25-47 Tenure Track Assistant Professor, Social Sciences Librarian
West Chester University of Pennsylvania
Application
Details
Posted: 13-Nov-24
Location: West Chester University
Internal Number: 4726509
Join a vibrant equity-minded campus community of educators whose excellence is reflected in its diversity and student success. West Chester University (WCU) Libraries invites applicants for the position of Social Sciences Librarian. This is a Full-Time, 9-month, Tenure-Track, Assistant Professor position. The position begins in August 2025.
West Chester University, a member of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, is a public, comprehensive institution committed to offering high-quality undergraduate education, selected post-baccalaureate and graduate programs, and a variety of educational and cultural resources for its students, alumni, and citizens of southeastern Pennsylvania. The University offers more than 100 graduate and undergraduate programs in the sciences and mathematics, business and public management, arts and humanities, health sciences, education and social work, music, and interdisciplinary studies. We are a community of educators dedicated to developing graduates who succeed personally and professionally and contribute to the common good.
The mission of the University Libraries is to empower intellectual exploration through building connections, collections, and community. As an active member in the University?s academic programs, the libraries are a major contributor to WCU?s core mission of student success. The faculty members serve as both instructors of information literacy and stewards of library resources. Learn more about West Chester University?s Libraries.
The Social Sciences Librarian will be expected to develop responsive collections, teach inclusive instruction, provide research support, and make scholarly contributions to the profession. This faculty position involves responding to the scholarly and curricular needs of their assigned social science departments and identifying opportunities for engagement and collaboration. The ideal candidate is people-centered and thrives in collaborative environments. The faculty member will collaborate with other university faculty and staff to ensure student success. May work some evening and weekend hours.
Responsibilities include:
Serve as a subject specialist to social sciences departments, including but not limited to Psychology, Political Science, and Social Work. Other areas, within specialization, may be assigned based on needs
Create effective ongoing channels of communication with departments to become aware of user needs, curricular trends, and identify opportunities for collaboration
Serve as a participating member of the University Libraries instruction program and teach using dynamic and inclusive pedagogical methods
Create accessible learning objects such as slides, tutorials, videos, research guides, and worksheets
Provide in-person and virtual research consultations to students and faculty, as well as in-person drop-in, chat, email, and telephone research assistance and reference services from designated shifts on the Research Help Desk. May work some evening and weekend hours
Develop, curate, and manage relevant collections that meet the research and curricular needs of students and faculty within assigned areas
Grow professionally and adapt to change by staying aware of current trends, developments, and best practices within librarianship and assigned social science areas
Engage in scholarship that includes research, scholarly, and/or creative activities. This is necessary for tenure and promotion
Serve the Libraries, University, the community, and the greater library profession through participation in various committees, conference attendance, engagements, and similar activities
Participate in library and university shared governance
Support faculty and students with values grounded in the University mission, vision, and values including diversity, equity, inclusivity, and belonging
Perform other duties as assigned
Master?s degree in a Library Science program or closely related degree from an accredited American Library Association program
At least 2 years of working experience in an academic library, research environment, or social sciences field; working independently and collaboratively with others
Ability to effectively communicate in writing and verbally, and present dynamically to a variety of constituents
Experience teaching and familiarity with core principles of information literacy
Demonstrated experience advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging
Academic degree or coursework in the social sciences; and/or
Experience as a social science librarian, or work within a related field; and/or
Demonstrated project management skills, leadership, and initiative; and/or
Familiarity with a variety of instructional and library software/technology/applications such as learning management systems, SpringShare applications, Primo, Alma, etc.; and/or
Experience using a wide range of social science information/data resources and databases; and/or
Familiarity with social science research methods and scholarly publishing trends; and/or
Ability to work effectively independently and collaboratively in a collegial academic setting; and/or
Experience developing, curating, and assessing library collections especially related to the social sciences; and/or
Experience providing reference and research services in-person and virtually to students and faculty; and/or
Record of professional service, scholarship, publication, and/or presentations at a national level
West Chester University (WCU) of Pennsylvania is among the top regional comprehensive public universities in the nation, serving more than 17,500 students at the undergraduate and graduate levels with a national reputation for excellence, value, and student success. Founded in 1871 as an institute for teacher preparation, West Chester offers more than 118 undergraduate and 103 graduate programs in more than 50 fields of study. In addition to the main campus in West Chester, the University offers programs through its graduate center, the Philadelphia campus, and online. Five colleges and two schools comprise the University: Colleges of Arts and Humanities, Business and Public Management, Education and Social Work, Health Sciences, and the Sciences and Mathematics, as well as the School of Music, and the School of Interdisciplinary and Graduate Studies. Located in Chester County (25 miles from downtown Philadelphia) the area combines the best of enjoyable daily living with easy access to the full spectrum of country and city attractions. We are a community of educators dedicated to developing graduates who succeed personally and professionally and contribute to the common good.