University of Iowa Libraries Residency Program Librarian - Position Vacancy

THE UNIVERSITY OF IOWA LIBRARIES
IOWA CITY, IOWA

Position Vacancy

RESIDENCY PROGRAM LIBRARIAN

Program Purpose: The purpose of the University of Iowa Libraries' Residency Program is to interest entry-level librarians who are members of historically underrepresented groups in professional learning and service at the University of Iowa Libraries and, ultimately, in a career in academic librarianship. The program began more than fifteen years ago and is a keystone of the Libraries’ long-standing commitment to diversity. It is designed around an assignment in a professional position that is challenging, offers a solid foundation for a career in research librarianship, and provides significant opportunities for professional development and mentoring.

Please visit our Recruiting Librarians website for information about working at the UI Libraries and living in the diverse community of Iowa City.

Position Description: The Libraries seeks an entry-level, two-year Residency Program Librarian to serve in one of three departments – Reference & Library Instruction, Digital Library Services, or the Hardin Library for the Health Sciences. In addition to learning about and providing service in one of these departments, participants learn about other departments in the Libraries, serve on committees in the library system, and initiate a program of professional development and contribution. Of great importance is that each resident also chooses one or more tracks providing a significant experience in an area of individual interest outside the assigned department, such as collection development, archives' processing, cataloging, scholarly communication, or one of the other two assigned departments.

Placement assistance is provided and program participants are eligible and encouraged to apply for regular professional positions that may arise in the Libraries. This position reports to the head of the assigned department and it is likely that it will require some evening and weekend commitment.

Mentoring: The department head, along with the Director, Human Resources and Diversity Programs, serve as mentors for residents. Opportunities for peer and informal mentoring are available, as well, and regular meetings are arranged with the University Librarian and appropriate Associate University Librarians.

Professional Development: Professional development is a strong component of the Residency Program. Participants are encouraged to give presentations, attend national and regional conferences, and/or write for professional publications. The Libraries provides significant financial support for attendance at conferences and professional meetings. In addition, if accepted by the institutes, residents receive support to participate in the Minnesota Institute for Early Career Librarians from Traditionally Underrepresented Groups and ACRL's Institute for Information Literacy Immersion Program (or similar program of individual professional interest).

Required Qualifications:

• graduate degree from an ALA-accredited program in Library and Information Science

• general knowledge of traditional and electronic information resources
  
  
• demonstrated commitment to diversity in the workplace or community
  
  
• excellent written and oral communication skills
  
  
• ability to work in a team environment
  
  
• demonstrated interest in professional development and contribution
  
  
• for a position in Reference & Library Instruction, demonstrated knowledge of information literacy and instruction
  
  
• for a position in Digital Library Services, demonstrated interest in or experience with digital library services
  
  
• for a position in the Hardin Library for the Health Sciences, demonstrated interest or experience in the health sciences as well as demonstrated knowledge of information literacy and instruction

Additional Expectations of the Position:

• Civil and Respectful Interactions: Demonstrates respect for all members of the University community in the course of performing one’s duties and in response to administrators, supervisors, coworkers, and customers; constructively brings forward workplace concerns to coworkers and/or supervisor.

• Diversity and Inclusion: Welcomes the richness of talent from a diverse workforce and recognizes that diversity brings stimulation, challenge, and energy that contribute to a productive and effective workplace.

• Leadership Accountability: Represents the interests of the University and of unit leadership in the use of resources to meet service and productivity demands within unit goals and budgets; strives to promote continual process and quality improvement.

• Learning and Professional Development: Seeks opportunities to enhance one’s own professional knowledge, skills, and abilities as they relate to one’s current position and/or to prepare for potential future roles and overall career development.

Salary and Appointment: The two-year appointment will be made at the Librarian I level with an annual salary of $42,000. The University of Iowa offers an attractive package of benefits including 24 days of paid vacation per year, TIAA/CREF retirement, and a flexible selection of medical, life, and dental insurance, childcare credit, and additional options. Residents are also provided with a generous allowance for moving expenses.

