General Information
The Library and Information Resources Network (LIRN) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit consortium serving education since 1997. We offer our members unrivaled value for resources, a team of caring library experts, and future-focused technology services. Today, LIRN serves over 300 institutions in 43 states, 4 territories, and 7 nations. LIRN’s consortium Librarian Service provides remote librarians to subscribing institutions to either augment their existing library staff or serve as their primary librarian staff/entire library operational solution. Higher-Education institutions that subscribe to our consortium Librarian Service receive accreditation review and readiness services and support, data for the IPEDS Academic Library Survey, online reference/research support, synchronous and asynchronous learning and instruction through various mediums such as videos, handouts, and guides, assistance with curriculum projects, and professional development training for faculty.
LIRN’s other services include: providing volume pricing discounts on library research databases and applications, providing IT infrastructure for access to licensed content, and offering technical support to ensure that library resources are accessible.
Description
LIRN is hiring for a full-time Librarian to join our librarian team. Reporting to the Library Services Team Leader, we are seeking a higher-education Librarian with experience supporting graduate and postgraduate student research and coursework, leading synchronous virtual instruction and webinars, and creating asynchronous online learning objects such as videos, handouts, guides, and learning modules. This position also requires experience supporting students and faculty via virtual reference/instruction.
The successful candidate must embrace technology, have a keen eye for detail, be familiar with technology and applications used for online collaboration and communication, and demonstrate excellent library research and instructional skills. We are looking for someone who is adaptive and flexible, has excellent communication skills, and is enthusiastic and passionate. This position requires the ability to work independently and collaboratively in a remote environment and culture.
Through LIRN’s consortium Librarian Service, our librarians support multiple higher-education institutions. Duties include but are not limited to:
Promotes Library Services
- Virtually trains students, faculty, and staff, across multiple higher-education institutions on the utilization of library resources and research tools facilitating the development of information literacy and critical thinking skills (focusing on general library orientation content to more advance content supporting the research needs of undergraduate to post graduate students);
- Utilizes queue-based ticketing systems, and/or live support to provide online reference/research instruction for students, faculty, and staff;
- Creates learning objects in numerous disciplines in various forms following branding and standards;
- Assists multiple institutions in identifying resources to support their curricula;
- Collaborates with instructors on curriculum development;
- Compiles usage reports; and
- Pulls title lists to identify resources that support programs of study at various program levels.
Contributes to Member Retention Efforts
- Demonstrates respect for diversity of all student, faculty, and staff populations across all member institutions;
- Identifies reoccurring themes made visible as a result of interaction with students, faculty, and staff and communicates them to the Library Services Team Leader; and
- May assist Library Services Team Leader in curating material for outreach/marketing and social media projects.
Follows Compliance Policies and Procedures
- Follows multiple licensing and accreditation rules and standards; and
- Adheres to all company policies and procedures.
Experience Required
- Master’s Degree in Library Science from an American Library Association accredited program;
- Experience supporting graduate and postgraduate student research and coursework;
- Proficient in leading synchronous virtual instruction webinars;
- Experience in creating content for courses, videos, handouts, and guides;
- Demonstrated knowledge of key issues, emerging pedagogy trends, and best practices in information literacy instruction and assessment;
- Strong communication, writing, and time-management skills;
- Expert research skills, with an ability to support multiple disciplines;
- Detail-oriented, creative mindset;
- Experience in virtual library reference in higher-education;
- Proficient use in online conferencing tools; and
- Experience as a librarian at a higher-education institution.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Proficient in facilitating the development of information literacy: the ability to define information needs; to identify resources that are appropriate to meet those needs; and to analyze, synthesize, evaluate, and communicate the resulting knowledge;
- Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general periodicals, professional journals, and technical procedures;
- Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedural manuals;
- Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, peers, and members;
- Experienced with the provision of virtual reference support;
- Knowledge of and ability to use online research databases, the internet, and learning management systems (LMS);
- Ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously in a collaborative environment;
- Ability to tailor presentations to suit the needs and characteristics of an audience;
- Excellent time management and organizational skills;
- Knowledge of Gmail and other Google Suite products and apps;
- Proficient in basic computer skills in a Macintosh environment with experience using the native applications such as Pages, Keynote, and Numbers; and open source tools such as LibreOffice;
- Proficient in communicating via multiple channels, e.g. email, chat, phone;
- Ability to prioritize and quickly resolve issues;
- Ability to process multiple types of information;
- Superior verbal and written communication skills; and
- Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions:
- While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to spend extended hours in front of a computer screen: sitting, typing, and talking/hearing via phone.
Work Environment
Work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions:
- This is an exempt, full-time, work from home position in the United States. Normal business hours are Monday - Friday, 9am-4pm Eastern time. However, the online reference desk hours are staffed Monday-Friday from 7am-9pm Eastern time. At least two shifts per week, outside of normal business hours, are required to work on online reference. A Saturday and Sunday as part of an on-call rotation, or regularly scheduled, from 12pm-7pm Eastern time, is required.
- While performing the duties of this job, the employee needs to be in a dedicated/controlled workspace environment. The noise level in the work environment should be mild, supporting the ability to conduct live presentations via webinar, and participate in video conferences, phone calls, and meetings without disturbances.
- Employees must have reliable internet connection to perform the job.
Compensation
- LIRN stays current on library salary trends and market value. We utilize salary data collected and reported to/from the American Library Association for positions requiring a master's degree in library science that is ALA-accredited. Salary is also commensurate with qualifications and experience.
- LIRN prides itself on offering generous benefits.
Required Attachments by Candidate
- Curriculum Vitae/Resume;
- Cover Letter demonstrating what motivated you to apply at LIRN;
- Existing 3-5 minute video educating the end user on a "library" affiliated subject, topic, or concept; and
- Unofficial transcripts for MLIS/MLS and any other degrees you wish to provide.
Interview Expectations
- The
interview process consists of a phone interview, then, if applicable, a
video interview. Within the video interview, candidates will be asked
to create and present a 5–10 minute live, instructional presentation
focusing on a library database or another library topic of interest
(i.e., information literacy topics, research design topics, search
strategies, etc).
