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Research Librarian for Interdisciplinary Studies

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Position description

The University of California, Irvine Libraries seeks a creative, knowledgeable, collaborative, and user-oriented Research Librarian for Interdisciplinary Studies (RLIS) to plan and deliver innovative reference and instruction services, and to develop and manage excellent electronic, multimedia, and print collections in interdisciplinary studies in the humanities and social sciences. The RLIS will actively engage with faculty, students, and staff in several departments within the School of Humanities and School of Social Sciences, including Chicano/Latino Studies, African-American Studies, Gender and Sexuality Studies, Spanish & Portuguese, Language Science, and Religious Studies. The RLIS may engage with additional departments depending on the successful candidate’s areas of strength. In addition to liaison initiatives to academic departments, the RLIS will engage with outreach and instructional initiatives as member of the Department of Education and Outreach (E&O). They will also be the Libraries’ liaison to the Graduate Division which supports UCI graduate students and postdocs. They will work with the E&O Department Head to develop strategies and assessment for library outreach and instruction to graduate students and post docs and will work collaboratively with other research librarians on its implementation.

Qualified candidates from diverse backgrounds and life experiences are encouraged to apply. The UCI Libraries is committed to recruiting a diverse workforce and advancing UCI’s Commitment to Inclusive Excellence, https://uci.edu/diversity/index.php.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The RLIS will be a member of the Department of Education and Outreach (E&O), reporting to the Head of E&O. The core responsibilities of the position are as follows:

  • Serve as a liaison to faculty and students in assigned subject areas to ensure that their information needs are being met and to promote the Libraries’ services and resources.
  • Serve as liaison to the Graduate Division and develop strategies and assessment for library outreach and instruction to graduate students and post docs.
  • Provide specialized instruction, research consultations, and reference services to assigned departments and programs.
  • Analyze trends in research, teaching, scholarly communications, and publishing in assigned areas.
  • Select, assess, and manage collections and resources for assigned disciplines to support teaching and research needs on campus.
  • Develop and update subject guides in support of research in assigned subject areas.
  • Participate in the Libraries’ instruction program for students enrolled in lower-division writing courses and other information literacy initiatives.
  • Maintain sufficient knowledge to provide general reference assistance in a variety of modes including in-person and digital reference.
  • Collaborate with librarians and staff throughout the Libraries in many departments, including Collection Strategies, Reference, Special Collections and Archives, Digital Scholarship Services, and Communications and Events on projects that further the strategic goals of the UCI Libraries.

Furthermore, as a member of the Department of Education and Outreach, the RLIS will join a team focused on developing, planning, promoting, delivering, and assessing the Libraries’ information literacy and student outreach programs. The RLIS will keep abreast of trends in information literacy, pedagogy, instructional design, and/or instructional technology to further the mission of the department and the UCI Libraries.

Qualifications
Required:

  • Graduate degree in library science from an ALA-accredited institution or an equivalent combination of relevant advanced degree and library experience.
  • Educational experience in an interdisciplinary studies subject area or equivalent library experience.
  • Proficiency in Spanish language.
  • Successful teaching experience in a library or in higher education.
  • Demonstrated understanding of the ACRL Framework for Information Literacy, and interest in critical and emerging pedagogies and new modes of instructional assessment.
  • Strong understanding of key issues in collection development and scholarly communications in interdisciplinary studies.
  • Strong interest in working with students and faculty.
  • Ability to provide effective specialized reference and instruction in interdisciplinary fields.
  • Strong interest in the development and provision of library services for graduate students and postdoctoral scholars.
  • Commitment to user-centered library services.
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
  • Ability to work creatively, collaboratively, and effectively and to promote teamwork, diversity, equality, and inclusiveness within UCI Libraries and the campus.
  • Ability to meet the University of California criteria for advancement and promotion.

Preferred:

  • Advanced degree in an interdisciplinary studies subject area.
  • Experience supporting one or more interdisciplinary subjects in an academic library.
  • Experience managing or leading projects.
  • Experience with instructional design.
  • Reading knowledge of one or more of the following languages: Portuguese, Arabic, Persian, Hebrew, Armenian.

The Department of Education and Outreach

The Education and Outreach Department leads the UCI Libraries’ outreach and instruction activities and programs, which emphasize information literacy, research skills, scholarly communication, and critical thinking. The Department coordinates, integrates, and assesses library instruction and outreach activities, including subject-based, graduate, and professional school instruction. The Department operates in a collaborative, team-based environment and works closely with members of the Libraries’ Reference, Collection Strategies, Special Collections and Archives, and Digital Scholarship Services Departments in order to fulfill its mission. The Department consists of 5 librarians including the Department Head and 1.5 library assistants.

