USCB Library is seeking a service-oriented, collegial research and instruction librarian. This position will collaborate with faculty in the creation of research and information literacy instruction, provide student and faculty consultations, and assist staff and community patrons with their research, assessment and instructional needs. The research and instruction librarian is responsible for creating, maintaining, and updating research guides, monitoring chat, answering research and instruction-related email, developing instructional materials, conducting outreach to market services, assisting with creating and hosting events, participating in delivering Makerspace activities and services, participating in collection development and maintenance, and collaborating with other USCB librarians in delivering and assessing service effectiveness. This position is also the coordinator for the library’s student success initiatives. This role is actively engaged in partnering with faculty, staff, and students to support student retention and progression. In addition, this position will coordinate the library’s engagement with Open Educational Resources (OER) as part of the library’s commitment to fostering student success .
The ideal candidate has a passion for working with students, interest in information literacy pedagogy and theory, comfort and curiosity for technology applications in libraries such as generative artificial intelligence, knowledge and engagement with OER, and familiarity and success with student success initiatives in academic libraries. This position is responsible for conducting targeted outreach activities that foster student success. These initiatives include partnering with campus entities such as the writing center, academic advising, tutoring services, and student affairs to create a holistic support network for at-risk students. In addition, this position will pursue curriculum integration and embedded support including leading faculty and student engagement with OER. This includes integrating library resources, tutorials, and research support into the Blackboard Learning Management System, designing and co-designing effective research assignments for in-person and online delivery, maintaining and expanding OER initiatives in the libraries, and fostering high-impact practices including specialized research consultations to support undergraduate research, capstone projects, and honors theses. This position is primarily located on the Bluffton Campus but will be expected to cover the Beaufort campus library when needed. The position is 37.5 hours a week. This position hours 10 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. M-F. Alternative hours, including evening and weekend hours, are on an as-needed basis.
Essential Duties
- Provides digital, and in-person research service and instruction for students, faculty, staff, and community users.
- Assists in managing the research and instruction requests for the libraries including instructing users in finding and evaluating appropriate print and electronic resources, answering research and other help desk questions using multiple communication methods including chat, email, Teams, and Blackboard.
- Coordinates the library’s student success initiatives. Manages the library’s assessment and evidence-based practice to measure the library’s impact on students’ success.
- Develops data-informed adjustments to the library’s data collection and analysis projects to ensure they measure the library’s impact on student success.
- Applies Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles to ensure the library’s digital instructional resources are accessible and inclusive.
- Mentors USCB students to provide peer research services and assist in designing and delivering student success initiatives and events in the USCB libraries and Makerspace.
- Designs and teaches library instruction sessions for classes in a variety of disciplines. Works closely with USCB instructional faculty to ensure that library instruction meets student needs and adheres to information literacy pedagogy standards.
- Creates and maintains LibGuides and other library resources in multiple formats (e.g., video).
- Creates library instruction tutorials and/or other digital learning objects for general research needs, specific programs, classes, or assignments.
- Creates, supports, and delivers library events that further university’s mission and goals.
- Creates library displays, library newsletters, and other library outreach materials as needed.
- Assists faculty with literature reviews and collection development needs.
- Evaluates and develops print and electronic collections for specific subjects.
- Participates in evaluating donations and weeding as needed.
- Occasionally provides coverage for circulation services including assisting patrons with circulation related transactions, handling fines, printing charges, item check-ins and check-outs, on weekdays, weekends, and evenings as needed.
- Responsible for closing the library when needed, including supervising support staff and assisting with opening or closing procedures.
- Provides coverage for the Beaufort campus library as needed.
- Provides supervision for student workers in the library as needed.
- Partners with faculty to discover, evaluate, and integrate high-quality OER and zero-cost library materials into their syllabi.
- Lead campus-wide awareness campaigns and workshops on textbook affordability, Creative Commons licensing, and OER platforms.
- Assist in redesigning course assignments to utilize open pedagogy, encouraging students to engage actively with course content.
- Track and report on student savings, adoption rates, and the impact of OER on course completion to demonstrate the library’s ROI to stakeholders.
Other Duties
- Trains and supervises support staff and student workers.
- Maintains statistics and reports on activities.
- Participates in professional service.
- Engages in professional development and scholarship activities.
- Other duties as assigned; these may include, but are not limited to, shelf-reading, participating in inventories, tagging books, etc.
Location
Works primarily on the Bluffton campus but also works at the Beaufort campus when needed.
Reports to
This position reports to the Director of Libraries.
Please be prepared to upload a cover letter, CV and a statement that reflects your philosophy of librarianship. As the search advances reference letters will also be required. Your references will be sent a link to upload their reference letter. Reference letters should be on official letterhead and signatures are required. Physical and digital signatures are acceptable, typed names will not be accepted.
