Instructional Services Librarian

Please note that references provided at the time of application for staff positions will not be contacted until the applicant has been offered the position. 

The Instruction Services Librarian at Berea College provides reference assistance in person, via telephone, and online. They will provide instruction in information literacy to both individuals and classes. Library collection development, weeding of the collections, and managing student assistants during these duties are essential as well.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Regular and predictable attendance is essential. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  

• Design, develop, and deliver workshops, tutorials, and online research guides to support student learning both in-person and online.
• Provide in-person and virtual reference and research assistance, including assigned evening and weekend shifts.
• Teach instructional sessions and workshops on library resources, information literacy, and research skills across disciplines.
• Perform collection development and liaison duties, including evaluating, selecting, and weeding print, audiovisual, and electronic materials.
• Collaborate with faculty to identify, evaluate, and integrate high-quality Open Educational Resources (OER) and affordable course materials.
• Stay informed on current trends in academic librarianship and participate in ongoing professional development through organizations, research, and creative projects.
• Support student success through labor supervision, mentoring, and involvement in student-centered programs and activities.
• Contribute to campus service and governance through participation in departmental, divisional, and college-wide committees, initiatives, and program development.

• In support of Berea College’s great commitments, this position requires student supervision. The fourth great commitment is to promote learning and serving in the community through the student labor program, honoring the dignity and utility of all work, mental and manual, and taking pride in work well done. The Supervision would include scheduling, assigning, and approving work performed. Developing students' common workplace acumen and giving them tangible work experience is an expected outcome. To learn more about the student labor program and requirements for this position:  Labor Program Goals

Education required to ensure success in this position:

• A Master’s degree in Library Science from an ALA-accredited institution

• A minimum of 2 years combined work experience that includes the following elements is required: managing projects; bibliographic instruction, library reference consultation, collection development, and supervising student workers.

• Creativity, initiative, and interest in innovative approaches to reference/research assistance, library instruction, and liaison work. 
• Demonstrated understanding of issues and trends in reference and information literacy. 
• Strong understanding of pedagogy and best practices in information literacy. 
• Demonstrated excellent communication skills, both oral and written, with the ability to foster positive working relationships and build partnerships. 
• Demonstrated ability to work proactively and effectively with faculty. 
• Strong understanding of diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility initiatives for academic libraries. 
• Effective time, organizational, and project management skills with the ability to work independently and as a member of a collaborative team. 

• N/A

• N/A

• Campus wide environments, 
• Typical office environment

• N/A

Founded in 1855, Berea College is nationally recognized as the first coeducational and interracial college in the South. Berea has a longstanding commitment to interracial education and is one of the most racially diverse private liberal arts colleges in the United States. With an emphasis on service to Appalachia and beyond, Berea enrolls more than 1,500 students from 46 states and U.S. territories and more than 70 countries. Berea College admits students who are unable to afford tuition and provides all of them with a no-tuition promise, valued at more than $204,000. Berea’s students excel in the College’s supportive yet demanding academic environment, and most are the first in their families to attend college. As one of only nine federally recognized Work Colleges, all Berea students are expected to work 10-12 hours weekly in various positions across campus. Berea College is listed #20 in overall ranking in the U.S. by the Wall Street Journal/College Pulse college rankings, 2023. The Washington Monthly ranks Berea College #2 Best Liberal Arts College and #1 in Social Mobility, 2023. Money Magazine ranks Berea #20 Best Overall College and #10 for Best in the South, 2023. Berea College is also the only institution in Kentucky to receive the 5-Star Rating from Money Magazine, 2023.

Located where the Bluegrass Region meets the Cumberland Mountains, the town of Berea (pop. 16,000) lies forty miles south of Lexington and is approximately two hours from Cincinnati, Louisville, and Knoxville. More information about Berea College is available at www.berea.edu.

Berea College, in light of its mission in the tradition of impartial love and social equality, welcomes all people of the earth to learn and work here.

 

Berea College is always looking for talented, self-motivated individuals to join our team. If you think you are ready to be a part of an exciting team, then we encourage you to continue with this applicant friendly, online job application! 
 

Berea College is an Equal Opportunity Employer that recruits and hires qualified candidates without regard to race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, disability, or veteran status.