Social Sciences Librarian I/II, Villanova University, (Villanova, PA)

Posted March 7, 2024

Villanova University’s Falvey Library seeks an enthusiastic, innovative, and collaborative professional to shape and deliver programs of library instruction, research assistance, scholarly outreach, and resource management in a dynamic academic library environment.

Reporting to the Director of Research Services and Scholarly Engagement, the Social Sciences Librarian serves as the library’s expert on research, learning culture, and information practices in the social sciences. The successful candidate will share their expertise through instruction and consultations and the design of educational resources to facilitate student and faculty scholarship. The incumbent will serve as liaison to the psychology and political science departments. In this role they will advocate for their constituents’ needs. They select, assess, and deselect assigned subject collections to support the research and curricular needs of faculty and students. They build and maintain collaborative relationships and develop innovative marketing strategies to ensure awareness of library services.

The Social Sciences Librarian participates in a collaborative model of reference and research support. They lead or coordinate one or more services, programs, committees, and/or initiatives and contribute to programs and initiatives of Falvey Library, Villanova University, and professional organizations, as appropriate.

Qualified candidates from diverse backgrounds and life experiences are encouraged to apply. Diversity and inclusion have been and will continue to be an integral component of Villanova University’s mission. The University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and seeks candidates who understand, respect and can contribute to the University’s mission and values.

The library offers flexible work schedules which allow some remote work. The University’s competitive benefits package includes tuition benefits among others. A 35-hour work week with the possibility of reduced work hours in summer.

Required Qualifications:

MLS or equivalent degree from an ALA-accredited institution, or an advanced degree in a relevant discipline with an interest in pursuing an alternative academic career in a library setting.
Excellent oral and written communication skills.
Excellent interpersonal skills, including ability to effectively collaborate with colleagues.
Demonstrated interest and enthusiasm for developing and maintaining relationships with diverse user communities.
Facility and independent exploration of appropriate technologies impacting higher education and academic libraries.
Collaborative approach to problem solving and working across organizational boundaries in service of user needs.
Independence and initiative in liaison work, including ability to be flexible and manage competing priorities.
Strong customer service skills including the ability to be responsive to service needs of constituents in a courteous and consistent manner.
Knowledge of and interest in the research needs, information sources, and software/tools in assigned area(s).
Experience in providing research/project consulting in assigned area(s).
Demonstrated ability to design and implement effective training modules/tools.
Interest in developing research-level collections in assigned area(s).
Clear understanding of discipline-specific research and scholarly communication practices.
Understanding of current issues, trends, and technologies impacting higher education and academic libraries.

Rank:

The successful candidate will be appointed an appropriate Librarian rank depending on qualifications and experience.

Environment:

Falvey Library is situated in the heart of campus and is central to academic life at Villanova University. Falvey, with a dedicated staff of approximately 50 FTE, is a friendly and exciting place to be that values work-life balance. The Library developed VuFind, an open-source ILS discovery layer, which is used by organizations world-wide, and was the university library recipient of the ACRL 2013 Excellence in Academic Libraries Award.

Villanova University is located on a beautiful 260-acre suburban campus close to Philadelphia and was founded in 1842 by the Order of Saint Augustine. Ranked among the nation’s top universities, Villanova supports its students’ intellectual growth and prepares them to become ethical leaders who create positive change everywhere life takes them.

Nominations and Applications:

To be considered, applicants must submit a cover letter, resume and list of three references with contact information via the Jobs at Villanova website: https://jobs.villanova.edu/postings/28147

This position is subject to the University’s background check policy.