The Head of Learning, Research, and Engagement Services leads the library’s strategic efforts to plan, implement, and coordinate an integrated educational and engagement program. This role involves collaborating closely with librarian colleagues and teaching faculty to develop a sustainable, impactful information literacy program that aligns with curricular goals and supports student academic success. The position provides leadership in creating and refining instruction-related policies, procedures, and practices that advance student learning, with a strong focus on assessing program effectiveness, curricular alignment, and student outcomes.
As the library continues to adapt to the increasing prominence of artificial intelligence (AI), open educational resources (OER), and digital scholarship, the Head of Learning, Research, and Engagement Services serves as a pivotal resource on the intersection of these emerging technologies and library services. This position also plays a critical role in fostering partnerships and collaboration across campus, working with academic departments, offices, and campus committees to strengthen the library’s engagement and educational efforts.
Responsibilities Learning & Instruction Services
Oversee the planning, development, and assessment of library educational programs, including orientation and course-integrated information literacy for undergraduate and graduate students.
Coordinate faculty development programs on topics such as intellectual property, AI, OER, and digital scholarship.
Partner with First-Year Seminar instructors to integrate information literacy into course design.
Lead the creation of instructional resources (e.g., research guides, videos, tutorials) for in- and out-of-classroom use.
Provide guidance to librarians and faculty on effective pedagogical practices for information literacy.
Collaborate with campus groups (e.g., First-Year Experience, AI groups, Moodle leadership) to stay engaged with emerging educational initiatives and promote library-based learning initiatives.
Research & Access Services
Oversee and coordinate research and access services in collaboration with other librarians.
Lead collection development for the reference collection, ensuring its relevance and accessibility.
Analyze reference service data and implement improvements.
Provide training and professional development on research and access services.
Supervise and assess access services functions (e.g., circulation, interlibrary loan, course reserves) in collaboration with the Access Services Manager.
Engagement & Outreach Services
Develop and coordinate engagement strategies to support student success for diverse learners in collaboration with library colleagues and campus partners.
Collaborate on student outreach activities.
Serve as the primary contact and faculty liaison for library instruction.
Coordinate and participate in first-year student library orientation.
Operational Leadership
Assessment
Develop initiatives to improve services and engagement.
Lead assessment of learning, research, and engagement services.
Use evidence-based decision-making to drive continuous service improvement.
Compile and report on library session and instructional data.
Leadership & Mentorship
Set goals to advance learning, research, and engagement efforts in collaboration with library colleagues.
Develop new services to support teaching, learning, research, and engagement.
Oversee and assess the library liaison program.
Ensure equitable access to library services for all students and faculty.
Develop a mentorship program for reference and instruction librarians.
Establish strategic priorities for library collections to support teaching and research.
General Operations
Provide operational leadership in the absence of the Dean/Director to ensure smooth library functions and support academic achievement, teaching, and faculty engagement.
Library Liaison, Service, & Scholarship
Serve as liaison to graduate programs and selected departments or interdisciplinary programs.
Build relationships with faculty, students, and academic partners.
Collaborate with departments on curricular development and support.
Manage physical and electronic collections, including purchasing and deaccessioning.
Contribute to reference and instruction services.
Engage in professional development and college service:
Participate in conferences, workshops, and committee work with library organizations.
Contribute to campus committees and initiatives aligned with the library’s goals.
Participate in events that advance the library, college, and profession.
Serve as an academic advisor.
Participate in college-wide events and academic functions.
This is a 12-month staff position, with PTO accrual. The librarian will receive an administrative faculty appointment, with rights and privileges of faculty in accordance with the Concordia College faculty handbook.
Benefits
Concordia College is proud to offer numerous benefits to its employees, including . Health Insurance . Flexible Savings Account . Vision Insurance . Dental Insurance . Preventative Chiropractic Program . Retirement Plan . Long-Term Disability Insurance (full-time only) . Life Insurance (full-time only) . Planned Time Off (PTO) starting at 18 days/year . 13 paid holidays including the time off in between Christmas and New Year . Paid parental leave . Extended Illness Benefit (EIB) . Up to 100% tuition for yourself and dependents with discounts and scholarships at Concordia College and Concordia Language Villages. . Up to 50% tuition discount for dependents with Oak Grove Lutheran Schools . Up to 100% tuition discounts with participating partners: CIC-TEP, ELCA schools, and Tuition Exchange Inc. . Extras: access to athletic facilities, library, fitness classes, athletic events, theatre events, purchase dining on campus, free MAT bus rides
EEO/AA Statement
Concordia College will not discriminate against or harass any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, creed, sex, religion, national origin, age, veteran’s status, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, familial status, public assistance status, membership or activity in a local human rights commission, or any other legally protected status.
Employment Contingencies
Background Check
Minimum Qualifications
ALA accredited degree or international equivalent
Excellent oral and written communication and interpersonal skills
Experience working in a collaborative environment
Experience developing, delivering, and assessing information literacy instruction
Experience providing reference/research services
Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in library collections and services
Knowledge of collection development practices and principles
Preferred Qualifications
Minimum of 3 years of related experience
Knowledge of the evolving scholarly communication and publishing marketplace, including copyright and intellectual property and open educational resources
Knowledge of library systems and emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence
Concordia's Mission: The purpose of Concordia College is to influence the affairs of the world by sending into society thoughtful and informed men and women dedicated to the Christian life. Concordia is a global liberal arts college rooted in the Lutheran intellectual tradition. We are an open and respectful community that nurtures students in their quest for authentic identity and life purpose. Concordia welcomes students from all spiritual and cultural backgrounds and seeks to prepare them for the great work of life. At Concordia, we seek to educate students in every aspect of their lives. Concordia's mission highlights our commitment to the Lutheran academic tradition, including discerning vocation and cultivating lives of meaning and purpose in service to the neighbor, seeking truth and asking hard questions with nothing off limits for inquiry and critique, encouraging students to explore their passionate convictions through civil discourse, recognizing that the complexities of life demand more than either/or thinking and simple answers, nurturing relationships, building community, and seeking mutual understanding in the pursuit of learning as a model for responsible engagement... in the world, and offering a distinct approach to learning by discussing faith and reason and linking the liberal arts, professional studies, and civic engagement. Rooted in our Lutheran identity, we respond to the generosity of God by reaching out to our neighbor with faith rooted in love. By cultivating a community that is open to all, we seek to build peace through understanding and serve the world together.