The UCI Libraries

At the heart of the University of California, Irvine’s academic community, the UCI Libraries plays a vital role in enabling our outstanding students, faculty and researchers to create new knowledge, develop lifelong learning skills, and make meaningful contributions to society. We value innovation and collaboration, and we are committed to fostering an environment that promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion.

The Libraries physical spaces consist of the Langson Library, the Science Library, the Library Gateway Study Center, and the Grunigen Medical Library. These locations provide a welcoming and technology enhanced environment valued by students as places for study, research, and collaboration. Together they contain over 3,300 public seats, over 500 public access computers, laptop computers for checkout, and a wide range of multimedia resources including 3D printers. The library collection consists of over 3.9 million volumes, 180,000 journals and serial titles, and an ever expanding collection of electronic books, databases, and other resources. Our public website is a portal to access e-resources; discover print, archival, and multi-media collections; and connect with reference and instructional services. It also includes cutting edge digital tools and tutorials and numerous subject specific research guides created by subject specialists. The UCI Libraries employs approximately 171 full-time librarians and staff and over 174 part-time student assistants. We support the professional and career development of librarians and staff.

The UCI Libraries are a member of the: Association of Research Libraries (ARL), California Digital Library (CDL), HathiTrust Digital Library, Center for Research Libraries (CRL), Coalition of Networked Information (CNI), Digital Library Federation (DLF), Council on Library and Information Resources (CLIR), Scholarly Publishing & Academic Resources Coalition (SPARC), Pacific Rim Research Libraries Alliance (PRRLA), International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA), National Information Standards Organization (NISO), and OCLC Research Library Partnership (OCLC RLP).

University of California, Irvine

The University of California, Irvine, is nestled in over 1,500 acres of coastal foothills, five miles from the Pacific Ocean, between San Diego and Los Angeles. Founded in 1965, UCI has a total of 35,958 undergraduate and graduate students and about 1,600 faculty and staff. Nearly 67% of UCI students identify themselves as Asian American, African American, Chicano/Latino, or Native American. Over 50% of UCI’s Bachelor Degrees are awarded to first generation college students. The New York Times ranks UCI as the #1 college doing the most for the American Dream. The University offers graduate degrees in more than 100 academic disciplines and interdisciplinary programs in addition to the M.D. and J.D. Many of UCI’s academic programs are ranked nationally among the top universities and several doctoral programs are ranked in the top ten.

Librarians at UCI are academic appointees and receive potential career status at the time of their initial appointment. Non-managerial librarians are represented by an exclusive bargaining agent, University Council – American Federation of Teachers (UC-AFT). This is a represented position.

Librarians periodically receive administrative and peer review for merit increases based on the following criteria: 1) professional competence and quality of service within the Library; 2) professional activity outside the Library; 3) university and public service; and 4) research and other creative activity.

*Salary & Benefits: * Salary commensurate with qualifications and experience based on the University of California pay scales. Appointment is anticipated to be at the Assistant Librarian or Associate Librarian rank with a salary of $55,014 - $82,045.

Librarians are entitled to two days per month of annual leave, thirteen paid holidays, and one day per month sick leave. The University has an excellent retirement system and offers a variety of group health, life, and disability insurance plans. Benefits are equal to approximately 45% of salary.

Consideration will be given to applicants with a wide range of years of experience, including qualified early career librarians.

Deadline for Applications: Applications received by January 15, 2020 will receive first consideration.

To Apply: Qualified applicants who wish to be considered for this position should submit the information requested: cover letter; complete résumé; a statement that addresses past and/or potential contributions to diversity, equity, and inclusion; and a list of three references (names and contact information only) via UCI AP Recruit at: https://recruit.ap.uci.edu/JPF05855.

Upon application, candidates should be in possession of proof of their legal right to employment in the U.S. In compliance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, verification of legal right to work will be required between the time of final selection and hiring, and is absolutely essential in ultimately being hired.

This position description is listed on the UCI Libraries web site at http://www.lib.uci.edu/about/jobs/librarian-vacancies.html with links to additional web sites featuring campus and community information.

The University of California, Irvine is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer advancing inclusive excellence. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories covered by the UC nondiscrimination policy.

Application Requirements

Document requirements
  • Cover Letter - Please address your qualifications for this position in a cover letter.

  • Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated CV – resume style preferred.

  • Inclusive Excellence Activities Statement - Statement addressing how past and/or potential contributions to diversity will advance UCI's Commitment to Inclusive Excellence. Please see the UCI Libraries' Diversity Statement and Diversity Plan.

  • List of reference contacts - Names of 3 potential references including contact information and brief statement of relationship to the applicant. Do not include letters of recommendation here.

Job location

Irvine, CA