Outreach Librarian, World Languages & Cultures – University of MN Duluth

*About the Job (Position Description):

This is a full-time 100% P&A position within the Research and Learning Team at the Kathryn A. Martin Library.  The anticipated start date is August 22,2022. Starting salary $45,721.92. Commensurate with experience.

Position Overview

The person in this position collaborates with library colleagues and campus partners to coordinate library outreach and engagement efforts in support of the library’s mission to expand equitable access to information, enhance learning and research across campus, and serve as an inclusive center for collaboration in our campus and the wider community. The person in this position will play a leadership role in coordinating outreach and events, while also working closely with engaged and student-focused colleagues, including the library’s Communication and Events Committee.

This person also provides library liaison services to one academic department, World Languages & Cultures. For the assigned department, this librarian provides specialized research support services, selects information resources, creates learning objects, and provides information literacy instruction for courses. As part of the Research & Learning Team, this person will share responsibility for delivering information literacy instruction for courses within the College and Advanced Writing Program.The person in this position participates in Research & Learning Team meetings, activities, and projects, serves on teams and groups working on library-wide initiatives, and contributes to the library profession and/or campus.

Assigned department: World Languages & Cultures

Essential Job Functions:

Outreach (50%)

• In collaboration with the library’s Communication and Events Committee, lead and participate in goal development, planning, delivery, and assessment of library outreach and engagement efforts, including:
  • Coordinate the library’s participation in campus welcome/orientation activities and end-of-semester stress relief activities
  • Partner with the Communications Associate to co-chair the Communication and Events Committee and share information that informs the Communications Associate’s marketing work
  • Partner with colleagues on the Research & Learning Team to create programming/events that promote services, initiatives, and resources offered by Archives & Special Collections, Digital Services, and liaison librarians
  • Work independently and in collaboration with library colleagues to establish relationships and provide programming to organizations serving students who experience marginalization because of their identities, including the student organizations in the Multicultural Center
  • Cultivate and maintain relationships with campus colleagues to foster awareness about how the library can be an essential partner for learning and inquiry in our community
  • Proactively seek out, reflect on, and incorporate feedback from students to ensure that library programming is relevant, student-centered, and accessible
  • Facilitate the development and presentation of the library’s annual application for student services fee funding to support outreach and programming
• Coordinate the library’s Wellness Collection in collaboration with the UMD Wellbeing Program
• Schedule and coordinate displays in the library’s display cases and assist exhibitors as needed, ensuring display cases are engaging and reflect the library’s values and mission
• Supervise intern and/or student worker to support outreach efforts

Liaison Assignments (20%)

For assigned department: World Languages & Cultures

• Provide in-depth research support in assigned subject areas
• Develop and use expertise in knowledge and use of information resources
• Keep current on academic trends and changes
• Monitor assigned databases and keep library users informed of changes
• Promote electronic and other information resources
• Provide information literacy instruction for courses in subject areas and for Advanced Writing classes related to the assigned subject area
• Create and update course and research guides
• Develop good working relationships with faculty to support teaching and research
• Assess user needs to develop and maintain relevant, high quality services and information resources
• Oversee collection management of books, periodicals, multimedia, and electronic resources
• Manage acquisitions budgets

General Responsibilities as a Member of the Research & Learning Team (20%)

• Provide general research support to library users during scheduled hours
• Provide foundational information literacy instruction to classes in College Writing and College in the Schools
• Assist students and other researchers in evaluating resources and refining topics for research
• Continuously develop expertise in database and web searching
• Serve as a member of the Research & Learning Team and participate in team meetings
• Participate in team events and initiatives
• Work cooperatively with library staff
• Keep current on professional issues related to research support services
• Share information on resources and research skills with colleagues
• Document data on research transactions and instruction sessions

Library-Related Professional Service and Engagement (10%)

• Attend library, UMD, and community meetings and events
• Serve on University committees, boards, or projects
• Engage in professional development
• Contribute to the profession through organizational work, presenting at conferences, or publishing
• Other Duties as Assigned

Required:

• ALA-accredited Master’s degree in Library/Information Science or equivalent combination of advanced degree and relevant experience
• Excellent organizational and written communication skills
• Demonstrated experience with proposing and/or implementing actions that improve equity and inclusion in your work
• Demonstrated experience building collaborative relationships with colleagues, library users, and/or community partners
• Demonstrated experience coordinating events or delivering outreach or programming in an educational or library environment