The University of Iowa Libraries: The University of Iowa library system consists of the Main Library, the Hardin Library for the Health Sciences and 9 branch libraries (Art, Music, Business, and the sciences). With more than 4 million volumes, the Libraries ranks 31 out of 114 among the Association of Research Libraries for size of collections. InfoHawk, the Libraries’ integrated online system, uses ExLibris’ Aleph 500 software. The Libraries has been innovative in the development of services related to digital technologies with the creation of such units as the Information Arcade and Information Commons. The University Libraries is an active member of the Online Computer Library Center (OCLC), the Committee on Institutional Cooperation (CIC), the Center for Research Libraries (CRL), the Association of Research Libraries (ARL), the Coalition for Networked Information (CNI), and the ARL SPARC Project. The Libraries provides a program of support for professional development activities and its staff members are actively engaged in national cooperative efforts.

The University and Iowa City: A major research and teaching institution, the University of Iowa offers internationally recognized programs in a diverse array of academic, medical, and artistic disciplines, from otolaryngology to fiction writing, printmaking to space science, hydraulic engineering to dance. The University consists of a faculty of 2,000 and a permanent staff of 15,000 serving 30,000 students, close to 10,000 of whom are registered in graduate and professional degree programs. Approximately 8% of the University’s workforce is minority faculty and staff, 9% of the student body are members of minority groups, and 7% are international students.

Iowa City is a community of some 63,000 people (more than 100,000 live in the surrounding area) with excellent educational, recreational, and cultural advantages. It is consistently cited in the national media as a city with an excellent quality of life. The community is growing in its diversity; within the Iowa City Community School District, 13.4% of the students are African American, 7.2% are Asian American, 6.6% are Latino, and .5% are Native American. The Latino population is increasing at a rate of .5%/year. The city is readily accessible via interstate highways and a major airport only 30 minutes away.

Application Procedure: To apply for this position, please visit the University of Iowa Jobs@UIOWA website at http://jobs.uiowa.edu. To help facilitate your application process, note the requisition number -- 56499. Applications must be received by March 6, 2009. Please, in your cover letter, include a substantial paragraph describing what in your background has helped you develop the skills that enable you to serve clientele of diverse backgrounds.

THE UNIVERSITY OF IOWA IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER. WOMEN AND MINORITIES ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY.

For more information about the University of Iowa Libraries and community, please see http://www.lib.uiowa.edu/ and http://www.lib.uiowa.edu/about/employment/recruiting.html

University of Pittsburg: Diversity Librarian Fellowship and Residency Program

For more information:
http://www.ischool.pitt.edu/resources/diversity/diversity-fellowship.php
The Diversity Librarian Fellowship and Residency Program offers minoritycandidates an opportunity for pursuing the Master's in Library andInformation Science degree while gaining valuable, "hands-on" experiencein a large academic library system. The goal of this two-year program isto increase the number of underrepresented racial/ethnic minoritieswithin academic librarianship by providing the graduate education andthe practical experience critical for successful entrance into theprofession.

ULS Public Services Librarian Diversity Resident Program

The ULS Public Services Librarian Diversity Resident Program offers post-graduate candidates from underrepresented racial/ethnic groups an opportunity for gaining valuable, "hands-on" experience in a public services position within a large academic research library system. The goal of this two-year program is to increase the number of underrepresented racial/ethnic minorities within academic librarianship by providing the practical experience critical for successful entrance into the profession. http://www.ischool.pitt.edu/resources/diversity/uls-resident-program.php

New Residency Program: Marquette University Libraries

The Marquette University Raynor Memorial Libraries Residency Program is seeking applications from early career library and information science professionals with a strong commitment to beginning a career in academic librarianship. The two-year Residency Program is designed to encourage and promote the professional growth and development of new librarians, providing a broad-based awareness of principles and practices in academic librarianship and an opportunity to develop an area of specialization. The Residency Program hopes in part, to help increase the presence of underrepresented groups in academic libraries. Diversity is a core value and is central to the mission of Marquette University and all interested and qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.

Reporting to the Head of Research and Instructional Services, the Resident will participate in the Libraries' information literacy instruction program for pre-college, undergraduate, and graduate students; provide general reference services; contribute to collection development activities; become familiar with other units and functions of the Libraries; and assist in collaborative planning, analysis, and assessment of programs and services. In year two of the program, the Resident will engage in an in-depth, concentrated experience in an area of specialization and will develop and complete an applied research capstone project that could be presented at a professional conference.

The Residency Program features a formal mentoring component with the Head of Research and Instructional Services, the Associate Dean of Libraries and other professional staff, who will help to acclimate the Resident to the Libraries' environment, the University, and the Greater Milwaukee community, while providing general guidance and support.

Required:

• Master's degree in library/information science (ALA-accredited), granted by August 2009 and received within the past two years.

