Purpose of Position:
The W. Frank Steely Library at Northern Kentucky University seeks a collaborative, visionary, and service-oriented individual to serve as Undergraduate Experience Librarian. This non-tenure-track renewable faculty position is responsible for developing, supporting, and sustaining library-related, student-centered programming for undergraduates. In this role, the librarian will participate in our one-shot instruction program, lead student-facing outreach efforts, and collaborate with campus partners including but not limited to Student Affairs & Enrollment Management, Institute for Student Research & Creative Activity, the Honors College, the Writing Center, and the Adult & Transfer Center. As a non-tenure track renewable (NTTR) faculty member, the Undergraduate Experience Librarian will be expected to participate on library and campus-wide committees and NKU governance. The librarian will be engaged in fulfilling the educational mission of the university. This position is part of a robust team of educators, the Education & Outreach Services Department, and reports to the Head of Education & Outreach Services.
The W. Frank Steely Library provides a wide range of library services to support the University’s commitment to its Success by Design strategic framework, which promotes student success by embracing inclusiveness, equity, global awareness, and academic needs of students and faculty in each academic college. Library faculty and staff have enhanced traditional services to better address 21st-century information needs and are collaborative partners across campus.
Primary Responsibilities:
Outreach & Student Engagement
• Lead library student programming including but not limited to our Library Fellowship for Undergraduate Students and the W. Frank Steely Library Research Award.
• Cultivates and sustains relationships with campus partners and student organizations. Acts as a liaison with colleagues in Student Affairs & Enrollment Management, Institute for Student Research & Creative Activity, the Adult & Transfer Center, Honors College, the Writing Center, and other student-facing units across campus to develop programming and learning experiences for undergraduate students.
• Leads and assesses library outreach programming, designed to support curricular and extra-curricular needs of the student body. These programs will help support student success and help to cultivate a sense of belonging with students.
• Engages with campus conversations around high-impact practices (HIPs) and works to incorporate information literacy concepts into these activities.
• Leads student-facing workshops or programming that aligns with campus-wide initiatives, such as our Quality Enhancement Plan or strategic plans like Success by Design.
Instruction
• Teaches one-shot instruction sessions (primarily face-to-face) in a broad range of disciplines to undergraduate students.
• Teach credit-bearing information literacy courses, such as LIN 175: Information Literacy (a general education course).
Research Help
• Provides weekly research help services, including reference desk hours, virtual chat, and consultations, to support in-person and virtual users.
Other
• Other duties as assigned.
Service
• Participates on Library and campus-wide committees and NKU faculty governance.
Qualifications:
Minimum Qualifications
• Master’s degree from an ALA-accredited library or information science program or an ALA-approved foreign equivalent by anticipated start date.
• Experience with, knowledge of, or interest in teaching and assessing information literacy in academic or co-curricular settings.
• Experience with, knowledge of, or interest in planning, implementing, and assessing outreach activities for undergraduate students in an academic library.
Preferred Qualifications
• Experience with, knowledge of, or interest in high-impact practices (HIPs) and the role libraries and information literacy play in these experiences.
• Project management experience, with the ability to guide projects that require collaboration and coordination with internal and/or external partners from initial idea to completion.
• Strong student-centered orientation and ability to build relationships with a range of campus partners.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
• Ability to reach out to campus stakeholders and students in order to build relationships.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing, work successfully in a highly collaborative environment, and prioritize various teaching assignments, departmental initiatives, and outreach.
• Ability to manage and plan events and projects and involve other collaborators.
• Knowledge and understanding of key issues and trends that affect academic libraries, library outreach, and or higher education.
• Knowledge and understanding of key issues and trends in information literacy instruction, including inclusive pedagogical practices and learning technologies, and student learning assessment.
• Knowledge of high-impact practices and their role within librarianship.
• Ability to work well both independently and in a collaborative environment and to contribute to professional service.
• Demonstrated commitment to participating in and building an inclusive, equitable, and diverse campus community dedicated to student success and sense of belonging.
Although the position will remain posted until filled, priority consideration will be given to applicants who apply before January 15, 2024.
NKU is a public comprehensive university located in the Northern Kentucky/Cincinnati, Ohio metropolitan area. The university delivers innovative, learner-centered education and engages in impactful scholarly and creative activities, all of which empower students for fulfilling careers and meaningful lives while contributing to the social and economic vitality of the region. NKU has almost 14,000 students, over 2,000 faculty and staff. It offers 79 undergraduate degree programs, master’s degrees in 21 disciplines, graduate certificates in 15 areas, two doctoral programs, a law degree, and in a partnership with the University of Kentucky and St. Elizabeth Hospital opened a medical school in the fall of 2019.