Science Librarian, Santa Clara University, Santa Clara, CA

Posted October 17, 2019

Santa Clara seeks a creative, user-oriented, and self-motivated librarian for the position of Science Librarian. This position provides specialized research consultation, instruction, and collection development for undergraduate programs in biology, chemistry/biochemistry, physics, environmental studies, and public health science. 

This position works collaboratively with faculty to support student learning through dynamic library instruction and faculty scholarship through expert research consultation. As a subject librarian, he/she collaborates with other librarians and library leaders to support 1st year instructional programs and general research services. This position reports to the Head of Research, and Outreach. 

 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities 

Teaching, Research, Outreach and Assessment (60%)

• Serves as liaison to several academic departments in the Sciences. 

• Collaborates with faculty to design and deliver library instruction that best meets the learning objectives of courses in the sciences. 

• Participates in the instruction program for Critical Thinking and Writing Courses for 1st year students. 

• Creates instructional support tools, such as online research guides, tutorials, and other digital learning objects.

• Engages with faculty and students to support scholarship and research 

• Collaborates with other subject librarians and library leaders to assess instructional programs and services. 

• Contributes to general reference support (virtual and in-person) 

• Participates in the planning and implementation of outreach activities and events organized by the Library

   

Collection Management and Assessment (30%)

• Manages and develops collections related to sciences.

• Identifies new titles and/or creates order profiles to facilitate the adding of materials to the collection.  

• Collects, records, and makes data-driven decisions related to holdings and use of collections within given subject areas. 

• Collaborates with other subject librarians and library leaders to assess usefulness and quality of library collections. 

• Collaborate with the Scholarly Communication Working Group to educate the campus community on scholarly communication issues and trends.

 

Service and Scholarship (10%)

• Serves on and/or chairs University and University Library committees, working groups, and task forces. 

• Participates in local, state, and national/international professional and scholarly societies and organizations. 

• Conducts research related to library science and/or another appropriate academic discipline; presents results at conferences and/or through publication.

 

General Guidelines

• Recommends initiatives and implements changes to improve quality and services. Identifies and determines cause of problems; develops and presents recommendations for improvement of established processes and practices. 

• Maintains contact with customers (library staff)  and solicits feedback for improved services. 

• Maximizes productivity through the use of appropriate tools; planned training and performance initiatives. 

• Researches and develops resources that create timely and efficient workflow.   

• Prepares progress reports; informs supervisor of project status; and deviation from goals.  

• Ensures completeness, accuracy and timeliness of all operational functions. 

• Prepares and submits reports as requested and required. 

• Develops and implements guidelines to support the functions of the unit.

 

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The items below are representative of the knowledge, skills, abilities, education, and experience required or preferred.

This position requires the ability to effectively establish and maintain cooperative working relationships within a diverse multicultural environment.

 

Required

• MLS from an ALA accredited program or equivalent  

• Ability to develop and deliver dynamic instruction on discovering, evaluating, and using information resources in the sciences. 

• Demonstrated competency in both in person and virtual reference work, preferably in an academic library. 

• Knowledge of scholarly communication issues. 

• Excellent interpersonal, oral, written, collaboration, and presentation skills for communicating with a wide range of constituencies. 

• Knowledge of emerging issues and technologies in science librarianship 

• Excellent organizational and time management skills

 

Preferred

• Background in a scientific discipline.  

• Experience working in an academic library 

• Understanding of current and emerging publishing and academic technologies 

• Active involvement in professional development activities with a record of scholarly contributions and achievements in the profession

   

1. Knowledge

Experience providing in-person and virtual research assistance to students and faculty Ability to develop and deliver dynamic instruction on discovering, evaluating, and using information resources in the sciences. Knowledge of scholarly communication issues. Knowledge of emerging issues and technologies in science librarianship

2. Skills

Demonstrated competency in both in-person and virtual reference work, preferably in an academic library Demonstrated ability to work creatively, collaboratively, and effectively, both as a team member and independently. Strong commitment to serving the needs of library users and willingness to advocate for their needs. Excellent organizational and time management skills. Excellent interpersonal, oral, written, collaboration, and presentation skills for communicating in multiple formats with a wide range of constituencies Ability to provide exceptional service to a diverse community.

3. Education

MLS from an accredited ALA program or equivalent

4. .Years of Experience

Some experience working in an academic library is preferred, but strong entry level candidates will be considered. 

 

Physical Demands

The physical demands described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, as amended, the California Fair Employment & Housing Act, and all other applicable laws, SCU provides reasonable accommodations for qualified persons with disabilities.  A qualified individual is a person who meets skill, experience, education, or other requirements of the position, and who can perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation 

• Considerable time is spent at a desk using a computer terminal. 

• May be required to travel to other buildings on the campus.

• May be required to attend conference and training sessions within Bay Area or in- or out-of-state locations.

• May be required to occasionally travel to outside customers, vendors or suppliers.

 

Work Environment 

The work environment characteristics described below are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

• Typical office environment.

• Mostly indoor office environment with windows.

• Offices with equipment noise.

• Offices with frequent interruptions.

 

To view the full position and apply, please visit the following link.