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Reference and Instruction Librarian, University of Massachusetts, Boston, MA

Posted January 3, 2020

Reporting to the Head of Reference, Outreach and Instruction in the Healey Library, the Research & Instruction Librarian provides in-depth library research and instructional support at the University of Massachusetts Boston. This full-time position will collaborate with colleagues in the library and across campus to instruct, engage and support the nearly 17,000 students, and 1,100 faculty in the full range of library resources and services, on and off campus.

 

The successful candidate will be a creative, proactive and innovative individual who engages and collaborates with our unique and diverse campus community in working with the information resources needed for student success, teaching and research. The capacity for working enthusiastically, flexibly, and creatively in a user- centered environment is essential, along with demonstrable teaching experience, both synchronous and asynchronous, that reflects commitment to student success in an active learning environment.

 

The Reference and Instruction Librarian works collaboratively with the ROI team to reimagine and redesign library instruction sessions so that the focus is always on inquiry-guided active learning, student engagement, and student-centered pedagogy. This improvement process may happen in one-on-one meetings, team meetings to workshop upcoming library instruction sessions, or independently. The incumbent actively participates in the creation of a library of reusable lesson plans, learning objects, and assessments, all built around programmatic information literacy goals, so that these transformative pedagogies and practices may be easily reworked and reused for many different teaching and learning situations.

 

The incumbent will possess demonstrable ability to work independently and collaboratively with people of diverse backgrounds, knowledge of the research process and familiarity with a wide range of educational technologies and productivity software; excellent interpersonal skills; verbal and written communication skills and demonstrable organizational and time management skills. The individual will explore new ways of engaging library users and will advocate and provide leadership and vision to improve awareness and reach out effectively to the college and campus community.

 

The successful candidate provides excellent customer service; provides reference and research support both in-person and through virtual reference initiatives; thinks critically in analyzing problems and developing resourceful solutions; is able to manage a complex workload, can prioritize tasks and complete work on time with minimum supervision.

 

Responsibilities

  • Develops and conducts in-person, online, synchronous, and asynchronous information literacy instruction sessions aligned with ACRL guidelines, standards, and frameworks, LEAP initiative and AAC&U VALUE rubrics.

  • Develops integrated assessments for lesson plans and uses assessment data to inform continuous improvements in products and practice.

  • Develops online and print research and instructional materials; lectures, workshops, web based tutorials and pre-recorded sessions; integrating educational technologies.

  • Provides reference and research support virtually and in person.

  • Collaborates with faculty, staff, and students to integrate information literacy instruction and assessments into UMB curricula.

  • Provides reference coverage for network-based 24/7 real time chat reference services, using such platforms as LibAnswers, a shared library reference email account, and other platforms or channels.

  • Participates in outreach and programming to engage students, faculty, staff, and outside stakeholders.

  • Advocates for information literacy across campus and its application to teaching, learning, academic libraries, and higher education.

  • Collaborates with technology staff to develop innovative approaches to reference services and teaching.

  • Communicates with distance education faculty and students to keep them abreast of changes in online library resources; ensuring that library services are optimized to meet the needs of remote users.

  • Serves as library liaison to multiple college departments and programs, as assigned through the Healey Library Liaison Program.

  • Other duties as assigned.

 

Required Qualifications

  • A Master’s degree in library or information science from an ALA- accredited program or equivalent.

  • At least 2 years of related academic library experience associated with information literacy instruction, reference, and research support

  • Experience in creating online learning objects, including tutorials, instructional materials and research guides.

  • Demonstrated expertise in creating and delivering engaging and effective lesson plans for instruction sessions.

  • Demonstrated expertise in conducting reference consultations and familiarity with academic research reference sources: databases, integrated library systems, and research tools.

  • Capacity for working enthusiastically, flexibly, and creatively in a student- centered environment.

  • Demonstrated ability to work and communicate effectively and inclusively with a diverse population of faculty, staff and students.

  • Familiarity with current trends in academic library information systems and higher education.

  • Excellent interpersonal skills; verbal and written communication skills. 

  • Demonstrated organizational and time management skills.

  • Competency with wide range of educational technologies and productivity software as well as

  • Microsoft Office Suite.

  • Preferred qualifications:

  • Demonstrable classroom teaching experience.

  • Subject specialization in one or more academic disciplines; sciences preferred.

  • Experience with educational technologies and their applications in academic libraries.

  • Experience with course and learning management systems, such as Blackboard, Moodle, or

  • Canvas.

  • Experience with outreach and marketing services to students and faculty

 

To apply, please visit: https://employmentopportunities.umb.edu/en-us/job/504094/reference-and-instruction-librarian-ii 

 

The University of Massachusetts Boston provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, age, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability, military status, genetic information, pregnancy or a pregnancy-related condition, or membership in any other protected class. The University of Massachusetts Boston complies with all applicable federal, state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the university operates. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment.

 

The University of Massachusetts Boston is committed to providing a safe and secure environment that is supported by qualified employees for all of its students, faculty and staff to carry out the University’s teaching, research and public service missions. As a condition of employment, the University will conduct appropriate background check reviews. For more information, please see the University of Massachusetts Boston campus policy and procedures for employee background reviews.

 

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