American University Library invites applications from innovative, energetic, service-oriented librarians to fill a library continuing appointment faculty position at the rank of Assistant or Associate level beginning August 1, 2023. Rank will be dependent upon experience and stature in the field.
The International Studies Librarian will be the point person for research assistance, information literacy instruction & collection development in support of the undergraduate curriculum in the School of International Studies (SIS) & will work in partnership with the Graduate Political Science & International Studies Librarian to support faculty research. The International Studies Librarian will work closely with the faculty & administration of SIS to ensure that the University Library is able to meet their research & pedagogical needs & to increase awareness of library resources & services. In collection development, the International Studies Librarian reviews & selects research materials to support faculty & student research in international studies & actively engages with vendors. This position provides high-level subject-specific research assistance to SIS faculty & undergraduate students, as well as basic research assistance to all students & faculty. The International Studies Librarian teaches subject specific instruction sessions & participates in the baseline information literacy instruction for all students. The International Studies Librarian creates appropriate online tools to support SIS students & faculty & supports interdisciplinary initiatives across academic units, for example research centers, that require expertise in international studies librarianship. This position serves on library cross-functional teams & participates in decisions that affect the overall research materials collection. The International Studies Librarian assists all relevant entities in self-studies & reaccreditation.
The International Studies Librarian is a member of Research, Teaching & Learning (RTL) & reports to the Associate Director of RTL. As a member of RTL, the International Studies Librarian also participates in broader initiatives as part of the library.
Library faculty members participate in university governance activities. The International Studies Librarian also consults regularly with SIS teaching faculty & administrators. The International Studies Librarian actively supports DEI initiatives within the University Library & within SIS. Continuing Appointment library faculty members are expected to contribute to the profession of librarianship, & to participate in campus-wide & library-wide activities.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities
Provide Information Literacy Instruction
Support SIS by teaching integrated information literacy sessions for undergraduate classes within SIS.
Work with SIS Faculty to develop instructional materials for information literacy, g.tutorials, course LibGuides, & rubrics.
As a liaison to SIS, work with appropriate committees, administrators, & faculty to incorporate information literacy learning objectives & intervention appropriately into the undergraduate 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 & analysis projects, & pedagogical explorations, other instruction as needed.
Provide Research Support & Outreach Services to the SIS Community
Partner with the SIS community to discover information resources & data through consulting with undergraduate students & faculty on research projects, providing research assistance, facilitating access to online resources, & finding information resources through individual consultations (in person & online) & through email.
Support any undergraduate student or faculty member, regardless of departmental affiliation, with consultations concerning advanced subject specific research requiring international studies information resources.
Provide consultations on best practices & resources to accomplish research activities.
Work with appropriate stakeholders to develop new library programs to best serve the research needs of SIS faculty & undergraduate students, such as services that support digital scholarship.
Participate in department-wide services to serving the broader AU community & public with basic research assistance.
Participate in outreach programs in person & online. Provide support & outreach to research centers.
Curate the International Studies Collection
Purchase materials required to support the curriculum of the SIS, the research of the faculty, & the long-term research needs of the university as related to resources related to international studies.
Appropriately de-select or cease subscriptions to international studies information resources in relationship to the budget, the curriculum, the research needs of the faculty, long-term commitments to the regional & national intellectual record, & trends in publishing.
Partner with the Graduate Political Science & International Studies librarian to ensure the collection also meets the graduate programs in SIS.
Serve on the library body that oversees the overall university library collection, excepting special collections & archives.
Develop & Manage Web Based Resources
Develop & maintain web pages related to international studies information resources & services on the LibGuides platform.
Consult with stakeholders on any changes to the enterprise systems that impact access to international studies information resources.
Other Duties
Potential supervisory responsibilities
The incumbent may be asked to perform other duties as operational needs arise.
Application Instructions
This institution is using Interfolio’s By Committee to conduct this search. Applicants to this position receive a free Dossier account and can send all application materials, including confidential letters of recommendation, free of charge. To apply, please submit a cover letter, resume, and names, email addresses and telephone numbers of three references.
For help in signing up, accessing your account, or submitting your application, please check out our help and support section or get in touch via email at help@interfolio.com or phone at (877) 997-8807.
Should you have any questions, please reach out to the Search Chair, Melissa Becher, <mbecher@american.edu>. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.
American University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution that operates in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. The university does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy), age, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, personal appearance, gender identity and expression, family responsibilities, political affiliation, source of income, veteran status, an individual’s genetic information or any other bases under federal or local laws (collectively “Protected Bases”) in its programs and activities.
American University is a tobacco and smoke free campus.
Hiring offers for this position are contingent on the successful completion of a background check.
American University is required to comply with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act). In accordance with the Clery Act, each year American University prepares an Annual Security Report. This report contains campus crime statistics as well as descriptions of Public Safety's services. It is available to all applicants upon request by calling the Department of Public Safety at 202-885-2537 or the Annual Security Report is also available online.
Qualifications
American Library Association (ALA) accredited master’s degree
Preferred Experience
Professional experience in an academic or research institution is highly preferred.
Deep knowledge of current and emerging ideas, practices, trends and technologies that support International Studies librarianship.
Competency in languages in addition to English is preferred.
Ability to understand, anticipate, and respond to priorities and trends in the library, university and academia regarding international studies librarianship.
Must be able to work independently and collaboratively.
Demonstrated research assistance experience or training is required.
Evidence of potential for professional contributions and ongoing professional development is essential.