Preferred:

• Demonstrated experience providing public services, outreach, or programming for students who experience marginalization because of their identities
• Demonstrated experience designing and/or delivering information literacy instruction
• Demonstrated experience providing liaison services in an academic environment
• Demonstrated experience providing reference service in a library
• Proficiency in a language other than English, especially languages taught within the Department of World Languages & Cultures: Mandarin Chinese, French, German, or Spanish

The Outreach & Liaison Librarian leads the collaborative development and delivery of library outreach and engagement efforts in support of the library’s mission to expand equitable access to information, enhance learning and research across campus, and serve as an inclusive center for collaboration in our community. This person will also act as a liaison to the World Languages & Cultures department.

Our library’s outreach and programming efforts are led by an active and creative Communication & Events Committee that includes members from all of the library’s teams. This group coordinates and promotes events and programming for students and the UMD community, including learning opportunities and social experiences that contribute to inclusion, retention, and student success. Library events and programs are often developed in collaboration with campus partners and integrated into broader UMD initiatives. The person in this position will co-chair the Communication & Events Committee with the library’s Communications Associate, who coordinates library communications and marketing. As co-chairs and close collaborators, the Outreach Librarian and Communications Associate will often find ways to support, inform, and inspire each other’s work.

The Outreach & Liaison Librarian will be part of the library’s Research & Learning Team, which includes Archives & Special Collections, Digital Services, and liaison librarians. The successful applicant will partner with colleagues and students to help make the team’s services, initiatives, and resources more visible in our campus community, and work to demystify their use and value for library users. The person in this position will primarily focus on fostering engagement on campus, but they may also have opportunities to support Archives & Special Collections outreach in the wider community.

The successful applicant will be part of an organization that is focused on removing barriers that impede our community’s growth and development. Our library is committed to diversity and inclusion, striving to open our doors as widely as possible to be a welcoming environment in which to work, learn, study, and collaborate. UMD library employees are encouraged to pursue educational opportunities, professional development, participation in functional and advisory committees, and other opportunities to expand their careers. The successful applicant will also be an integral source of support to the success of UMD students.

Working at the University

At the University of Minnesota, you’ll find a flexible work environment and supportive colleagues who are interested in lifelong learning.  We prioritize work-life balance, allowing you to invest in the future of your career and in your life outside of work.

The University also offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Scholarship
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefits.

Applications must be submitted online.  To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions.  You will have the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Please submit:

(1.) A cover letter describing how your experience matches each of the required position qualifications and any preferred qualifications

(2.) A resume that includes details of prior education and employment that are relevant to this position, and

(3.) Five references who can speak to your work or personal experiences in relation to this position, two of which must be from managers

Additional documents may be attached after applying by accessing your “My Job Applications” page and uploading documents in the “My Cover Letters and Attachments” section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail [email protected] or call (612) 624-UOHR (8647).

If you have started receiving retirement annuity payments from the Minnesota State Retirement System (MSRS) or Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA) your eligibility for this position may be impacted. Please contact UM Benefits at 1-800-756-2363 for any eligibility limitations.

If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process, please contact a University of Minnesota Access consultant at 612-624-3316.

The University of Minnesota is an Equal Opportunity Educator and Employer.  Veterans and individuals from underrepresented groups are encouraged to apply.

Smoking, chewing tobacco and the use of electronic cigarettes prohibited on all UMD property, including indoor facilities, campus grounds and University vehicles.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission.  The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.  To learn more about diversity at the U:  http://diversity.umn.edu.

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

Please note: All employees at the University of Minnesota are required to comply with the University’s Administrative Policy: COVID-19 Vaccination and Safety Protocol by either providing proof of being fully vaccinated on their first day of employment, or complete a request for an exemption for medical exemption or religious reasons. To learn more please visit:  https://safe-campus.umn.edu/return-campus/get-the-vax

University of Minnesota, Duluth (UMD)

The University of Minnesota, Duluth (UMD) consistently ranks among the top Midwestern, regional universities in U.S. News and World Report’s “America’s Best Colleges” issue.

Overlooking Lake Superior, UMD provides an alternative to both large research and small liberal arts environments and attracts students looking for a personalized learning experience on a medium-sized campus of a major university.  A firm liberal arts foundation anchors a variety of traditional degree programs, as well as professional and graduate students that draw on UMD’s many research institutes and labs.