Research and Instruction Librarian - McKendree University

McKendree University seeks a dynamic, engaged, and student-centered Research and Instruction Librarian located at its Lebanon, IL campus. This is a full-time, benefits eligible position.

The successful candidate will foster responsible citizenship, ignite curiosity, and encourage students to develop into forward-thinking and engaged individuals.

Reporting to the Director of the Library, the Research and Instruction Librarian provides information literacy instruction and research services to a diverse base of students, faculty, and staff. The incumbent has a commitment to excellence in teaching, which includes an understanding of individual student needs. The librarian in this position reports to the Director of Holman Library and works on a 12-month contract with occasional weekend and evening hours.

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provides reference and research assistance with library resources in person or via phone, email, text, chat, or online learning platforms and course management software.
• Serves on the library’s reference desk and staffs virtual chat when available during working hours.
• Promotes, plans, and conducts library instruction classes/sessions for face-to-face and online classes.
• Works with faculty to incorporate library instruction into their courses.
• Creates instructional materials to support classwork.
• Produces library instruction tutorials and guides for majors and courses. 
• Serves as embedded librarian in course management software when appropriate for asynchronous or synchronous classes. 
• Incorporates emerging and mobile technologies into instruction and research support services.
• Creates assessment tools to measure the effectiveness of library instruction. 
• Interprets results of assessment and makes changes to instruction sessions as needed. Maintains records of assessment results. 
• Uses ACRL Information Literacy Framework and other ACRL tools to conduct assessments.
• Assesses student information literacy skills and develops learning objectives and outcomes for library instruction program.
• Supports open communication and outreach with students, faculty and staff. Leads promotion of library resources, services, and events via campus advertising, outreach programming, and library displays.
• Creates and maintains research guides and library information on LibGuides platform.
• Serves as lead for LibGuide development and expansion.
• Contributes to collection development efforts in the library. Helps to select materials that support the curriculum.
• Prepares monthly database usage statistics and annual instruction and reference statistics for reports to the Director of the Library and others.
• Works with database vendors to resolve connectivity and content issues.
• Maintains e-Resources on the backend, including Primo VE discovery layers and functions.
• Performs other duties as assigned, including but not limited to assistance at the circulation desk when needed, participating in library staff meetings, and attending faculty meetings and serving on faculty committees.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• MLS from an ALA-accredited library school.
• Experience providing library research assistance and library instruction services.
• Demonstrated knowledge of online databases and reference resources
• Experience with integrated library systems and computer technologies, including a basic understanding of the delivery of library services via the Internet.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of online databases, e-resources and emerging technologies.
• Familiar with integrated library systems, content management systems and website development.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work within a team environment.
• Ability to work with a diverse population.
• Ability to investigate and solve problems independently.
• Demonstrates strong service orientation.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Second master’s degree in an academic area relevant to the McKendree curriculum.
• Experience using Ex-Libris/Alma/PRIMO VE integrated library systems, content management systems [D2L Brightspace preferred], and the use of emerging and mobile technologies in providing library services
• Experience in website development
• Experience creating content on the LibGuide platform.

WORK HOURS/CONDITIONS:

Library/Office environment; 40-hour work week; may include evenings and weekends. Work schedule varies due to library hours.

McKendree University, Illinois’ first and finest, is a private university in Lebanon, IL, just 25 minutes from downtown St. Louis, home of the 11-time World Series champs (St. Louis Cardinals) and the 2019 Stanley Cup winner (St. Louis Blues). St. Louis also boasts a wonderful zoo, a first-rate botanical garden, a vibrant art scene (both performing and visual), and a plethora of top-notch restaurants.

Interested candidates should send a letter of interest referencing job #RIL05 with a resume/CV and contact information for three professional references to the Director of Human Resources at hr@mckendree.edu.

McKendree is an ADA/EEO/Vet/Disabled employer committed to enhancing the cultural and gender diversity of the campus. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply.