Humanities and Student Success Librarian

 
Summary of Duties
 
Reporting to the Dean of Libraries & Archives, the Humanities and Student Success Librarian is responsible for providing research, teaching, and learning support in the Arts and Humanities as well as providing leadership for the Libraries’ student engagement and success initiatives. Working with the Mount Allison University Libraries & Archives' team of librarians and staff, this librarian participates in the delivery of research and learning support services and contributes to the collegial governance of the Libraries and Archives. The schedule may include evenings and weekends, on occasion. Other responsibilities include participating in the planning and preparation for the R.P. Bell Library Revitalization Project.  This is a two-year, term position with a start date of July 1, 2024 or as soon as possible.
 
Primary Responsibilities 

• Develop and deliver curricular and co-curricular programming and instruction to meet evolving student needs with a focus on supporting student success for first-year, first-generation, racialized, mature, and distance learners.
• Lead the development of an information and library literacy course in collaboration with academic partners; develop opportunities for micro-credentialing related to information and other literacies.  
• Lead the development of learning modules and other curricular content for the unit (e.g., modules that could be deployed in Moodle, LibGuides, YouTube, or other venues.) This may include materials such as “how-to” videos, one-pagers, PowerPoint slides, or other teaching materials related to information literacies and student success.
• Identify and cultivate relationships across campus that enhance the Library’s ability to support diverse learners in curricular and co-curricular capacities; serve as the Library’s main point of contact for student affinity and support units (e.g. with Academic Support, the Indigenous Student Advisor, International Centre, Meighen Centre for disability services, Spiritual Care, and the EDI Student Advisor); develop positive affiliations between the library and student body.  
• Serve as the library’s Academic Integrity Liaison in collaboration with teaching and public services librarians; develop educative materials and provide instruction to develop students’ ability to apply academic integrity principles appropriately.
• Serve as liaison librarian and point-of-contact for selected Arts & Humanities programs and departments: Classics, Drama & Screen Studies, English, Fine Arts, Modern Languages & Literatures, Museum & Curatorial Studies, Philosophy, Religious Studies, Visual & Material Culture Studies; provide collection development, instruction, research, and other library supports for these areas. Liaison areas may change depending on the needs of the unit.   
• Design, deliver, and assess specialized course-based instruction and workshops for students and faculty in assigned subject disciplines. Maintain active working knowledge of current pedagogical approaches, technologies, and tools to foster learning.
• As part of the public services team, provide research and learning support to students through a variety of methods including scheduled consultations, public service points, via workshops, or other methods.
• Contribute to the collaborative delivery of library services to faculty, students, and staff through team teaching, resource sharing, committee service, and participation in collaborative projects.

 As a member of Library Council, the incumbent will contribute to discussions, provide input, and may serve on or lead committees and teams. This librarian will also be expected to participate in R.P. Bell Library renovation planning. The successful candidate may be assigned responsibilities in other areas befitting the Libraries’ priorities and dependent on the successful candidate’s strengths and expertise. Some evening and weekend work may occur for special events. This position requires primarily in-person service.
 
Required Qualifications

• An MI or equivalent degree from an ALA-accredited library school
• Familiarity with best practices in pedagogy, particularly in library instruction  
• Demonstrated evidence of effective engagement strategies for relationship building and presentations to groups of all sizes
• Effective communication skills, including the ability to interact, communicate, and work effectively with individuals on a daily basis  
• Evidence of ability to plan and implement programming and outreach services for users coming from various backgrounds and subject disciplines
• Demonstrated commitment to inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility
• Evidence of a strong service orientation, and the instructional applications and technologies necessary to support the needs of students and faculty
• Excellent organizational skills and demonstrated ability to navigate multiple projects and responsibilities at the same time
• Demonstrated knowledge of issues related to library outreach, distance education, and/or instructional technology
• Ability to work well in a collegial environment
• Experience or familiarity with technologies or approaches commonly utilized in teaching and learning such as:
• Artificial Intelligence (AI)  
• Media creation (video, audio, and visual)
• Teaching through Learning Management Systems (Blackboard, Canvas, Moodle, etc.)
• Open access education (OER) materials
• Gamification of learning

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience providing information literacy instruction and outreach to first- and second-year students; or first-generation students; or racialized and/or international students; and/or neurodivergent students
• Knowledge of case-based teaching, flipped classrooms and/or other active teaching methods
• Recent experience working in an academic library
• Fluency in French

Preference will be given to candidates with a subject background or experience in one or more assigned liaison areas.  A Master of Arts degree will be considered an asset.
 
This position is represented by the Mount Allison Faculty Association and participation and involvement in scholarship, teaching and service is expected. The appointment will be made at the rank of Assistant Librarian. Salary will be within the established range and commensurate with qualifications and experience. In 2023-2024, the annual salary minimum for the rank of Assistant Librarian is $80,937.
 
The deadline for applications is June 27, 2024. A letter of application and curriculum vitae should be formatted as one PDF file and sent by email to Laura Landon, Chair of the Search Committee, care of:
 
Caroline Kaszar
Administrative Assistant
Mount Allison University Libraries and Archives
49 York Street
Sackville, NB E4L 1C6
Email: ckaszar@mta.ca
 
Mount Allison University, located in Sackville, NB, is a leader in providing quality liberal education to undergraduate students in arts, sciences, social sciences, fine arts and music. Mount Allison’s intimate educational environment extends learning beyond the classroom, encouraging the growth of the whole person through a full range of experiences in the campus and community.
 
The Mount Allison University Libraries and Archives is committed to working with students and faculty in order to meet their academic and research needs. Mount Allison Libraries & Archives includes the Ralph Pickard Bell Library, which is the main library, the Alfred Whitehead Music Library, and the University Archives. We invite you to look at our website for more information about the Libraries & Archives and about the University at www.mta.ca.
 
Mount Allison acknowledges, honours, and respects that the land named Sackville, NB is part of the unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq People who are the historic inhabitants, custodians, and dwellers on the land where our University is built and confirms its commitment to strengthening relationships with all Indigenous people. All members of the Library team are expected to enhance the capacity of the campus community with respect to Indigenous peoples’ histories, cultures, and experiences.  
 
At Mount Allison, we are committed to ensuring your interview experience is as comfortable and accessible as possible. If you require any accommodations or adjustments during the interview process, please do not hesitate to inform us. Your needs are important to us, and our dedicated team is here to support you.

Mount Allison University is committed to diversity and inclusiveness. We encourage applications from members of racialized communities, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, and persons of all sexual and gender identities. We seek candidates with qualifications and knowledge to contribute to the further diversification of our campus community.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. Canadian and permanent residents should indicate their citizenship status in their application.

Mount Allison University acknowledges, honours, and respects that the land named Sackville, NB is part of the unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq People who are the historic inhabitants, custodians, and dwellers on the land where our University is built and confirms its commitment to strengthening relationships with all Indigenous people.