Journalism and Government Information Librarian
Columbia University in the City of New York: University Libraries
Location
Description
Columbia University Libraries seeks a Journalism and Government Information Librarian to join the Science, Engineering, and Social Science Libraries (SESSL). The Journalism and Government Information Librarian engages and collaborates with faculty, students and administrators in the Columbia School of Journalism, and across the University relating to research and outreach support in the areas of local, state, and federal government information. As part of the Science, Engineering, and Social Science Library team, the Librarian is responsible for research consultations, instructional services, and providing front-line research support in-person and virtually.
The Librarian will collect materials for the Journalism and Lehman libraries in areas of journalism, political science, and government information. The Librarian will manage collection funds, select materials, and coordinate outreach for the School of Journalism as well as government documents. This role also coordinates the Libraries’ participation in the Federal Depository Library Program, and will conduct outreach and programming regarding the FDLP within the University as well as for and in conjunction with local community partners.
Diversity, equity, and inclusion is at the core of this position, and the successful hire will be expected to help make the Libraries’ commitment to these values tangible by having DEI principles and a commitment to anti-racism guide their work.
This role is being hired for at the same time as two other positions in the Science, Engineering, and Social Science Libraries. These positions work with students, faculty, staff, and alumni in their distinct areas of responsibility, while at the same time collaborating as part of the SESSL Research Support & Outreach team and other Libraries units to build strong instructional programs, research assistance, and collections that are grounded in DEI and anti-racism.
Responsibilities
- Provide research support services for library users in-person and virtually, including consultations, email reference, chat, and drop-in help.
- Design and teach orientations, course-integrated instruction sessions, and regular general-topic workshops in order to support research and learning needs.
- Build relationships with faculty, staff, and students in the School of Journalism and the local community through outreach efforts, including programming, events, and workshops.
- Make data-informed collection development decisions by managing funds and selecting materials for designated subject areas, including coordinating the FDLP at the Libraries.
- Participate in planning and implementing programs and services across the Science, Engineering, and Social Science Libraries.
- Participate in local and national organizations, and library system-wide committees.
Apply By Date: Review of applications will begin March 14, 2022. Applications will be considered until the position is filled.
Learn More in an Online Information Session:
We are hosting anonymized information sessions for prospective applicants. We welcome you to join one of these sessions to learn more about the Columbia University Libraries, meet the director (Director of the Science, Engineering, & Social Sciences Libraries), supervisor (Head of Research Support & Outreach), and Director of Human Resources for Columbia University Libraries, and ask questions you may have. Attendance and questions will be confidential, as the participant list for each Zoom Webinar session will be hidden. Please note that attendance is not required to apply or be considered for a position.
Register to join one of our Online Information Sessions:
Thurs. Feb. 17th, 2:30-3pm EST CUL Librarian Information Session 2/17/22 2:30pm-3pm EST
Mon. Feb 28th, 12:30-1:00pm EST CUL Librarian Information Session 2/28/22 12:30-1:00pm EST
About Columbia University Libraries
We encourage individuals with diverse backgrounds, experiences, identities, and abilities to apply for this unique opportunity to become a part of our evolving Libraries and University community. Columbia University Libraries is a globally-recognized academic research library system, serving one of the world’s most important centers of research and learning in the most exciting and dynamic city in the world. Talented Libraries staff build, sustain, and make discoverable collections that transcend traditional boundaries of format and domain, keeping pace with a dynamic and rapidly evolving information environment and creating opportunities for users to encounter 4,000 years of human thought.
Our decisions are informed by new curricula developed to meet the needs of a more diverse student body, new and emerging areas of research being conducted by a broad spectrum of researchers, including graduate students and newly-hired faculty, as well as by perspectives from the diminished or entirely lost voices of historically oppressed, marginalized, and underserved populations and communities. As an organization, the Libraries provides a supportive, connected environment where every employee’s perspective is valued and every employee is encouraged to grow. All staff members have an impact on Columbia’s mission to advance knowledge at the highest levels and make the results of research accessible to the world.
Columbia University has a longstanding commitment to diversity rooted in values of inclusion and social justice, a commitment reflected in the curriculum and throughout University life. Columbia welcomes applications from candidates who share these values and who will foster their contribution to the University’s educational mission. We invite applicants who have demonstrated creative approaches to empowering and mentoring staff, leading projects, solving problems, and developing user-centric programs, services, or collections.
Qualifications
Minimum Degree Required:
- Master’s degree in Library and Information Science (MLS/MLIS) or other advanced degree in a related field
Minimum Qualifications:
- Proven commitment to values of diversity, equity, and inclusion
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
- Experience or interest in supporting student research needs
Preferred Qualifications:
- Academic background in journalism, communications, media studies, or a related discipline
- Demonstrated ability to provide high quality services to users
- Experience with teaching, lesson planning, or instructional design
- Demonstrated experience with research databases and government information
- Experience using and communicating government information
