Research Services Coordinator/Associate Professor - Chicago State University

Chicago State University's Gwendolyn Brooks Library seeks an innovative, energetic, student success-oriented, collaborative, professionally engaged information professional with extensive experience in reference and instruction services for the leadership position of Research Services Coordinator, a 12-month, tenure-track faculty position. The rank at the time of appointment will depend upon qualifications and years of experience. Reporting to the Chair of Library and Instruction Services and under the administrative direction of the Dean of Library and Instruction Services, the Research Services Coordinator is responsible for leading a small team of research and instruction librarians with a primary focus on reference and research services. The successful candidate will be joining the ranks of the library faculty at a pivotal moment as the Research & Instruction Services unit is in the process of implementing a new reference service model. The Research Services Coordinator will be expected to work in collaboration with the Instruction Services Coordinator, particularly in the area of scheduling.

Chicago State University (CSU), founded in 1867, is the oldest public university in the Chicago Metropolitan area. CSU is the only four-year U.S. Department of Education-designated Predominantly Black Institution (PBI) in the state of Illinois. The university’s four colleges are Arts and Sciences, Business, Education, and Health Sciences & Pharmacy, which collectively support a diverse and non-traditional student population that hails from 28 countries and 36 states. The University recently received a Carnegie classification of Research University. Located on the South Side of Chicago, Chicago State University is an oasis of green in the big city, and the campus is mass transit accessible, with a Metra stop on the edge of campus. The Gwendolyn Brooks Library has a collection of over 500,000 volumes, eighty percent of which are stored in an Automated Storage and Retrieval System (ASRS), which has the nickname ROVER (Retrieval Online Via Electronic Robot). Electronic resources include over 40,000 eBooks, over 150 databases providing access to thousands of journal and newspaper articles, and microform and audiovisual materials. The librarians at the Gwendolyn Brooks Library actively participate in shared governance of the University and are represented by the same union as other faculty and academic support professionals.

The successful candidate will be responsible for the following:

• Leading a team of research and instruction librarians in the delivery of reference and research services
• Assuming a leadership role in advancing the new service model for reference services that is currently being piloted
• Managing the on-call librarian schedule
• Setting hours of service for on-call reference services and research consultation appointments
• Reviewing and/or setting policies and procedures as necessary
• Drafting/Reviewing/Approving any communications related to reference services
• Updating Reference Desk voicemail announcements as needed
• Revising the Reference Handbook as needed
• Reviewing and updating reference services-related LibGuides such as the Student Guide
• Maintaining the Reference Collection
• Serving on the Collections Committee
• Supervising and training student employees, as necessary, to enhance their academic and professional development
• Other duties as assigned (e.g. on-call reference services, library instruction, research consultations, subject liaison, subject selection)

Required Qualifications:

• MLS or equivalent degree from an ALA-accredited institution
• A minimum of six consecutive years of professional experience in reference and instruction services
• Strong commitment to quality reference and instruction services
• Proven experience with in-person and virtual reference services; proven library instruction experience
• Demonstrated ability to interact effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds
• Demonstrated familiarity with emerging trends in reference service and library information technology
• Experience working with Springshare LibApps (e.g., LibGuides, LibAnswers, LibWizard, LibInsight)
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment; excellent oral and written communication, interpersonal, organizational, time management, analytical, and problem-solving skills; aptitude for detail-oriented work; high degree of initiative; and ability to identify and implement appropriate changes within a dynamic environment
• Successful candidate must meet contractual and unit criteria for performance of primary duties, research, and service.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Applicant currently holds or recently held a position in reference and instruction services.
• Ten years or more of professional experience in reference and instruction services
• Leadership experience
• Experience with student success initiatives
• Experience with virtual or remote library instruction
• Experience with collection development
• Liaison or collection development experience in the sciences
• Experience with university outreach and engagement
• Project management experience
• Assessment experience
• To qualify for tenure, the successful candidate must hold a second master’s degree or have earned a second master’s degree prior to applying for tenure, which typically occurs in January of the candidate’s sixth year unless the candidate is eligible to seek early tenure. CSU offers master’s degrees in a range of disciplines, and CSU employees are eligible for tuition waiver.
• Educational background in one of the following areas: sciences; health sciences
• Second master’s degree in one of the following degree fields: sciences; health sciences; instructional design
• Evidence of active engagement in professional service
• Evidence of active engagement in professional development

Annual Salary: $75,000 to $90,000 (depending on rank)

To apply, please submit a current CV, a cover letter explaining how you meet the requirements for the position, and a list of at least three professional references (with at least one from a current or former supervisor) at: https://chicagostate.peopleadmin.com/postings/16409

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Questions may be directed to the search committee chair, Rosalind Fielder-Giscombe, Associate Professor and Research & Instruction Services Coordinator, via email at: rfielder@csu.edu