Human Resources

Reporting to the Librarian for the First Year Experience, the Assistant Instruction Librarian will help develop and deliver the Library's resource and research guidance services for the first-year Cultural Studies Program (CSP), as well as other programs for first-year students in collaboration with the Center for Digital Learning and Research (CDLR), faculty, and relevant campus offices. Will help the Library, CDLR, and academic departments to deliver a coordinated, progressive, and cohesive program of research instruction for students at all levels through in-person sessions and online materials and services. Participates in providing individual research consultation and other instructional services to the campus community and in training staff who perform instruction and outreach. May select resources and manage collections in specified subject areas.

*Please include a cover letter, resume, and the names of three references. Bob Kieft, College Librarian (kieft@oxy.edu), is happy to answer questions about the position. Review of applications will begin August 1, 2009.

1. Helps to develop and deliver programs for first-year students, focusing on information literacy and research methods for the CSP. These programs include offering reference and instructional services outside the library building.

2. Helps to develop and deliver other aspects of the Library's instruction program.

3. Gathers and compiles statistics and other data that will help evaluate instructional program outcomes.

4. Participates in information resource training for campus staff, including student assistants.

5. Collaborates with campus colleagues to develop materials in appropriate and relevant formats which facilitate information access and instruction. Creates and maintains research help pages and works with others to expand the capacity of the Library website to offer guidance.

6. Along with other staff, provides information services in-person and online to the campus community.

7. May serve as collection development liaison and provide advanced instruction in assigned subject areas. In this role, develops select areas of the library's collection by identifying and selecting new materials and by evaluating existing materials for possible withdrawal from the collection.

ALA-accredited master's of library science degree or its equivalent in academic training and work experience required; academic training in visual/media studies or history as evidenced by a bachelor's or advanced degree in a relevant field preferred. Experience with reference services and library instruction in an academic library required.

Demonstrated commitment to and creativity with user services; familiarity with collection development practices and reference resources; proficiency in the development and use of information technologies required. Demonstrated ability to work well and communicate effectively with colleagues and with faculty, students, and other Library constituencies required. Excellent teaching and classroom presentation skills, including the preparation of instructional materials, required. Knowledge of and commitment to the tools and methods of liberal arts education required. Experience with developing online materials and guidance as well as knowledge of trends in online resource-access methods/interfaces required.

This is an entry-level, one-year position for a librarian who wants to help deepen the role of an established program; participate in the creation of a coherent and pervasive research instruction program; work with a new department (CDLR), whose charge is to experiment with new modes of teaching and scholarship; and improve information discovery/access systems based on a knowledge of learning preferences among students and their information-seeking behaviors. Occidental College's Library is building a set of relationships across campus that will center it in the College's academic program and in all-campus efforts to meet the challenges of a rapidly evolving information environment. This position offers a librarian with strong academic training, a commitment to learning, and the opportunity to develop their potential among colleagues in an integrated Library/ITS environment.