Head of Research and Teaching

Job Summary

Coordinates and advocates for the activities of the dynamic, six member Libraries Research and Teaching (RaT) team of academic subject librarians, acting as a strategic bridge between the team and other Libraries departments. Sets goals and objectives while fostering a culture of experimentation. Maintains a flexible team culture while connecting staff work to the broader curriculum. Develops strategies that align with the Libraries and the College. Assesses, evolves and promotes models for subject-specific teaching, outreach, and consultations that are responsive to the needs of faculty and students in an evolving learning environment. In collaboration with the Head of Collection Development Strategies, leads the activities of the subject librarians in selecting research materials through a model that views curation as a collaborative effort and ensures collections are integrated into the teaching mission. Serves as a subject librarian to select academic departments and programs to provide research workshops, consultations and collection development. Reports to the Director of Learning, Research and Technology (LRT).

As a manager within the Learning, Research and Technology team, a blended department of librarians and academic technologists, shared between the Libraries and ITS, collaborates in developing service strategies and models in the Libraries and advocates for the collective decision-making of members of Research and Teaching. As a leader in the organization, participates in overall Libraries leadership activities, Libraries Management Team and represents the Libraries and LRT in campus wide activities.

All Smith College employees take appropriate actions to support a diverse workforce and participate in the College's efforts to create a respectful, inclusive, and welcoming work environment.

Essential Functions

Management (40%):

Manages the Research and Teaching team in collaboration with the Learning, Research and Technology managers, the Libraries, ITS and campus partners. Coordinates with campus colleagues to develop innovative teaching practices, including addressing the critical implications of artificial intelligence and developing strategies to support data research needs. Leads and develops the Ask Us program including managing in-person and email research questions as well as training for referrals from other service points. Collaborates within the Libraries to develop consistent guidelines for collection development and management. Develops thoughtful and user centered processes for scholarly support and critical and inclusive assessment that are scalable, sustainable and in alignment with the Libraries. Updates members of Research and Teaching on information and activities from other departments within the Libraries.

Research Services (30%):

Directs a program of user centered and multi-modal research support for the Smith community. Leads and participates on the Libraries Teams, Committees and Working Groups as a representative for teaching, collections management and scholarly support. Collaborates with the Libraries, LRT, ITS and campus partners in the continuing development of service strategies and models in the Libraries.

Subject Librarian (20%):

Provides expert guidance to faculty and students in academic departments on research methods and resources. Develops online learning content for the Libraries website, including digital learning objects, subject and course resource online guides and other web-based tools and digital information services for assigned academic departments and as part of a team of teaching librarians. Participates in the Libraries consultation service and contributes to Zotero citation management software support including individual assistance and group workshops.

Additional Responsibilities (10%):

Engages in continuous professional self-development and keeps current with emerging library, educational technology, and digital scholarship practices, methodologies, and technologies. Participates in the work of the Libraries through service on library-wide and Five College consortium committees. Participates in library wide teams, committees and working groups and professional activities. Represents Smith College Libraries at conferences and collaborates with national organizations in pedagogy, librarianship, and emerging library practices.

Will include occasional nights and weekends. All employees are expected to participate in the College's efforts to create a respectful, inclusive, and welcoming work environment. Performs related duties as required.

MINIMUM REQUIRED Qualifications

Masters degree in Library Science, Information Studies, Education or equivalent field

At least 8 years of experience with teaching in a library setting and 3-5 years of leadership experience with research services in academic libraries

Knowledge of current issues and trends in pedagogy on the undergraduate and graduate level

Preferred Qualifications

Progressively responsible project, service or team management experience. A strong commitment to public service, knowledge of current issues and methods of teaching information literacy, including applications of artificial intelligence, and experience with providing research assistance. Strong knowledge of collection development and management practices. Experience working in highly-structured organizations, program development, assessment, user experience, universal design and managing service models in libraries. Experience navigating the organizational landscape of collective bargaining units (unions). Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills including service orientation with ability to interact with diverse constituencies. Subject area expertise in an academic discipline.

Skills

Knowledge of or experience with copyright, privacy, scholarly communication and open access. Understanding of the principles of accessibility and universal access design. Expertise with technology including knowledge of current libraries discovery systems, the Google suite, Springshare products and ethical applications of artificial intelligence. Strong cultural competencies and a demonstrated commitment to anti-oppressive professional practices.