Description

The University of South Carolina Libraries invites applications for a dynamic and collaborative Research & Instruction Librarian to support teaching, learning, and research in the social, behavioral, and/or health sciences. This is an exciting opportunity for an engaged and student-centered librarian who enjoys building relationships, teaching information literacy, and partnering with faculty and campus colleagues in a vibrant academic environment.

 As part of a welcoming and innovative team, the librarian will provide support to undergraduate students, graduate students, faculty, and staff in-person and online through research consultations, workshops, and course-integrated instruction sessions. The successful candidate will help students develop critical research skills while collaborating closely with faculty to support student success and scholarly inquiry. As a part of University Libraries’ liaison program, librarians in this position foster strong partnerships with academic units across campus and have opportunities to shape instructional services, engage in outreach, and contribute to initiatives that support teaching and research at a major public research institution.

 The University of South Carolina is a nationally recognized R1 research university and the flagship institution of the state, with a growing and increasingly diverse student population. Located in the heart of Columbia, USC offers the energy of a large research university alongside a collegial campus culture that values collaboration, innovation, and community engagement.

 The Research & Instruction librarian provides information literacy instruction and research support to students, faculty, and staff of the University. The librarian develops instruction sessions and offers research consultations, for general topics as well as subject or course specific, and delivers them both in-person and online. The librarian assists with evidence synthesis support, including systematic reviews, across disciplines. The librarian participates in University Libraries’ liaison program in support of the teaching and research endeavors of the social, behavioral, or health sciences as assigned. Developing and strengthening relationships between the library and assigned departments, as well as across campus, is a focus of this position.

Functions:
An incumbent assigned this position will perform some or all the following approximately 95 percent of their time. As a tenure-track faculty member, the Librarian is expected to fulfill requirements in librarianship, service, and scholarly activity as described in University Libraries tenure criteria

Function: Research Support

• Assist students and faculty via scheduled or drop-in research consultations. Provide support for general topics as well as advanced consultation in areas of responsibility.
• Assist with systematic reviews and/or evidence synthesis projects
• Provide support for integrating technology (i.e. citation management software, AI applications, etc) to support or enhance research.
• Provide general research and reference assistance via chat, as required. Maintain a friendly, welcoming attitude towards patrons.
• Maintain and share awareness of trends and developments in research methodologies and practices in areas of responsibility.

Function: Instruction

• Design and teach instructional sessions and workshops in a variety of formats and create tutorials, guides, and other digital learning objects to develop and enhance students’ research and literacy skills.
• Partner with faculty to integrate research skills into the curriculum and develop collections which sustain and advance the university’s research goals.
• Participate in general instruction program, as well as instruction aimed at serving targeted populations such as first-year students, first-generation college students, international students, etc.

Function: Outreach & Engagement

• Seek opportunities to develop and strengthen relationships between the library and assigned departments, as well as across the university community.
• Collaborate with colleagues in other library departments to develop and promote collections owned or subscribed by the library.
• Participate in overall outreach efforts to build community and engage students and faculty with the library.

Function: Other duties

• Performs other duties as requested or required, whether specifically mentioned in this job description.

Requirements

Required Education and Experience:

• MLIS from an ALA-accredited program (or equivalent); another graduate degree and relevant experience will be considered.
• Experience providing general and in-depth research and/or instructional services.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities/Competencies:

• Ability to communicate effectively with users at all levels of expertise across disciplines.
• Projects an approachable and customer service-oriented attitude.
• Ability to collaborate effectively and work on teams.
• Ability to effectively and efficiently learn new resources.

Preferred Qualifications:

• 2+ years experience working in academic libraries
• Experience and/or training in conducting Systematic Reviews
• 2+ years experience in bibliographic instruction
• Experience in developing and producing online tutorials
• Experience as a liaison or academic training in the social, behavioral, or health sciences
• Familiarity with AI applications in library instruction and outreach, including in teaching