Humanities and Social Science Librarian

Description

 

American University Library invites applications from innovative, energetic, and service-oriented librarians to fill a library continuing appointment faculty position for the College of Arts and Sciences [CAS], beginning Spring 2024, subject to budgetary approval. Rank will be dependent upon experience and stature in the field at either assistant or associate level.

 

Responsibilities: The Humanities and Social Sciences Librarian will be the point person for research assistance, information literacy instruction, and collection development in support of the following departments within the College of Arts and Sciences [CAS]: Anthropology; Critical Race, Gender and Culture Studies; History; Jewish Studies; Literature; Philosophy and Religion; Sociology; World Languages and Culture. (The specific departments supported may change as a result of changes in the College of Arts and Sciences). The Humanities and Social Sciences Librarian will work closely with the faculty and administration of the CAS departments to ensure that the University Library is able to meet their research and pedagogical needs and to increase awareness of library resources and services. In collection development, the Humanities and Social Sciences Librarian reviews and selects research materials to support faculty and student research in Anthropology; Critical Race, Gender and Culture Studies; History; Literature; Philosophy and Religion; Sociology; World Languages and Culture, and actively engages with vendors. This position provides high-level subject-specific research assistance to CAS faculty and students, as well as basic research assistance to all students and faculty. The Humanities and Social Sciences Librarian teaches subject-specific instruction sessions and participates in baseline information literacy instruction for all students. The Humanities and Social Sciences Librarian creates appropriate online tools to support CAS students and faculty and supports interdisciplinary initiatives across academic units, for example, research centers, that require expertise in humanities and social sciences librarianship. This position serves on library cross-functional teams and participates in decisions that affect the overall research materials collection. The Humanities and Social Sciences Librarian assists all relevant entities in self-studies and reaccreditation.

 

The Humanities and Social Sciences Librarian is the coordinator for library services for American University’s Honors program, including the Frederick Douglas Distinguished Scholars Program. As such, the Humanities and Social Sciences Librarian serves on appropriate university committees.

 

The Humanities and Social Sciences Librarian is a member of Research, Teaching, and Learning (RTL) and reports to the Associate Director of RTL. As a member of RTL, the Humanities and Social Sciences Librarian also participates in broader initiatives as part of the library.

 

Library faculty members participate in university governance activities. The Humanities and Social Sciences Librarian also consult regularly with CAS teaching faculty and administrators. The Humanities and Social Sciences Librarian actively supports DEI initiatives within the University Library and within CAS. Continuing Appointment library faculty members are expected to contribute to the profession of librarianship and to participate in campus-wide and library-wide activities.

 

Primary Duties and Responsibilities (80%):

Provide Information Literacy Instruction:

• Support CAS by teaching integrated information literacy sessions for undergraduate and graduate classes within the supported CAS departments.
• Work with CAS faculty in supported departments to develop instructional materials for information literacy,e.g. tutorials, course LibGuides, and rubrics.
• As a liaison to Anthropology; Critical Race, Gender, and Culture Studies; History; Jewish Studies; Literature; Philosophy and Religion; Sociology; World Languages and Culture, work with appropriate committees, administrators, and faculty to incorporate information literacy learning objectives and intervention appropriately into the curriculum.
• Teach baseline information literacy skills to Writing Studies classes.
• Participate in departmental information literacy initiatives as a member of RTL, e.g. walk-in workshops, assessment and analysis projects, and pedagogical explorations, other instruction as needed.

Provide Research Support and Outreach Services to the CAS and Social Sciences Community:

• Partner with the CAS Humanities and Social Sciences community to discover information resources and data through consulting with students and faculty on research projects, providing research assistance, facilitating access to online resources, and