Instructional & Data Services Librarian, Whitman College, Walla Walla WA
Posted January 17, 2014
Penrose Library seeks an innovative librarian to provide instructional and research assistance to students, faculty, and staff of Whitman College. Primary responsibilities include designing, delivering, and assessing information literacy instruction; providing reference and research assistance; serving as a liaison to academic departments or programs; and participating in library planning and policy-making in a shared decision-making environment. Additionally, this librarian will perform outreach and instruction for spatial and numeric data services, primarily in support of the natural sciences and other data-driven disciplines.
As a member of the Instructional and Research Services (IRS) team, the successful candidate will have knowledge of information literacy pedagogy, instructional design, and current digital learning technologies. Applicants must be able to apply this knowledge while working with faculty in multiple areas of the liberal arts curriculum.
While the primary area of responsibility is instruction, all IRS librarians have additional responsibilities to other areas of library services. This position will be responsible for assessing campus needs regarding data services, and developing and expanding the library’s ability to support the management and use of data on campus. Candidates are sought with experience or significant coursework in the use of geospatial and statistical tools and who have the ability to find, use, analyze, and provide instruction with data. Because this area of responsibility will evolve in response to campus need and candidate interests, enthusiasm, vision, and instructional ability are vital to this position.
Experience providing academic library instruction or post-secondary instruction and experience or significant coursework in data services are desired, however early career librarians are encouraged to apply. Background or experience within a liberal arts college environment and an undergraduate major in a data-driven discipline are preferred.
Required Qualifications
o MLS or comparable degree from an ALA-accredited program;
o Ability to develop research guides and appropriate pedagogical materials in order to effectively deliver instruction at different achievement levels;
o Ability to exploit digital learning technologies and geospatial and statistical tools in order to further instructional programs and initiatives;
o Strong interpersonal and communication skills in order to effectively collaborate with other library units, campus departments, individuals, and outside constituencies.
o Experience with and/or knowledge of best practices for the acquisition, storage, and use of numeric and geospatial data, and the desire to develop further competency in this area.
Penrose Library has a strong service orientation, a team-oriented approach to decision making, and provides excellent opportunities for professional development. Penrose Library consistently ranks highly in Princeton Review’s “Best College Library” category and Whitman College is ranked by U.S. News & World Report among the top 50 liberal arts colleges in the country.
Whitman College is located in the historic community of Walla Walla in the scenic wine country of southeastern Washington State. Whitman’s beautiful tree-lined campus is home to an intellectually dynamic and diverse community of some 500 staff and faculty and 1,500 students. The area allows one to experience a wide variety of recreational opportunities, provides access to more than a dozen art galleries, three theatres, and the oldest continuous symphony west of the Mississippi River. Whitman has vibrant theatre and music programs and routinely invites renowned speakers and performers to campus.
Application Procedure
Please submit application letter, vita, and contact information for three references through the College Employment Opportunities form at https://whitmanhr.simplehire.
For more information about Whitman College see www.whitman.edu. Successful candidates must be able to pass a background check.