• Demonstrated interest in developing a career in academic librarianship;
  

• Service orientation and commitment to library user needs;
  

• Excellent communication and presentation skills;

• Strong analytical skills and organizational abilities;

• Ability to work independently and collaboratively and adapt to changing user needs and expectations;

• Knowledge of and commitment to cultural diversity and an ability to work with a diverse student body, faculty and staff.Preferred:

• Experience in a library environment, teaching, or in public service.

Salary: Minimum of $40,000. Full benefits package including 20 vacation days, 11 holidays and one floating holiday per year.

Marquette University is an independent, Catholic, Jesuit doctoral-granting institution with an enrollment of 12,000 located near downtown Milwaukee. Two adjacent and connected library buildings seat 2,150 and house a 1.7 million volume collection, 300 networked resources, and over 22,000 electronic journals. http://www.mu.edu/library/

For full consideration, submit application online by April 15, 2009 to the University's application site: http://careers.marquette.edu/ search by position number: 0600797

Washington Doctoral Initiative (WDI)

Are you interested in obtaining a doctorate from one of the most dynamic and innovative information schools in the U.S.?

The University of Washington Information School announces the Washington Doctoral Initiative (WDI), an exciting opportunity to educate the next generation of library leaders. The iSchool seeks to enroll three highly-qualified librarians from traditionally underrepresented groups to pursue a Ph.D. in Information Science. An Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) grant provides fellowships for full time study and will augment the student experience through an intensive mentoring program. The partnership between the Information School and IMLS promotes student engagement in the growing field of library and information science and is part of a larger effort to increase diversity in the library and information science field. iSchool Doctoral Application Deadline for 2009-2010 is January 5, 2009.

For more information, please click here.

Two-Year MLIS Scholarship Opportunity at UNC at Greensboro

UNCG is proud to announce a new scholarship available to prospective LIS students. The Academic and Cultural Enrichment (ACE) Scholars Program program is a joint effort between the University Libraries and the LIS Department. The goal of the scholarship program is to recruit students from under-represented ethnic minority groups into the profession. Funded by a generous grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services' Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program, this scholarship will cover educational expenses for twelve students in the two-year MLIS program.

For more information this scholarship, and how to apply, visit: http://www.uncg.edu/lis/acescholars/.

ARL Recruits for Diversity Program Officer

Washington DC—The Association of Research Libraries (ARL) invites applications and nominations for the position Program Officer for Diversity.

Purpose

North American research institutions are being transformed by an increase in the diversity of scholarly and learning communities with profound implications for how these institutions support international, interdisciplinary, and intercultural learning and research. To engage effectively in this environment of change and innovation, research libraries need a diverse workforce of professionals who thrive in and are actively engaged with these new scholarly communities.

Reflecting this need, ARL conceptualizes diversity issues broadly and encourages attention to them within all three of the Association’s strategic directions: scholarly communication; public policies; and new library roles in research, teaching, and learning. Within this broad framework, ARL has also adopted an action agenda that is focused on the development of a diverse research library workforce. Specifically, the Program Officer for Diversity provides leadership for initiatives that increase the “pipeline” as well as the preparation and advancement of librarians from under represented racial and ethnic groups into leadership positions in ARL libraries.

Major Responsibilities

1. Promote, manage, enhance, and ensure funding streams for existing ARL initiatives that increase the number of individuals from under represented racial and ethnic groups pursuing careers in research libraries. These include:
• Initiative to Recruit a Diverse Workforce (stipends for graduate work)
• Career Enhancement Program (fellowships for research library experience)
• Leadership and Career Development Program (midcareer enhancement)
• Annual Leadership Institute (held in conjunction with ALA Midwinter Meeting)
• National Diversity in Libraries Conference (next event, 2010 at Princeton University)
• ARL Career Resources Web site (http://www.arl.org/resources/careers/)
2. Serve as expert advisor and contributor to other ARL leadership and organizational development activities, looking for synergy between these and diversity initiatives, and as needed, provide oversight of administrative support for these projects. For example:
• Research Library Leadership Fellows (RLLF) program (to develop executive leadership).
• ClimateQUAL™ and, in particular, Organizational Climate Improvement Service (OCIS), a consulting service based on follow up activities from the ClimateQUAL™ survey protocol (a tool for collecting library staff perceptions about how well the library is achieving a climate for diversity and organizational health).
3. Support the work of the ARL Diversity Initiatives Working Group, a group of directors of research libraries charged by the Association to:
• Advise on strategies to increase the number of librarians from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups in the research library workforce;
• Serve as a review panel for applications for the Initiative to Recruit a Diverse Workforce and the Leadership and Career Development Program; and
• Monitor the environment of research institutions to identify diversity issues or initiatives beyond the scope of “pipeline” issues that may warrant discussion with any ARL Strategic Direction steering committees or with all ARL members at Membership Meetings.

