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Public Services Diversity Resident Librarian

Job Summary:
The University of Wisconsin-Madison Libraries is now seeking candidates for its Diversity Resident Librarian Program, which was established in 2013. This program provides an opportunity for entry-level librarians from diverse backgrounds to begin their professional careers and develop skills and experience in academic librarianship. As members of the ACRL Diversity Alliance, we are committed to "increasing the hiring pipeline of qualified and talented individuals from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups." (ACRL Diversity Alliance Website). This is a three-year placement designed to encourage and promote professional growth and development of recent graduates.

College Library's primary focus and expertise is to support student academic success and create a welcoming environment for all, especially those new to academic research. The residency offers an opportunity to be a subject generalist supporting student research and learning through strategic undergraduate student engagement. The position will provide research support through reference, instruction, and outreach for undergraduates who are learning the foundations of the research process. The Public Services Librarian will be part of ongoing conversations and organization-wide efforts to ensure that the library and its collections are welcoming and reflect a variety of student perspectives, with specific efforts to raise the visibility of voices and experiences of people with marginalized identities in our spaces.

The Libraries at the University of Wisconsin-Madison are dedicated to the practices of social justice, diversity, equality, and respect among our staff, students, collections, and services. We strive to overcome historical and divisive biases in our society and embrace diverse points of view as assets to the fabric of our community. All positions will be called on to contribute to building this environment.

Your cover letter should speak to:
- Required qualifications
- Interest in academic librarianship and public services
- Reasons for applying to a diversity resident librarian program

Responsibilities:
Provides a wide variety of professional library services which may include the areas of teaching, learning, public services, circulation, reference, selection, and outreach to support creative exploration, intellectual growth and, scholarly pursuits. Provides input on policies and procedures to contribute to services and operations and assist in continual service improvement and innovation.
  • 20% Serves as a liaison to academic disciplines and/or other campus units providing information on collections, instructional and research support, and library services
  • 10% Obtains materials, resolves issues, and answers questions particularly related to situations that are complex in nature
  • 10% Designs, develops, and delivers instruction in a variety of formats to faculty, staff, students, and other patrons
  • 5% Assists with the coordination of day-to-day functions of one or more library operations or services
  • 10% Provides specialized services utilizing a high level of expertise on a broad range of disciplines or in a designated discipline area
  • 5% Contributes to the development of policies and procedures
  • 10% Serves on committees to advance librarianship at the campus, local, and/or state levels
  • 5% May direct the day-to-day activities of student workers
  • 5% Develops and curates collections
  • 20% Undergraduate student engagement, strategically targeted to programs supporting student academic success

Tasks:
  • Provides research assistance as an expert subject generalist and promotes information literacy for student academic success, with expertise in undergraduate research topics and resources.
  • Engages with campus programs supporting student academic success.
  • Applies College Library's mission and public service principles to policies, procedures, and practices.
  • Supports library services with advanced knowledge of security, circulation, and facilities procedures during the absence of other staff with those services as their primary responsibility.
  • Participates in professional development activities

Education Requirement:
Master's Degree Required
MA/MS in Library/Information Studies or equivalent degree

Qualifications:
Required:
- Strong communication skills
- Demonstrated interest in academic libraries
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment

Preferred:
- Knowledge of reference and instruction
- Commitment to undergraduate student academic success
- Comfort with public speaking
- Interest in library and university committee participation

Appointment Type and Duration:
Terminal, 36 month appointment.
This position has the possibility to be extended or converted to an ongoing appointment based on need and/or funding