*****Expired*****
TITLE OF POST: Assistant Librarian – Student Engagement and Success
LOCATION: University of Limerick
REPORTS TO: Head, Information Services
CONTRACT TYPE: 3 Year Fixed Term
SALARY SCALE: €35,406 – €52,087 p.a.
JOB DESCRIPTION
QUALIFICATIONS:
A degree and accredited qualification in Librarianship and Information Studies.
OVERALL PURPOSE OF THE JOB:
The post holder will work on a new project to develop and implement programmes and initiatives aimed at improving undergraduate student transition, retention and success. The focus of the role will be on early-stage undergraduates, on undergraduate student groups new to the university, and on modules with high attrition rates.
This role is funded for a three year period and is linked to the University’s Engaged Learning: Teaching, Learning and Assessment strategy 2014-2018, specifically the goals related to supporting transition and encouraging retention.
DESCRIPTION:
Details of the post
This is a new role which will provide a distinctive and highly visible point of contact for first year students. These students have mixed experiences with independent study and with accessing and assessing information and technology, and targeted support is often needed. The Assistant Librarian would represent first-year students’ library needs during a unique and pivotal year of transition into university culture and its academic expectations.
The post holder will actively liaise with Student Affairs Division, the Centre for Teaching and Learning and the Information Technology Division to engage with students and to signpost students to these services as appropriate. The post holder will provide energy and leadership in designing and delivering programmes and services – library based and in collaboration with other services – that improve first year student success. In particular, s/he will provide and/or participate in providing coherent and effective welcome and induction programmes for new students.
Activities will include:
innovative promotion of library services to new students.
energetic presentation to large groups.
coordination of the library’s presence at orientation, open days and other events.
introduction of information and digital literacy concepts to new students.
the development of targeted outreach messages.
The overall focus will be to develop and deliver information and advice to students to enable them to make the most of their academic and broader student experience. This will be done in liaison with library staff, particularly faculty librarians.
The following provides a broad description of the role. The list of job functions is not exclusive or all-inclusive. As with all posts, this role will evolve over time. Some of the duties outlined here may be reassigned to other areas/individuals, as required. Similarly other duties may be assigned to the post holder, as required.
Responsibilities
Develops and coordinates scalable library initiatives related to prospective students, including open days, school visits, orientation, and information literacy skill-building for early-stage undergraduates.
Provides and promotes digital and information literacy instruction for first year and early stage undergraduates.
Oversees and coordinates the scheduling of first-year experience library instruction.
Collaborates with other liaison librarians in the creation, implementation, and assessment of first-year information literacy learning objectives that cultivate students’ critical thinking and evaluative skills and their engagement with the campus community.
Develops instructional content in multiple formats, including classroom, online, and mobile learning.
Collaborates with faculty and with other liaison librarians to integrate digital and information literacy into the undergraduate curriculum and to develop research skills in undergraduates on a continuum with faculty librarians and the research librarian.
Builds effective relationships with faculty and other academic partners through on-going outreach and engagement activities.
Works closely with Reader Services Department in the Library to develop and implement innovative programming to engage first year communities with the library.
Further develops the library’s peer advisor service and online Ask Us/Tell Us service, maximising benefits to first year students.
Cultivates collaborative partnerships with the Centre for Teaching and Learning, Student Affairs Division, Information Technology Division, International Education Division, learning centres and other student-centred departments to identify key issues and concerns of first year students across the university, in particular those relating to information needs.
Works both independently and collaboratively on initiatives to support transitions, retention and attainment, e.g. the peer advisor programme, the First 7 Weeks programme, the student advisor system, the learning support units and the newly established role of New Entrant Experience and Retention Coordinator in the Student Services Division.
Seeks ways to improve the library and develop programmes to make first-year students aware of its resources and services.
Participates in assessments of services to ensure quality and improve the effectiveness of the library to first-year students.
Develops and delivers innovative programmes and special events to engage first year students with the library.
Engages in promotion of library services and materials through participating in exhibits and outreach and recruiting events.
Coordinates outreach to second level schools.
Develops and coordinates targeted services for undergraduate groups new to the university and requiring additional support.
Interacts with students in a variety of venues that may include the classroom, New Student Orientation, Open House, Learning Centres, Students Union and cafés.
Provides reports and statistics to library management on the initiatives, activities and progress of the role.
Essential Criteria
A degree and accredited qualification in Librarianship and Information Studies.
Experience working as a professional librarian.
Excellent teaching and presentation skills.
Experience/knowledge of information literacy theory and practice, various teaching methodologies, and learning styles, especially active learning, blended learning, and the development and assessment of student learning outcomes.
Knowledge of emerging technologies and their applications in academic libraries.
Experience/knowledge of multimedia tools required for the creation of interactive instructional materials.
Project management skills, from concept development, promotion, marketing, use of technology through to production and delivery.
Strong capacity for working enthusiastically, flexibly, and creatively in a student-centered environment.
Good understanding of the needs of the customer and the ability to engage with students inside and outside of the Library.
Excellent liaison, relationship-building and teamwork skills.
Understanding of the theories and practice related to first year student transition and retention.
Desirable Criteria
Experience providing library instruction to undergraduate students in an academic library.
Experience with needs assessment and programme development.
Experience with assessment of student learning outcomes.
Creativity and experience designing instructional and informational materials, both in print and online.
Familiarity with course management software such as Sakai.
Demonstrated experience in the use of emerging technologies in library and classroom settings.
Experience in designing and delivering engaged learning activities.
Demonstrable experience in the professional use of social media.
Demonstrable experience with multimedia tools required for the creation of interactive instructional material.
The ideal candidate will have strong communication and team work skills. S/he will be proactive in demonstrating initiative, building relationships and connecting with students and other relevant stakeholders. S/he must be able to work very well within a team and demonstrate good listening and influencing skills.
Closing date: 06/03/15
