Social Science and Government Documents Liaison and Reference Librarian

Social Science Liaison and Reference Librarian, Georgetown University Library

 

The Georgetown University Library is an agile organization that respects the heritage of the past while anticipating the requirements of the 21st century. By providing preeminent services, collections, and spaces, the Library shapes the creation of knowledge, conserves culture for posterity, and transforms learning and research.

 

The Social Science Liaison and Reference Librarian The Social Science Liaison and Reference Librarian supports the teaching and research activities of the University by developing and managing--in all relevant formats--the Library's collection in Psychology, Education, Communications and other subject areas as assigned; by providing research, reference, and instructional services; and by coordinating the content and organization of appropriate Web pages. The incumbent also supports geospatial and quantitative research in the social sciences more broadly. The incumbent is also responsible for managing the library's participation in the Federal Deposit Library Program in which it is a selective depository selecting 19.5% (almost entirely electronic).  Employs current digital technologies and methodologies to enhance reference and instruction services--e.g., social networking tools, multimedia, data management, and learning management systems--in order to assist users in an increasingly online and data-driven environment. Reporting to the Head of Collections, Research and Instruction, the Social Science and Government Documents Liaison and Reference Librarian has duties that include but are not limited to:

 

Reference Services

 

Provides reference and information services in the humanities, social sciences, and business. Interprets and analyzes the information needs of students, faculty, and other users of Lauinger Library.

 

Recommends and directs users to appropriate sources of information.

 

Teaches Library Research sessions in subject areas congruent with collection responsibilities and creates bibliographic guides and other instructional materials.

 

Collection Development

 

Serves as the principal liaison to the following departments and programs of Georgetown University:Psychology, Communication, Culture and Technology, and other departments as assigned.

 

As a Bibliographer, develops collections in line with the pedagogical and research needs of the University, including the expansion of Digital Georgetown, and selects materials in identified subject areas.

 

Manage the library's participation in the Federal Deposit Library Program in which it is a selective depository selecting 19.5% (almost entirely electronic).

 

Works with faculty to learn more about and support their research and curricular needs, to keep them informed of the library's activities, and to integrate the library's resources into faculty research and curricular activities.

 

Contributes to the development of cooperative collection development programs with other libraries and library consortia.

 

Monitors collection development and scholarly publishing trends in research, libraries, and the commercial sector.

 

Monitors vendor approval plans, recommends annual allocations, and assists in monitoring the library materials budget in the assigned areas of responsibility.

 

Social Science Data

 

Provide instruction and expertise in the use of ArcGIS and geospatial data.

Provide instructional sessions and workshops on data management and the use of software to analyze statistical data sets.

Assist in the creation and support of Data Management Plans by university researchers.

Assist users with the use of statistical software in the analysis of data sets.

Provide workshops and other training opportunities to library staff as well as the university community.

Work with other library staff to develop and support digital scholarship and data services programs.

Library Instruction

 

Participates in library instruction programs by promoting these services in assigned areas, and by preparing and teaching course-specific and other types of reference and instruction sessions in a variety of formats.

 

Collaborates with faculty when possible to plan sessions and create teaching materials related to course assignments, as well as the library research and instruction program's curricular objectives.

 

Team-teaches sessions with faculty and collaborates with librarians.

 

Communicates effectively with students and faculty and assesses user understanding.

 

Uses a variety of means and appropriate mix of tools and adopts best practices to provide and deliver reference and instructional materials.

 

Conducts in-house training and workshops and participates in those given by others.

 

Requirements

 

Master's Degree in Library Science from an ALA-accredited institution

 

Preference for a second graduate degree in a relevant field of study, but an equivalent combination of years of work and/or other equivalent expertise will be considered.

 

2 years of experience working with social science collections in an academic or research library -- preference for collection development experience

 

Demonstrated experience in social science research methodologies, instruction, and public services

 

Demonstrated experience with using and assisting researchers with ArcGIS and one or more of the following: R, R Studio, SPSS, Python, Stata, SAS or other statistical programs. 

 

Experience with or demonstrated knowledge of data management requirements in the social sciences.

 

Familiarity with the selection and organization of federal government documents.

 

Demonstrated expertise in the use of web-authoring applications

 

Knowledge of current instructional and multimedia technologies

 

A high degree of computer literacy and demonstrated interest in the application of information technologies in the social sciences and humanities

 

Evidence of superior verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills

 

Superior analytical and problem-solving skills

 

Record of participation and/or contribution in library professional organizations

 

Strong commitment to service, and the ability to work collaboratively in a dynamic environment, with all levels of patrons and staff