Position Summary
Rice University seeks a creative, collegial, and user-centered librarian to join our Research Services team. The successful candidate will serve as liaison to academic programs, building and maintaining strong relationships. Areas of focus include research support and consultation services, instruction and outreach services, and development and management of collections and content. This position will also engage in the design and delivery of general and specialized research and teaching support services for the broader Rice research and teaching community, including research data services.
Expected liaison areas are as follows. Areas may shift over time in accordance with changing needs and priorities: U.S. History and Political Science Librarian – supports U.S. History and Political Science academic programs, and related institutes, centers, and initiatives. Collaborates with members of the Research Data Services team on the development and implementation of services for the Rice community.
This position reports to the Assistant University Librarian for Research Services. Applications from recent graduates are welcome.
Learn more and apply (link to complete position posting on Rice Jobs)
Minimum Requirements
- Master’s degree from an ALA-accredited program or equivalent library and/or information science program
- One or more years of related experience (does not have to be at the professional level)
In lieu of the experience requirement, additional related education, above and beyond what is required, may be substituted on an equivalent year-for-year basis.
- Skills
- Strong interest in working with faculty, staff, and students
- Ability to provide effective specialized research and teaching support in liaison areas
- Ability to learn and apply technology to library services
- Ability to work effectively in a team environment
- Knowledge of collection development and management practices, including the ability to evaluate collections and research tools in terms of content, functionality, and alignment with user needs.
- Excellent verbal and written communication and presentation skills
- Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility
Preferences
Preferred qualifications are not required. We ask applicants to share with us how your experience and interests align with the position for which you are applying. We also commit to helping future colleagues develop and grow professionally.
- Public service experience in an academic or research library
- Experience using the Springshare platform (LibGuides & LibAnswers)
- Experience using the Ex Libris Alma/Primo library services platform
- Familiarity with specialized research services including research data support and research impact services
- Familiarity with the research lifecycle and interest in structuring library services in areas including discovery of relevant literature and data, management of research data, writing and citation support, and publishing and sharing research publications and data
- Familiarity with scholarly communications and scholarly publishing, including open access models
Essential Functions
- Provides research support through consultations, instruction sessions, creation and maintenance of research guides and resources, and participation in online reference services
- Provides teaching support through specialized information literacy instruction for assigned areas as well as participation in general and multidisciplinary instruction programs
- Develops and maintains library collections and content, engaging in ongoing evaluation to ensure that Fondren’s collections are responsive to Rice’s teaching and research programs
- Collaborates broadly across the library and university to support research and learning, and engages in service and collections planning, delivery, and assessment
- Participates in library system-wide planning, committees, and work groups, and engages in campus, regional and national professional organizations, and collaborative activities
- Monitors developments and best practices elsewhere to help ensure the excellence of local services.
- Performs other duties as assigned
Additional Functions
- Demonstrates a high level of diplomacy in persuading and influencing a wide variety of people at various levels to achieve results
- Evaluates emerging technologies for adoption and implementation to enhance library collections and services
- Practices effective problem solving, using analytical and organizational skills
An ideal candidate for this position is creative, collegial, and user-centered. They are committed to providing excellent services to the Rice Community and to building and maintaining strong relationships with their assigned liaison areas. They participate in services including in-person and virtual consultations, teaching and outreach, and online reference services. They create and maintain guides and other research support resources. They develop and manage collections for assigned areas, engaging with constituents to understand and act on needs and priorities. They engage in broader collection projects, including promotion of new resources and collection assessment. They share in supporting general public services to include online reference and research support, along with general outreach and teaching. They also collaborate in the design and delivery of specialized research services in particular Fondren’s research data services program. They are interested in exploring new models for engaging with and facilitating support throughout the research lifecycle. They contribute to Fondren’s organization through active participation in committees and work groups. They maintain awareness of external developments and best practices to inform local services.
Rice University believes that diversity increases the intellectual vitality of education, scholarship, service, and student life. Candidates for this position share Fondren’s broader commitment to fostering an equitable and inclusive library and workplace. They are able to work effectively with a diverse faculty, staff, and student population.
Workplace requirements
This position is offered as a hybrid role, combining both in-office and remote work to provide flexibility and support collaboration. The individual in this role will work on campus 80% during a typical week. Per Rice policy 440, work arrangements may be subject to change.
This is a full-time, benefits-eligible position, and the proposed salary range is $61,000 to $64,000 annually, depending on qualifications and experience. *Exempt (salaried) positions under FLSA are not eligible for overtime.
Environment
Boasting a 300-acre tree-lined campus in Houston, Texas, Rice University is ranked among the nation’s top 20 universities by U.S. News & World Report. Rice has a 6-to-1 undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio, and a residential college system, which supports students intellectually, emotionally and culturally through social events, intramural sports, student plays, lectures series, courses and student government. Developing close-knit, diverse college communities is a strong campus tradition, which is why Rice is highly ranked for best quality of life and best value among private universities.
Rice is also a wonderful place to work. Rice faculty, staff, and students share values that are essential to our success as a healthy community. Those values guide our decisions and behaviors and shape Rice’s culture. They come through in how we treat each other and the welcome we extend to our visitors. These values can be recalled simply by our name — RICE — Responsibility, Integrity, Community and Excellence.
For more information about working at Fondren Library, please see https://library.rice.edu/content/employment.
Special Instructions to Applicants: For best consideration, please apply by October 25, 2024 at 11:59 pm (Central Time). All interested applicants should attach a cover letter and a resume in the Supporting Documents section of the application. We suggest the documents be in a PDF format to avoid formatting issues.
Inquiries: Lisa Spiro (Search Coordinator), lspiro@rice.edu. We will evaluate your application based on your cover letter and resume, so you do not need to fill out the Work History and Education sections of the online application.
Rice University is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to diversity at all levels and considers for employment qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status.