Assistant Professor/Research & Instruction Librarian – 002855 Position Available In Jackson, North Carolina

Assistant Professor/Research & Instruction Librarian

• 002855
  Western Carolina University
  in Cullowhee, NC

Apply Now Type:

Full-Time

Posted:

05/01/2025

Category:

Library and Information Science Assistant Professor/Research & Instruction Librarian

• 002855

Western Carolina University Department:

Access, Research & Instruction Services About WCU:

Western Carolina University continues to rank high on Forbes Best Employers lists each year.

Including:

2024

• Ranking in the top 8.5% on Forbes Americas Best Midsize Employers list, WCU was ranked 34 out of the top 400 employers across all industries.
  2023
• Ranked in the top 20% on Forbes Americas Best Midsize Employers list, WCU was ranked 97 out of the top 500 employers across all industries.
  2022
• Ranked 14th in the top 100 employers in North Carolina in Forbes Americas Best Employers by State list.

Western Carolina University is the UNC systems westernmost campus and has been consistently ranked as one of the top 15 public regional institutions in the South.
Employees of WCU are provided a comprehensive benefits package as well as other resources, policies and programs to ensure a happy and healthy work/life balance. Benefit eligible employees have access to dental, vision and health insurance plans

• eligibility begins on the first of the month following date of hire.

Retirement plan contributions begin on the eligibility date following election and include employer contributions for either a defined contribution or a defined benefit plan. Optional disability plans are also available.
Eligible employees have access to tuition waivers for up to three courses per academic year; employee may enroll at any of the constituent UNC System campuses. Also offered are free group exercise classes multiple times per week, a discounted membership to the campus recreation center, free vaccine and booster shots offered on campus, pretax flexible spending accounts, 12 paid holidays and 24 hours of paid community service leave each year. Leave earning employees (staff and 12-month faculty) who work at least half of the working days of their first month of employment will begin accruing vacation and sick leave immediately. Paid parental leave after 12 months of continuous service.
WCU offers an abundance of training and development programs, certifications, workshops and conferences

• many of which are offered free of charge.

Position Summary:

The primary location of this position is the main Cullowhee, NC campus. This is a twelve-month, tenure-track position at the rank of Assistant Professor/Research & Instruction Librarian. Hunter Librarys mission is to support the academic community in carrying out teaching, research activities, and university service programs. Hunter Librarys primary role is to assist Western Carolina University students in becoming competent and contributing members of the information society. This mission is accomplished by facilitating access to information and by teaching skills which promote discriminating use of information. The Access, Research, and Instruction Services (ARIS) Department supports this mission by providing research assistance to the students, faculty, and staff of the university. Department members provide this assistance through both face-to-face and virtual interaction by using various forms of technology. As the subject librarian for the College of Fine and Performing Arts, this librarian will assume primary responsibility for the promotion and delivery of library instruction and services to undergraduate and graduate students and faculty in the fine and performing arts and other disciplines, as assigned. This librarian will also be responsible for collection development and advocacy in these subject areas. This position also manages the Hunter Librarys Scholar Studio, a large makerspace that includes sewing machines, a Cricut machine, button makers, recording booths, and computers for editing audio and video, among other equipment. It involves overseeing the daily operations of this Studio and the services offered, in addition to supervising one full-time staff member who assists with the space. Other responsibilities include teaching workshops, offering individual assistance with equipment in the makerspace, organizing new equipment and resources, and troubleshooting issues. All ARIS librarians at Hunter Library provide interdisciplinary, high-quality research assistance in person at the reference desk, via chat, and by phone. Librarians also participate in interdisciplinary library instruction in a collegial environment and work on a flexible schedule, including work outside traditional business hours. ARIS librarians also participate-both on campus and at other instructional sites-in an active information literacy program and collaborate with colleagues in library-wide decision-making and initiatives. The successful candidate will assume responsibility for additional duties, projects, assignments, and initiatives as needed or assigned. Hunter Library is a progressive and innovative organization and serves a growing, dynamic university. It has a decades-long reputation for world-class service to faculty and students. Professional scholarship and development are expected and supported. This is a 12-month, tenure-track position reporting to the Head of Access, Research and Instruction Services. The successful candidate will be professionally engaged, inquisitive, creative, and up to the challenge of serving a growing and evolving College with a diverse offering of undergraduate and graduate programs, including online and distance education initiatives. Faculty librarians are fully committed to fulfilling tenure requirements in teaching/librarianship, service, and scholarship. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required for this position:
Desire to learn and practice the craft of reference in all subject areas
Demonstrated understanding of principles and best practices of information literacy instruction.
Knowledge of a wide range of information tools and sources and a creative, persistent approach to finding authoritative information.
Critical thinking, problem-solving, effective communication skills.
Initiative and ability to work productively, both independently and as a part of a team.
Familiarity with current trends in library technology and electronic resources, along with the ability to apply this knowledge to a local situation
Time management and organizational skills to balance a varied workload, including scholarship and service.
Commitment to public service.
Initiative to provide outreach to students, faculty, and other constituencies.
Flexibility to adapt and respond to the ever-changing landscape of information services in an academic library.

Minimum Qualifications:

A Masters degree from an ALA-accredited program of library or information science, or an international equivalent.
At least 2 years of experience providing information literacy instruction.
At least 2 years of experience providing research and reference assistance to library users in an interdisciplinary environment.
Demonstrated knowledge of the fine and performing arts, and general reference sources for these areas.

Preferred Qualifications:

An undergraduate or graduate degree in the fine or performing arts, or equivalent experience in a relevant discipline (please see the College of Fine and Performing Arts website here for schools and degrees.)
Classroom teaching experience
Experience with instructional design software such as LibGuides, Camtasia, etc.
Experience with audiovisual software, such as the Adobe Creative Suite
Experience with, or knowledge of, makerspaces
Experience supervising staff and/or student workers

Position Type:

Permanent Full-Time Special Instructions to

Applicants:

Application materials must be submitted online. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until a candidate has been selected for hire. Please include a cover letter, current curriculum vitae and a list of three professional references with full contact information. For questions or additional information please contact Meredith Saba at 828-227-3746 or msaba@wcu.edu AA/EOE
Western Carolina University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race; color; ethnicity; religion; sex; pregnancy; sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; national origin; age; disability; genetic information; political affiliation; National Guard or veteran status, consistent with applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations, and policies, and the policies of The University of North Carolina. Persons with disabilities requiring accommodations in the application and interview process please call (828) 227-7218 or email at jobs@email.wcu.edu. University Safety
The Western Carolina University Annual Safety Report is available online at University Annual Safety Report or in hard-copy by request at the office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, 227 HFR Administration Building, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828-227-7147) or the Office of University Police, 111 Camp Annex, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828-227-7301). The report, required of all universities participating in Title IV student financial aid programs, discusses crime statistics, procedures for reporting suspicious or criminal activity, security, police authority, crime prevention strategies, university policies on substance abuse and sexual offenses, workplace violence and fire safety. To apply, please visit: https://jobs.wcu.edu/postings/30828 jeid-094152011a3859469092aa39b8d1da53 Apply Now