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Assistant/Associate Librarian, Public Services and Instruction & Unit Lead

Assistant/Associate Librarian, Public Services and Instruction & Unit Lead

University of Arizona Libraries Job Location: Arizona Apply By: 09/20/2022 Date Created: 09-02-2022

The University of Arizona Libraries seeks an innovative, collaborative, and user-centered Public Services and Instruction Librarian and Unit Lead for the Public Services and Instruction Unit in Special Collections. This position will develop Special Collections’ public services including instruction, reference, events, and exhibitions. This position provides leadership for instruction efforts as well as managing and coordinating all aspects of Special Collections’ reading room and reference services. The responsibilities for this position also include managing the Special Collections exhibitions and events program and assisting with tours and outreach events. The Public Services and Instruction Librarian will collaborate with colleagues across the University Libraries, as well as with complementary units within Special Collections to support the teaching, learning, and research mission of the University. As unit lead, they will oversee public services operations and work to collaboratively establish priorities, improve services and manage workflows. They will be responsible for shaping a programmatic vision for public services and instruction in consultation with Special Collections and library colleagues.  This is a new unit for Special Collections and it is expected that the successful candidate will dedicate concerted effort at the start of their tenure on service set up and development.  Unit Lead responsibilities will be allocated at approximately 15% FTE and will include managing unit operations as well as supervising 2 full-time employees (1 staff and 1 faculty) and providing oversight for approximately seven student workers who support the unit. This position will report to the Head of Special Collections. This is a continuing-eligible or continuing status track, academic professional position. Incumbents are members of the general faculty and are entitled to all accompanying rights and privileges granted by the Arizona Board of Regents and the University of Arizona. Retention and promotion are earned through achievement of a record of excellence in position effectiveness, scholarship, and service. CHARACTERISTIC DUTIES
  • Provides operational leadership for the Public Services and Instruction Unit in collaboration with the department head, including supervision of staff and faculty in the unit, performance management, and ongoing mentorship and coaching for unit members.
  • Works with department leadership and members of the unit to define and advance the unit’s mission, vision, and goals.
  • Manages and participates in all aspects of public services operations in Special Collections including reference, reading room, permissions, collection security, and creating and implementing policies and training documentation.
  • Leads the development of procedures and data collection practices to support the assessment of instruction, public services and operational impacts of Special Collections.
  • Provides leadership for the instruction efforts of Special Collections to develop and deliver effective library instruction to undergraduate, graduate, K-12 students and community members in accordance with ACRL standards for primary Source Literacy.
  • Creates interpretive content and teaches research methodology, primary source literacy, and interpretative skills using pedagogical methodologies and best practices.
  • Provides leadership in training Special Collections faculty and staff to expand the effective use, promotion, pedagogic application, and handling of special collections materials in library instruction.
  • Leads training and coordination of LibGuide development in conjunction with LibGuide Oversight group.
  • Provides leadership in establishing instruction priorities and guidelines for Special Collections in collaboration with Special Collections colleagues/faculty, the Student, Learning, and Engagement department and the Academic Liaison Group.
  • In consultation with Special Collections staff and faculty, coordinates and assists with scheduling of instruction sessions, assists in tracking student appointments and material requests for classes.
  • Works with curators and others to manage exhibition gallery, develop exhibition workflows, and associated events. Provides procedures for tracking exhibition materials and installation/de-installation of materials.
  • Works with Collections Management Archivist to track loaned materials.
  • Participates in promoting and marketing Special Collections’ programming and services through tours, presentations, publications, social media, and other appropriate means in collaboration with the Library’s Marketing Communications and Events Department.
  • Other duties as assigned.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES 
  • Familiar with library and archival preservation and conservation standards and best practices for the storage, transportation, and exhibition of works on paper, digitized material, born-digital content, and other special formats
  • Working knowledge of the basic history, theory, and best practices related to materials found in special collections research libraries
  • Familiar with the pedagogical skills required to provide effective Special Collections instruction
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including flexibility and temperament to handle in-person interactions with a diverse clientele
  • Strong commitment to customer service, community engagement, and teamwork
  • Ability to balance and complete multiple concurrent projects, set priorities and adapt to a rapidly changing environment
  • Knowledge of research techniques for primary source materials
  • Knowledge of and commitment to the standards, ethics, security guidelines, and best practices from professional groups such as ACRL’s Rare Books and Manuscripts Section and the Society of American Archivists
  • Knowledge of Ex Libris’ Alma and Primo
  • Ability to work in a highly collaborative and inclusive environment, one that values and leverages the benefits of diverse perspectives
  • Positive attitude and strong demonstration of Our Values: Collaboration, Continuous Learning, Diversity, Innovation, and Integrity
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
  • ALA-accredited master’s degree in library and information science
  • Management or supervisory experience
  • Experience providing effective public services in a special collections repository to a diverse clientele including faculty, undergraduate, graduate students and members of the public
  • Evidence of the ability to achieve continuing status (equivalent to tenure), including contributing to the information/library profession and to fulfilling the responsibilities of a library faculty member through service and scholarship
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
  • Spanish language fluency: written, reading and spoken
  • At least three years of experience related to archival reference work, instruction and / or public services in a special collections environment
  • Formal coursework or training/professional development in primary source literacy, object-based pedagogical strategy, and/or active learning techniques using primary sources and/or special collections.
  • Teaching experience
  • Experience documenting and implementing procedures and policies

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