Towson University Early Career Librarian Fellows, Towson University, Towson, MD
Posted April 7, 2022
Towson University’s Albert S. Cook Library has an exciting Fellowship opportunity for early career librarians. See below for information about the Early Career Librarian Fellowship, with instructions for applying.
UPDATE: We are holding an informational webinar about this Fellowship opportunity next week, Thursday, April 14, 4pm EST. This session will begin with information about Towson, Cook Library, and the Fellowship program and will be followed by the opportunity for attendees to ask questions.
Here are the details for attending the webinar:
TU Cook Library Early Career Librarian Fellows Information Webinar
Date and time: Thursday, Apr 14, 2022 4:00 pm | (UTC-04:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada)
Join link: https://towson.webex.com/towson/j.php?MTID=m5a7de41fa669a501357e83d14a3aeef6
Webinar number: 2620 815 1370
Webinar password: TdrtHfAe238 (83784323 from phones)
Join by phone
1-877-668-4490 Call-in toll-free number (US/Canada)
1-408-792-6300 Call-in toll number (US/Canada)
Access code: 262 081 51370
Position Announcement: Early Career Librarian Fellows
Towson University’s Albert S. Cook Library seeks two innovative individuals to serve as Early Career Residency Fellows. Our library is committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse library staff by considering applicants from a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences.
You can read the library’s diversity statement here: https://libraries.towson.edu/about/more-about-us/diversity-equity-and-inclusion. Towson University places a high priority on the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Candidates will be expected to describe any prior experience and articulate how they could be involved in further advancing this campus goal. This fellowship program is designed to provide an early-career librarian from an underrepresented group, who has begun but not yet finished their master’s in library science (MLS or MLIS), the opportunity for rapid professional growth while bringing new perspectives and fresh ideas to Towson University Libraries. Recent graduates who have received their MLIS in the last 18 months may also be considered for the fellowship. The first two years of the program will be dedicated to researching a new program, with the goal of launching the program at the conclusion of the two years or exploring a liaisonship, within Albert S. Cook Library.
Qualifications
Master’s degree must be completed by start date or within one year of hire; the Fellow may receive work release time of up to 50% to complete their degree. Commitment to developing a career in academic librarianship; knowledge of issues and developments in academic libraries. Demonstrated interest or experience in diversity and inclusion initiatives. Strong commitment to supporting the academic and research needs of students, faculty and staff. Basic familiarity with current practices and technology in library instruction, technical services, and special collections. Demonstrated interest in scholarship and commitment to professional growth. Strong, positive interpersonal and collaborative skills; ability to work in a team environment. Excellent oral, written and interpersonal communication skills. Demonstrated initiative and ability to work independently and collaboratively on a variety of projects simultaneously. Demonstrated excellent organizational, analytical, time management and project management skills. Ability to work flexibly and creatively in a changing and fast paced environment with a diverse population.
Responsibilities
The fellow will work on one of three program areas of their choice, choosing from topics of (1) research and instruction liaisonship, (2) digital archives, or (3) open educational resources. In the final year of the program, the Fellow will specialize in their chosen area(s) and work on a capstone project suited to their professional interests and to the needs of the library. A goal of this project is for the Fellow, working independently or with a mentor, to develop, complete, and report research or creative work at a conference or as a publication. The Fellow will serve on library and university committees and participate in professional organizations. The Fellow will benefit from formal and informal mentorship, funding and encouragement of professional development, and a focus on career planning. Towson University Libraries Residency program is part of the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) Diversity Alliance.
Albert S. Cook Library:
Albert S. Cook Library is the campus library for Towson University, the largest university in the Baltimore area and the second largest in the University System of Maryland. Cook Library also serves the Towson University Northeastern Maryland (TUNE) campus. With 28 faculty librarians and 26 staff, Cook Library provides superior support to Towson University.
TOWSON UNIVERSITY
About TU
Towson University was founded in 1866, is recognized by U. S. News and World Reports as one of the top public universities in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions, is Baltimore’s largest university, and is the largest public, comprehensive institution in the University of Maryland System. TU enrolls over 19,000 undergraduates and over 3,000 graduate students across six academic colleges (business, education, fine arts, health professions, liberal arts, science & mathematics), has over 865 full-time faculty, and offers more than 65 bachelor’s, 45 master’s, and 5 doctoral programs. Our centrally located campus sits on 330 rolling green acres and is 10 miles north of Baltimore, 45 miles north of Washington D.C., and 95 miles south of Philadelphia.
How to apply:
Application Process
Review of applications begins immediately and continues until the position is filled.
Applicants should submit a resume or curriculum vitae, cover letter and the names and contact information of three relevant references. Cover letters should detail how the applicant’s interest and experience in teaching, service and/or scholarship will support the success of students from underrepresented racial, ethnic, and gender backgrounds. Applicants who have not yet had the opportunity for such experience should note how their work in librarianship will further Towson University’s commitment to diversity. Transcripts will be requested of final candidates.
Click here to apply. Please note that the search number for which you are applying is LIB-3555.
A Criminal Background Investigation is required for the hired candidate and the results may impact employment.
The safety of our students, faculty, staff, and neighbors has been our top priority and the focus of every one of our decisions since the earliest days of the COVID-19 pandemic. The University System of Maryland (USM) has recently determined that mandating a COVID-19 vaccine for all faculty, staff, and students at all schools in the USM is both a reasonable and necessary means of protecting our health and safety. As a prospective hire at TU, proof of your full COVID-19 vaccination must be demonstrated before you begin employment with the university.
Applicant Data Form
Please be sure to visit the Applicant Data Form to complete a voluntary on-line applicant data form. The information you provide will inform the university’s affirmative action plan and is for statistical-related purposes only. The information will not be used for any other purpose.
Towson University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and has a strong institutional commitment to diversity, as detailed in A More Inclusive TU: Advancing Equity and Diversity (2020 – 25). TU is a national leader in inclusive excellence, the only institution in Maryland with zero achievement gap, and 68% growth in minority enrollment over the past 5 years. We encourage application from a variety of (dis)abilities, cultural, ethnic, race, sex, gender identity/expression, national origin, age, veteran status, color, religious, socio-economic, sexual orientation and belief backgrounds.