Assistant Librarian: Reference and Information Literacy

Assistant Librarian: Reference and Information Literacy, Electronic Resources, and Scholarly Communications

Position Purpose and Summary

The Assistant Librarian: Reference and Information Literacy, Electronic Resources, and Scholarly Communications works with other Library team members to develop and provide excellent services to all users of the Norma Marion Alloway Library; with a focus on reference services and information literacy. The position Is also responsible for e-resource management and scholarly communication initiatives across the University, in particular management of the University’s institutional repository.

Key Areas of Accountability

Research Support and Information Literacy

• Provides reference and information services to students, faculty, staff and community users at various service points as scheduled, by appointment, both in-person and online.
• Develops a thorough familiarity with the library’s information resources, and with the University’s curricular and research needs, especially in assigned subject areas.
• Develops and manages a program of information literacy including individual/group skills, undergraduate and graduate research credit courses, and distributed learning.
• Provides instruction to faculty and students in information literacy/research strategies with a view to equipping participants and furthering the University’s pedagogical goals. Instruction may be presented both in-person, online, or hybrid.
• Develops tutorials and research guides for library resources and services. Participates in library orientation tours and program or course level library instruction programs.
• Using and/or developing new applications of technology to support theological and general programs of the library.
• Acts as primary liaison librarian to assigned departments and programs.
• Initiates and maintains contact with the University’s entire teaching faculty to foster partnerships to anticipate and support their research and curricular needs.
• Informs faculty of relevant services and resources; solicit and discusses collection needs with faculty.
• Works collaboratively with faculty and relevant staff to develop and encourage participation in information literacy and open access programs.
• Contributes to the ongoing development and evaluation of library collections, in all formats.
• Initiates and participates in needs assessment as well as in the design, implementation, and evaluation of services offered by the library.

Electronic Resources

• Maintains the Library’s collection of electronic resources, both subscription and open access, including:
  • gathering statistics and usage patterns
  • liaising with vendors and internal IT staff, and
  • troubleshooting technical issues along with the Systems Librarian and other internal colleagues.
  • managing and maintain relevant LibGuides on electronic resources.

Scholarly Communications

• Maintains the institution’s digital repository and collaborates with the Office of Research and Graduate Studies and other departments on digital scholarly communication activities and initiatives.
• Promote open access initiatives on campus in collaboration with other colleagues internal and external to the library.
• Manage and maintain relevant LibGuides on open access and open educational resources.

Other

• Serves on library / university committees as directed by the University Librarian.
• Pursues relevant professional development opportunities.

The Person

Skills and Abilities

• Minimum three years’ experience related to public services in an academic library setting.
• Demonstrated ability to provide instruction in a variety of contexts, and using relevant tools; experience teaching information literacy at the post-secondary level.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively as an individual and as member of a team.
• A strong service commitment, flexibility and a willingness to assume a variety of responsibilities.
• Robust information technology and digital literacy skills; proven ability to learn new technologies and integrate them into library services.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and demonstrate flexibility.
• Ability to initiate, plan and successfully implement projects, both independently and collaboratively as a member of a team.
• Familiarity with trends in university education and in academic libraries.
• Strong analytical and creative problem-solving skills at individual level and in a team context.
• Demonstrated commitment and ability to apply creative ideas to achieve institutional goals.
• Oral and written fluency in English is essential.
• Dependability, punctuality and good work habits.

Personal

Driven and inspired by the idea of positively impacting the various marketplaces of life through the development of godly Christian leaders by serving the Trinity Western University community.

A dedicated and mature evangelical Christian with an earnest desire to serve in family, church, work, and community. Affirm and support TWU’s mission, values, Statement of Faith, and Community Covenant. Strength of character and reputation, integrity, focused. A winsome personality with a positive and friendly attitude.

Servant-Leader Way of Life: Act in a manner that exemplifies Jesus Christ in all on and off-campus contacts thereby living out the servant leadership mission of the university and contributing effectively towards achieving the institutional and Kingdom goals of the organization.

Standards & Requirements

• Education: ALA-accredited Master's Degree in Library and Information Science (or equivalent)
• Experience: Minimum three years' experience related to public services In an academic setting.

Duties and responsibilities that do not constitute a major change may be added, deleted or changed at any time at the discretion of the supervisor either orally or in writing.

Trinity Western University is Canada’s premier Christian University of the arts, sciences, and professions.  Recognized for quality, TWU is consistently ranked among the top two universities in Canada for Educational Experience by the National Survey of Student Engagement; holds two Canada Research Chairs; wins National Championships in U Sports; and emphasizes experiential learning to prepare graduates to make a global impact. TWU has been developing leaders of character and competence for more than 50 years. Interested candidates are asked to carefully review the TWU Mission Statement, Statement of Faith, and Community Covenant (available here). Successful candidates must be willing to support these statements during their employment at TWU.