Community Engagement Librarian, Olin College of Engineering, Needham, MA

Posted June 16, 2022

Description:

OVERVIEW:

Olin College of Engineering seeks employees who are passionate about working collaboratively within and outside of the Olin community to support the College’s mission and vision for the future.

At Olin, we are educating the next generation of engineering innovators and shifting the definition of engineering. Not only do our students ask, “Who are we designing this for, and what are their values?” They also ask questions about the impact of their work on society.

As Olin evolves under the leadership of our new president, Dr. Gilda Barabino, we seek to become a more diverse and aware community, a place where everyone is a learner and where everyone is an educator. Olin will become a place where experimentation—including making and learning from mistakes—will be embraced across the institution, not just in the classroom. Collaboration is key to Olin’s curriculum and culture, and we will work intentionally to reinforce the values and culture to which we aspire. We are a community that thrives on being together; we value trust. The College supports teams to collaboratively decide how they can best do their work, display a commitment to the community, all while providing individuals with overall work-life-flexibility.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Olin College Library seeks an energetic, service-oriented, creative colleague to join us in supporting student success and community engagement for a part-time (20 hours per week) position.

Under direction of the Library Director and the Community Services Librarian, the Community Engagement Librarian (CEL) takes an active role in creatively supporting students and joins us in exploring the literacies of making, participatory design, and community building. This position is responsible for co-managing our Library of Things/makerspace equipment and organizing programming, both for the library and in partnership with the Student Affairs and Resources (StAR) team and student clubs and organizations. Additionally, this position will help us maintain the physical environment of the library and continue to foster a culture of community stewardship for our special equipment and resources. We are eager for the CEL to bring their own interests and passion for creative learning and for thinking “out of the box” when it comes to library services.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:

Plans, schedules, and implements library programming activities including creating and coordinating programs and events, designing marketing materials, and collaborating with Olin student groups and colleagues
Works with library colleagues and the Student Affairs and Resources (StAR) team to engage with and empower student organizations; assists with first-year experience programming including orientation and the Olin First Year Introduction (OFYI) course
Co-manages the Library of Things (cameras, A/V gear, board games, etc.) and makerspace equipment (sewing machines, screen printer, vinyl cutters, etc.), including maintaining and ordering supplies and reinforcing a culture of community stewardship
Helps support and co-supervise a peer-training group of students with expert knowledge of specialized library equipment
Represents the library at events and committee meetings as needed
Handles common paging tasks, including shelving books, check-in, and interlibrary loan delivery
As needed, provides research assistance and help with using library resources; fulfills interlibrary loan requests

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements

MLS/MLIS or coursework towards the degree is preferred, though not required
Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility
1 to 3 years of library experience or equivalent work experience
Lift up to 30 lbs.

Desired Qualifications

Experience with A/V production and/or fabrication (screen printing, sewing, fiber arts, etc.)
Familiarity with and enthusiasm for participatory design
Willingness to build meaningful relationships with a very engaged undergraduate population
Experience managing websites, social media channels, and/or newsletters for other organizations

How to Apply:

For more information, visit:

https://www.olin.edu/about/employment-opportunities/Community-Engagement-Librarian