First Year Experience and Student Success Librarian - Western Kentucky University

This is a ten-month, tenure-eligible faculty position reporting to the Department Chair of Library Public Services. The starting rank is Assistant Professor. The expected start date is August 15, 2021.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

The following duties are customary for this position but are not to be construed as all-inclusive. Duties may be added, dropped, and/or reassigned based on evolving library and institutional needs.

• Coordinates the creation, implementation, and assessment of first-year information literacy, academic success, and retention objectives.
• Coordinates, teaches, and assesses library instruction in University Learning and foundational courses.
• Collaborates with campus partners that support the first-year experience and coordinates meaningful and welcoming activities that foster student engagement and a sense of belonging.
• Engages in assessment of library resources, services, and activities, together with other librarians and library administration.
• Engages in planning, promotion, and delivery of library resources, services, and activities, together with other librarians and library administration.
• Collaborates and fosters collegial relationships with other campus departments and external groups as appropriate.
• Teaching, research/creativity activity, and university/public service as outlined in the university and department criteria for faculty rank and promotion.
• Engages in subject liaison and collection development activities, as assigned.
• Provides instruction, research assistance, and other reference services face-to-face and online.
• Develops and maintains online research guides and other instructional materials.

• A master's degree in library, archival, or information science from a program accredited by the American Library Association or international equivalent.
• Experience with, or demonstrated knowledge of, providing reference and research services in an academic environment.
• Experience with, or demonstrated knowledge of, engaging in outreach initiatives or designing outreach materials. 
• Demonstrated knowledge of best practices and current trends in information literacy instruction.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with faculty, staff, and students.
• Ability to meet the promotion and tenure criteria of the WKU Libraries Department of Library Public Services.
• Ability to work well independently and collaboratively with others in a rapidly changing environment, including remotely when required.
• Experience with, or knowledge of, creating online research guides, instructional videos, tutorials, and/or other digital learning objects and instructional support materials.
• Strong commitment to equity and inclusion and the ability to work effectively and collegially with students, faculty, and staff from diverse backgrounds.

Kentucky state law requires all public institutions of postsecondary education to conduct pre-employment criminal background checks to determine suitability for employment.

Western Kentucky University (WKU) is committed to a policy and practice of providing equal employment and educational opportunities to all individuals. In accordance with Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Revised 1992, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, no form of discrimination or harassment will be tolerated at WKU on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, national origin, creed, religion, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, marital status, age, uniformed services, veteran status, genetic information, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, or physical or mental disability in admission to career and technical education programs and/or activities, or employment practices.

Persons with disabilities, who need reasonable accommodations to participate in the application and/or selection process, should notify the office of Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action/University ADA Services (EEO). To request an accommodation, report/express a complaint, or ask questions regarding WKU's Discrimination and Harassment Policy (#0.2040), please contact Mr. Joshua Hayes, EEO Director/Title IX Investigator/University ADA Coordinator, via email at [email protected] or by phone at (270) 745-5121.

The University is also required to investigate complaints of sex and gender-based harassment, also a form of discrimination, and has designated the Title IX Coordinator as the individual responsible for coordinating the investigation and response to such complaints. The Title IX Coordinator for the University is Ms. Deborah Wilkins, who can be contacted via email at [email protected] or by phone at (270) 745-5396. Additional information regarding Title IX is accessible via WKU's https://www.wku.edu/titleix/ website.

Information concerning educational programs offered by WKU are provided at: http://www.wku.edu/atwku/academics.php

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