Architecture and Art Librarian, MIT Libraries, Cambridge MA

The MIT Libraries seek a forward-looking and enterprising professional familiar with the use and communication of all formats of research information in Architecture and Art to shape and deliver programs of instruction, reference, outreach, and resource selection and to serve as liaison to an active community of users involved in research and teaching at the leading edge of the field.

The Architecture and Art Librarian serves as the Libraries expert on the research, learning culture, and information practices of the Architectural Design, Building Technology, Computation, and History, Theory and Criticism communities in the Department of Architecture within the School of Architecture and Planning. S/he selects and advocates for the acquisition and discovery of research materials within the disciplines of Architecture and Art. S/he targets communications for creating awareness of available services and collections, and actively works to maintain and build connections within the assigned communities. The Librarian provides information-related instruction within Architecture, including targeted instruction about research skills, art and architectural image discovery and repositories, visual literacy and presentation tools. S/he also provides reference support, for the Architecture community and in support of the MIT community as a whole. The Architecture and Art Librarian collaborates with colleagues in related departments to select, deliver, and support visual collections, utilizing expertise about the user community to inform decision making, and supporting the community’s use of the collections. S/he promotes the Libraries’ repository-based services and provides support for scholarly publishing initiatives, such as recruitment of faculty-created research materials for inclusion in our Open Access collections. S/he collaborates with liaison colleagues to support the interdisciplinary activities of the department.

The Architecture and Art Librarian reports to the Head, Liaisons for Departments, Labs and Centers and is a participating member of the Arts and Humanities Community of Practice with fellow liaison librarians. S/he coordinates the exhibits program housed in the Rotch Library. S/he will participate actively in system-wide initiatives and serve on committees and task forces and will be expected to communicate actively with fellow professionals through research, writing or presentations, and/or professional service activities.

QUALIFICATIONS: Required – MLS/MLIS from an ALA-accredited institution or equivalent advanced degree in library or information science. Graduate or undergraduate degree in architecture, art history, or the visual arts, or the equivalent library experience working with architecture collections. Demonstrated knowledge of visual literacy concepts and digital media literacy techniques. Evidence of initiative and a n entrepreneurial, independent approach to delivering reference and instructional services to a user community, and to selecting resources. Demonstrated interest in research literature, publishing practices, and emerging trends in assigned areas and developing and maintaining relationships with user communities. A collaborative approach to problem solving and working across organizational boundaries. Facility, mastery, and independent exploration of appropriate technologies in service of user needs. Excellent interpersonal skills, including ability to work successfully with a diverse population. Highly developed communication skills, both oral and written. Ability to be flexible and to successfully manage competing deadlines. Preferred – Experience in libraries, including selection, acquisition, and/or delivery of image and/or visual collections. Experience selecting and assessing research collections and working with vendors of scholarly research products. Evidence of potential to lead change and implement new services and work methods. Evidence of effective collaboration with faculty, colleagues, and students. Experience or training in marketing, instruction, or publishing.

SALARY AND BENEFITS: $53,000 is minimum entry-level salary. Actual salary and appointment level (Librarian I or II) will depend on qualifications and experience. MIT offers excellent benefits including a choice of health and retirement plans, a dental plan, tuition assistance and a relocation allowance. The MIT Libraries afford a flexible and collegial working environment and foster professional growth of staff with management training and travel funding for professional meetings.