Located in culturally diverse, historic, and dynamic Richmond, Virginia, convenient to the beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains and the recreation destinations of the Atlantic Ocean and the Chesapeake Bay, Virginia Commonwealth University is one of Virginia’s largest universities and among the nation’s leading research institutions. The VCU Libraries, one of Virginia’s outstanding research library systems, advances the University’s teaching, research, service, and patient care mission with 2.5 million volumes, 61,000 serials, 600,000 e-books, and nationally prominent collections in the health and biological sciences, social work, the arts, the history of medicine, and comic and book arts.
The Virginia Commonwealth University Libraries invites applications and nominations for the position of Teaching & Learning Librarian. The successful candidate will collaborate with other members of the Cabell Library Teaching & Learning team to integrate research and information literacy skills into the undergraduate curriculum through course-integrated instruction, the development of online learning tools, and strategic partnerships with groups and programs across the university, with a particular emphasis on the Global Education Office and the Honors College. The successful candidate will join a culturally and academically diverse faculty of the highest caliber.
Responsibilities
Reporting to the Head of Teaching & Learning, the Teaching & Learning Librarian will collaborate with colleagues to develop a comprehensive suite of educational services and programming to integrate information literacy and research skills into the undergraduate curriculum. The successful candidate will provide course-integrated library instruction for students enrolled in VCU’s English Language Program, as well as undergraduate research and writing classes in the Honors College and the University College. The Teaching & Learning Librarian will serve as primary liaison to VCU’s Global Education Office and the Honors College, integrating information literacy and research skills into both groups’ curricula and programming. The successful candidate will also serve as a key player in undergraduate research initiatives across campus, and will serve as primary liaison to VCU’s National Scholarship Office, supporting students applying for top tier scholarships. The successful candidate will provide research assistance via consultations, email, chat, and text. The Teaching & Learning Librarian will collaborate with members of the Teaching & Learning team to advance the overall goals of the department, including online learning initiatives and assessment efforts. The Teaching & Learning Librarian will also participate in outreach events such as orientations and tours of Cabell Library. The successful candidate is expected to be active professionally and to contribute to developments in the field. Faculty with the VCU Libraries are evaluated and promoted on the basis of job performance, scholarship, and professional development and service.
Qualifications
Required
ALA-accredited graduate degree or graduate degree in a related field. Demonstrated experience working in and fostering a diverse faculty, staff, and student environment or commitment to do so as a faculty member at VCU.
Preferred
Experience teaching and providing research assistance to undergraduate students. Familiarity with the concepts and goals of information literacy. Demonstrated commitment to fostering student learning through pedagogical best practices in the face- to-face and online classroom. Experience working with English Language Learners. Demonstrated ability to advance undergraduate research programs and the success of Honors students. Knowledge and experience in assessing student learning. Demonstrated success in the application of technology to support student learning. Experience creating instructional materials such as online tutorials, videos, infographics, and guides. Ability to work collaboratively within a team environment. Demonstrated professional initiative and flexibility. Evidence of project management skills and the ability to plan and implement programs. Excellent presentation and public speaking skills. Ability to meet deadlines and manage competing priorities under pressure. Strong service orientation. Excellent oral and written communication skills.
Virginia Commonwealth University and the VCU Libraries
Virginia Commonwealth University is Virginia’s largest research university, enrolling nearly 32,000 students. Located in Richmond, Virginia, VCU offers 41 doctoral, 74 masters, 3 professional, and 64 baccalaureate degree programs. Thirty-two of VCU’s graduate, professional programs are ranked by U.S. News & World Report as among the best in the nation, with 19 programs ranking in the top 25 and two programs — sculpture and nurse anesthesia — ranked number one. Over 3,200 faculty comprise the University’s teaching force. Research strengths at the University include health and life sciences, education, engineering, social work, behavioral sciences, public affairs, advertising and design, and the fine arts. Sponsored research funding totals over $260 million, placing VCU among the top 100 research institutions in the United States. VCU’s strategic plan embraces an acceleration in the growth of VCU’s library system and includes a new Master Site Plan that envisions additions to both library facilities operated by the VCU Libraries. Architectural work has begun on a major addition to and renovation of the James Branch Cabell Library that is expected to open in 2015.
Libraries at Virginia Commonwealth University (including the James Branch Cabell Library on the Monroe Park Campus and the Tompkins-McCaw Library for the Health Sciences on the MCV Campus) employ 51 professionals and 90 support staff with an annual budget exceeding $17.5 million. VCU also operates programs in Doha, Qatar, including a library supporting the program there, Northern Virginia, and in various additional locations throughout the U.S. and the world. The VCU Libraries is a Resource Library in the National Network of Libraries of Medicine and a member of the Association of Southeastern Research Libraries, SPARC, CNI, BioMed Central, NDSA, and the Virtual Library of Virginia (VIVA), a statewide networking consortium for shared access to electronic and print resources. The VCU Libraries has adopted Primo as its discovery layer and is one of the first libraries worldwide to have implemented Alma as its next generation cloud-based system for library management. CONTENTdm and DSpace supplement the foundation of its system architecture to enhance access to its collections and services.
The Monroe Park Campus of VCU is located in Richmond’s Fan District, a large, residential neighborhood of townhouses, shops, and cafes. The campus is home to most of the University’s undergraduate and many of its graduate programs, including the School of the Arts, the College of Humanities and Sciences, and the Schools of Business, Education, Engineering, and Social Work. The School of Social Work also offers the Masters of Social Work at the Northern Virginia Campus in Alexandria, Virginia. In addition, VCU’s Qatar campus in the Middle East offers degree programs through the School of the Arts.
Salary: Salary commensurate with experience, not less than $45,000 annually. This is a full-time, non-tenured faculty position. Normal faculty benefits apply, including 24 vacation days annually and choice of retirement and annuity plans. For more information about benefits, see benefits information from VCU Human Resources.
For more information about the VCU Libraries, please visit our home page. Review of applications will begin January 5, 2015, and will continue until the position is filled. To apply, go to http://www.pubinfo.vcu.edu/facjobs, complete the application and submit a cover letter, resume, and the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of three references.
Virginia Commonwealth University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. Women, minorities, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.