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Collections and User Experience Librarian, Oberlin College, Oberlin, OH

Posted December 8, 2023

Descriptions

Job Summary

The Oberlin College Libraries seek a creative and dynamic librarian for the position of Collections and User Experience Librarian. The Collections and User Experience (UX) Librarian provides leadership in three areas: reference and instruction in support of the curricular goals of the College; collections strategy within the Oberlin College Libraries (OCL); and the development and implementation of activities and project designed to enhance the overall user experience within OCL. The Collections and User Experience Librarian develops relationships, seeks out opportunities, and organizes and facilitates the delivery of data-driven initiatives that meet the assessment and user experience objectives of Oberlin College and OCL.

This position serves as a member of the OCL’s Core Reference Team in collaboration with the Assessment and Information Literacy Librarian, the Outreach and Student Success Librarian, the Information Literacy and Assessment, the East Asian Studies Librarian, and the Reference and Academic Commons Assistant. The incumbent provides individual reference services to students, faculty, and the wider community by staffing the Research Desk and conducting research appointments, and relevant course- related instruction sessions, in partnership with the faculty, that advance the teaching and learning mission of Oberlin College. This is a 12-month Administrative and Professional Staff position that reports to the Head of Research and Instruction.

The incumbent also serves as Public Services’ liaison to Collections and Resource Services.

Responsibilities

Curricular Support/Reference and Instruction

  • Provides information literacy instruction to support the curricular goals of the College and assist students in developing the necessary skills to become effective users of information.
  • Assists students in identifying appropriate scholarly resources related to course assignments and research.
  • Serves as a key collaborator in the implementation of an information literacy program that enables student success across established metrics.
  • Serves as the lead collaborator in the development and evaluation of an assessment program for all aspects of our public services that measures student success across established metrics, in partnership with the Core Reference Team.
  • Explores, design, and assess initiatives that optimize the user experience for students and faculty.
  • Builds relationships across the campus and works with researchers, research teams, and support services to design and deliver programs for students in partnership with the Outreach and Programming Librarian.
  • Works with faculty to identify and integrate appropriate information resources in the curriculum.
  • Co-designs learning objects that support curriculum and information literacy instruction.

Collections Initiatives

  • Serves as a lead collaborator in fostering an organizational culture that supports assessment and data-driven and reflective decision making.
  • Analyzes and interprets collections usage data.
  • Analyzes and reports quantitative and qualitative data from OCL user surveys, focus groups, interviews, anecdotal details, and vendor usage statistics.
  • Works with faculty, students and library staff to develop activities using scholarly resources, technologies and other tools that support teaching and scholarship.
  • Collaborates on maintaining and revising collection development plans.

User Experience Initiatives

  • Advocates for an exceptional user experience across the libraries’ digital platforms.
  • Conducts effective UX research to develop recommendations to enhance services.
  • Works in partnership with Collections and Resource Services to remedy issues related to patron access and discovery of resources.
  • Maintains knowledge of operating systems, programming languages, and software.
  • Serves as a point of contact for patron accessibility issues and work with the Office of Disability and Access to resolve to develop necessary accommodations.

Subject Liaison

  • Collaborates with the Collections Management Group to enhance OCL’s collection through the selection of high quality digital and print materials.
  • Cultivates a deep understanding of the resource needs of faculty and students; regularly consults with faculty regarding library resources.
  • Plays a key role in ongoing collection assessment and management activities, including collaborative planning.
  • Monitors collection development needs in assigned areas as department liaison.

Miscellaneous Duties

  • Maintains currency with library functions, resources, practices and procedures.
  • Contributes to the development of library programs, services, and expertise through participation in task forces, working groups, and implementation committees.
  • Contributes to the profession through active participation in relevant conferences, associations, and writing.
  • Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

  • Graduate degree in the field of library and information science from an ALA-accredited institution or equivalent
  • Knowledge of standard collection assessment and user experience methods and methodologies
  • Experience in reference and information literacy activities in an academic setting
  • Outstanding verbal, written, and presentation skills
  • Demonstrated record of creativity and innovative thinking
  • Competent with a variety of technologies
  • Outstanding interpersonal skills and abilities and comfortable working in a team environment
  • Strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion
  • User focused and committed to service excellence with all users

Desired Qualifications

  • Demonstrated experience developing and managing academic library assessment activities
  • Experience strategically enhancing the user experience for diverse academic communities
  • Experience interpreting usage data
  • Course related instruction experience
  • Demonstrated capacity for success in working with students, faculty, library colleagues, and administrators

Desired qualifications are not required. The Libraries are committed to helping staff acquire the skills they need to grow and develop in the position. Individuals with an interest in the position who meet the required qualifications are strongly encouraged to apply.

Quick Link for Posting

https://jobs.oberlin.edu/postings/14697

Compensation

Within the range established for this position, salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience and includes a competitive benefits package.

Special Instructions to Applicants

A complete application will be comprised of: 1) a Cover Letter, 2) a Curriculum Vitae; and 3) List of references.

Questions about the position can be addressed to Tracy Sutherland, [email protected]

To Apply

https://jobs.oberlin.edu/postings/14722

Documents Needed to Apply

Required Documents

  1. Cover Letter 
  2. Curriculum Vitae
  3. List of References

Optional Documents

  1. Letter of Intent
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