuss any relevant professional development, service contributions, or other experiences that have refined your skills or demonstrate your efforts in these areas.
• Complete contact information for three references

Review of applications begins February 9th, 2026; the position will be open until filled.