Library Positions: Faculty Positions

Job description for STEM Librarian

November 2022

STEM Librarian job description

This position is for a non-tenured faculty continuing appointment. The STEM Librarian will work with other liaison librarians to develop programs benefiting their communities to expand the Libraries’ research-related programs and services. Programming may focus on issues relevant to the STEM community in the following categories: information literacy, scholarly communication, GIS, Maker lab, etc.

Our library’s liaison librarians work to enable faculty and student researchers to discover and access relevant literature and data, analyze patterns of scholarly outputs in their disciplines, effectively manage their research data, better understand the needs of community stakeholders, and share the products of their research with the wider world. These roles will also help pioneer new services in the library.

The STEM Librarian responsibilities include information literacy instruction, subject-specialized and general reference, preparing LibGuides and learning objects and materials to support learning and research, and collection development and management of library resources in Engineering, and Environmental and Marine Sciences, and the physical sciences. This librarian is also expected to engage in scholarly and service activities expected of non-tenure-track librarians and participate in a library and campus community that is working not just to promote but to more fully realize diversity, equity, inclusion, and racial justice. This position will advocate for the Libraries to be more closely integrated into the entire educational and research process at the University of South Alabama, including research, coursework, grants, workshops, etc.

This position reports to the Director of the Marx Library. Some evening and weekend duties may be required.

Job responsibilities

Reference: Provides subject-specific reference service and research assistance in collaboration with the other public services librarians. Provides in-depth reference service to both undergraduate and graduate students and faculty in the above-named College, School, and disciplines. Some evening and weekend duties may be required.

Instruction: Initiates and provides instructional programs primarily for students and faculty in the above-named College, School, and disciplines. Provides individual and small-group consultation/instruction regarding Engineering, and Environmental and Marine Sciences, and physical sciences resources based on the ACRL Framework for Information Literacy for Higher Education. Participates in general library information literacy programs.

Required qualifications

Master's degree in Library and Information Science from an ALA-accredited institution, or international equivalent, by the time of appointment

Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills

Experience providing reference services and research help

Applied knowledge of the ACRL Framework for Information Literacy for Higher Education

Knowledge and familiarity with STEM, open science, and GIS data or data visualization

• Demonstrated experience in providing instruction, responsive and quality reference, digital, and collaborative library research services including consultations;

• Understanding of current and emerging trends in the assigned subject areas and in academic librarianship; knowledge of electronic resources and information technologies.

Ability to build collaborative and mutually beneficial working relationships with people of varying backgrounds; work effectively with faculty, students, professional colleagues and diverse academic groups; ability to advocate and promote library resources and services to a variety of constituents;

• Experience providing information and research services in an academic library (may be student internship experience)

• Knowledge of current and emerging instructional technologies

(Relevant experience may include, but is not limited to, academic libraries, teaching or research positions, corporate or laboratory settings, etc.) Demonstrated ability to work both independently and collaboratively. Excellent communication, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills. Demonstrated excellence in communicating across a diverse range of constituencies; initiative, flexibility, and a strong service orientation.

Evidence of a commitment to social justice, diversity, anti-racism, and inclusion in library practice

Preferred/Desired qualifications

Undergraduate degree in engineering or the sciences or equivalent training and experience;

Educational background in STEM;

Experience providing reference and library instruction services in STEM disciplines;

Teaching experience, which may include designing online resources, consulting with individual researchers or project teams, and planning in-person or virtual workshops or class sessions;

Demonstrated ability to carry out a liaison program through outreach, building relationships, and providing library services and support to diverse stakeholders;

Experience developing and evaluating service initiatives; demonstrated ability to use current technologies for delivering and developing library services, including course management systems and social media;

Demonstrated knowledge of Springshare products such as LibGuides, and a reference chat product;

Understanding of research trends and applications in e-science; demonstrated understanding of scholarly communication issues;

Demonstrated ability to manage projects and multiple tasks while meeting deadlines and solving problems in a rapidly changing environment.