Description

The University of Miami Libraries seeks a collaborative, energetic, and creative individual committed to advancing undergraduate learning and engagement within a library context to serve as a First Year Experience (FYE) Librarian and liaison to the University of Miami’s Platform for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (PETAL). Ideal for early career professionals with expertise in information and digital literacies and passion for instructional design and pedagogical innovation, this librarian position reports to the Director of the Learning Commons, a university and library strategic initiative that supports student learning through convenient access to coordinated academic services hosted in the interdisciplinary Otto G. Richter Library. The librarian will create and deliver programming (including instructional sessions and workshops) in information and digital literacies, first-year experiences, and undergraduate research, and will also contribute to developing new collaborations with academic support units, including Undergraduate Education and Student Affairs. In addition, the FYE Librarian will work closely with the Research and Assessment Librarian, Office of Institutional Research, Student Retention, and others at the University of Miami to understand student learning contexts and develop strategic interventions and opportunities to ensure student success. 

Collaborating with liaison librarians, information specialists, and peer research consultants (undergraduate and graduate students), the First Year Experience Librarian will contribute to developing a library that serves as the “heart of learning” at the university by fostering meaningful relationships with faculty and students and supporting the learning and research needs of the university community. The librarian will interact with Learning Commons’ campus partners (Camner Center for Academic Resources, Writing Center, Math Lab, Office of Academic Enhancement, etc.), Learning Commons’ partners (Research Services, Digital Scholars’ Lab, Creative Studio, etc.), Distinctive Collections (Special Collections, University Archives, and Cuban Heritage Collection), and other units. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Reporting to the Director of the Learning Commons (a unit with full-time staff and student employees within the Learning and Research Services’ portfolio), the First Year Experience Librarian is responsible for:

Performance:

Offering consultative and instructional services for undergraduate students, especially first-year students, to advance information and digital literacies and provide expert support throughout their academic careers.
Serving as the Libraries’ lead liaison to the University of Miami’s Platform for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (PETAL).
Liaising with University partners that provide resources for first-year students, e.g., Transitional Advising, Office of Housing and Residential Life, and the Office of Academic Enhancement, to provide academic programming (First Year Fellows Program, Faculty Residents).
Coordinating workshops and programming by Learning Commons Partners and others to support First Year Directions courses and undergraduate curricula more broadly.
Collaborating with the Libraries’ Research and Assessment Librarian to coordinate and monitor ongoing observational surveys of the Learning Commons, as well as assist with focus groups and 1:1 interviews to assess Learning Commons services.
Collaborating on outreach projects with Learning Commons and Library faculty and staff, including new student orientations, in-house tours, admissions events, etc.
Engaging in resource selection to support development of information literacy skills and contributing to collection development initiatives including support for open access and open educational resources.
Selecting, managing, and assessing collections and resources for test preparation and related academic support materials.
Maintaining familiarity with research trends in pedagogical innovation and libraries, curating online research guide(s) about them, and advising libraries’ and PETAL leadership about the ways these trends may inform or necessitate changes in library services and support.
Contributing actively to the development of Learning and Research Services by sharing professional expertise, knowledge and ideas with the community of liaison librarians and functional specialists who support students and faculty.
Maintaining familiarity with current and emerging approaches to instructional pedagogies and ways to incorporate information and digital literacies into such environments, while working collaboratively with teaching faculty.
Modeling the University’s DIRECCT values (diversity, integrity, responsibility, excellence, compassion, creativity, and teamwork) in pursuit of the Libraries’ and University’s strategic objectives.
Supervising and training student employees, when appropriate.
Other duties as assigned.
 

Service:

Serving on University and Library committees, task forces, and teams as appropriate.
Networking, collaborating and actively participating in local, regional, national, or international organizations.
Representing and promoting the University of Miami Libraries in professional organizations, as appropriate.

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS

A master’s degree from a library and information science school accredited by the American Library Association. A terminal graduate degree in a discipline directly relevant to this role such as instructional design or education may substitute for the library degree.
Demonstrated familiarity with academic libraries and library instruction/information literacy.
Demonstrated experience with instructional design and pedagogical innovation and commitment to ongoing learning and growth in this area.
Demonstrated interpersonal skills with the ability to work independently and collaboratively and to establish and maintain strong relationships with a diverse community of faculty, students, and colleagues.
Strong commitment to user-centered library service and the ability to work flexibly and creatively in a changing and fast-paced environment with a culturally diverse population.
The ability to create, promote and enhance a sense of belonging amongst a vibrant and diverse student body and workforce in teaching, project development, and related work.
Demonstrated effective oral, written, and analytical communication skills.
Aptitude for successfully managing collaborative projects.