Nature and Scope of the Position

A. Organizational Relationships

Operates as part of the ARL Executive Office in the capacity of Program Officer for Diversity. This position reports to the ARL Executive Director. Works with directors of ARL member libraries and library staff to assess needs, promote, and deliver services. Provides direct support for the ARL Diversity Initiatives Working Group. Collaborate with other program officers on opportunities to infuse diversity issues into ARL strategic directions and contribute expert advice to other leadership and organizational development activities. Expected to reach out and network with ethnic caucuses in professional associations and the leadership of LIS graduate programs and minority serving institutions. Works with organizational representatives of foundations, government agencies, and educational institutions and associations.

B. Supervisory Responsibilities

Coordinates consultants and supervises 1.5 FTE staff (includes a grant-supported position) and others assigned to diversity programs and projects. Works with support staff to maintain files; to prepare routine correspondence, reports, mailings, and promotions; and to support institutes and other training events.

C. Skill Requirements

Project management, budget administration skills, entrepreneurial fund-raising and cost-recovery skills are core components of this position. Establishment of successful relationships with a wide variety of academic and research library administrators, professional staff, and support staff is a requirement of this position. The ability to evaluate needs and the judgment to determine appropriate responses is essential. An understanding of research libraries within the context of the higher education community is also required. This is a professional position with both management and administrative components; it requires energy and flexibility to balance and adjust competing priorities. Well-developed written and oral communication skills, as well as interpersonal skills, are necessary.

D. Problem Solving and Decision Making

Most problems and decisions faced by this position relate to the conduct of ARL diversity initiatives, matching needs with resources and services (either available or to be designed). Considerable flexibility is available for design and operation of new products and services. New programs and design efforts are developed in consultation with other program staff and Executive Director.

E. Authority/Independence

Position operates at a professional level with major program responsibilities. In dealing with member libraries, participants in events, and professional colleagues, this position is autonomous. This position is expected to secure, by grants or cost recovery, revenue sufficient to support diversity initiatives; this includes a minimum of $50,000 annually. Requires extensive travel and time away from home and office. In contact with other organizations, position may represent and speak on behalf of ARL. Executive Director conducts annual performance review.

Requirements

1. A master’s degree and a minimum of three years experience in a higher education or related nonprofit setting advancing recruitment, diversity education, leadership development, and/or fund raising;

2. Experience in program or project management or training;

3. Ability to communicate and work effectively with senior leadership;

4. Enthusiasm and commitment to increasing the diversity of the research library workforce;

5. Proven public speaking, writing, and interpersonal skills.

Preferred:

1. MLS degree and/or experience in higher education and academic or research libraries in particular;

2. Prior facilitation or consulting experience.

Institution

ARL comprises the 123 largest academic and research libraries in the US and Canada. It operates as a forum for the exchange of ideas and as an agent for collective action.

Compensation

Salary is in the range of other professional staff at ARL and commensurate with experience. ARL offers standard benefits including sick leave, 22 days vacation, TIAA/CREF.

Applications

Screening of applications will begin immediately. Applications will continue to be accepted until the position is filled. Send letter outlining interest and experience in the areas of diversity and broader facilitation and consulting, a resume, and a list of three references to:

Mary Jane Brooks
Executive Officer
Association of Research Libraries
21 Dupont Circle, NW, 8th Floor
Washington, DC 20036-1118

E-mail address: maryjane@arl.org

Nominations are actively sought and will be given serious consideration.

ARL is an Equal Opportunity Employer Committed to Diversity in the Workplace.

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The Association of Research Libraries (ARL) is a nonprofit organization of 123 research libraries in North America. Its mission is to influence the changing environment of scholarly communication and the public policies that affect research libraries and the diverse communities they serve. ARL pursues this mission by advancing the goals of its member research libraries, providing leadership in public and information policy to the scholarly and higher education communities, fostering the exchange of ideas and expertise, and shaping a future environment that leverages its interests with those of allied organizations. ARL is on the Web at http://www.arl.org/.