Electronic Resources and Systems Librarian

Description

General Description/Primary Purpose

Lenoir-Rhyne University seeks a candidate to serve as the Electronic Resources and Systems Librarian. This is a full-time, 12-month, non-tenure track faculty position at the Carl A. Rudisill Library on the Hickory, NC campus. This is an on-campus position. The Electronic Resources and Systems Librarian coordinates the selection, licensing, acquisition, and activation of electronic resources and maintains related library systems to ensure that students and faculty have access to the resources they need for teaching and learning. The position also serves as the primary librarian for graduate education outside of the health sciences programs by providing reference, library instruction, and promotion of library resources and services to students and faculty in those programs.  The Electronic Resources and Systems Librarian is service-oriented and student-centered, actively promoting excellence in library services through the proactive development and implementation of innovative instruction and of instructional materials and in-person and virtual reference and instruction, and who will support faculty of graduate education programs through the integration of library resources into the curriculum.  

The Electronic Resources and Systems Librarian will:

• Support all Lenoir-Rhyne University faculty, students, and staff as well as community members who have library privileges with appropriate library resources and services.  
• Promote excellence in library services in coordination with the Lenoir-Rhyne Dean of University Library Services through policy making, service, and professional development.
• Work effectively with colleagues, staff, and student employees to advance the mission and vision of the library and the university.
• Operate within the guidelines of applicable laws, national library protocols, and university and library policies and procedures.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion 

Diversity, equity and inclusiveness are integral to the libraries’ commitment to excellence in research, engagement and education. We are particularly interested in candidates who have demonstrated experience engaging with diversity through activities such as fostering an inclusive environment, working with students from diverse backgrounds and/or incorporating diverse perspectives in library resources and services. 

Specific Job Functions

General Duties and Responsibilities

• Manages collection development for books, periodicals, media, and electronic resources in coordination with other librarians.
• Explores new and emerging technologies that may aid in the promotion and delivery of library services.
• Assists in maintaining the libraries' websites.
• Contributes to student success by providing the necessary breadth and depth of resources aligned with the undergraduate and graduate curriculum.  

Electronic Resources and Systems 

• Coordinates ordering work for subscriptions and services, including negotiating complex license agreements, in compliance with university policies and state laws.
• Coordinates receiving and activation work for resources in all formats, ensuring that library systems accurately reflect holdings and access rights so users can locate the required resources.
• Provides data, analysis, and recommendations to support selection and budgeting decisions.
• Works closely with the Office of Information Technology to support access to the library’s electronic resources.

Cataloging 

• Adds to, maintains and withdraws print and media materials from library catalog as needed in conjunction with the Evening Supervisor and Coordinator of Library Operations.
• Performs copy and original cataloging as needed using the ILS, OCLC and standard cataloging protocols such as LC, AACR2 and MARC. Cataloging includes additions of books, media, standing orders and gifts, as well as withdrawals and changes to location or other data in conjunction with the Evening Supervisor and Coordinator of Library Operations.
• Continually updates and corrects Rudisill Library holdings in OCLC union catalog.
• Functions as circulation manager by maintaining the circulation system and managing patron uploads.

Research Assistance and Instruction 

• Provides reference and instruction assistance in a variety of formats to the University community and members of the general public.
• Serves as the library liaison to the Lenoir-Rhyne University’s graduate students and faculty outside of the health sciences providing library services including library instruction, creation of instruction materials, in-person and virtual reference, and supporting faculty through the integration of library resources into the curriculum.
• Teaches library instruction sessions to undergraduate and graduate courses utilizing high-impact educational practices in various modalities using articulated learning outcomes with appropriate methods of assessment.   

Service and Professional Development 

• Pursues continuing education and professional development activities to strengthen individual competencies, improve library operations, or contribute to the field.
• Fulfills university expectations for campus participation and community service.

Additional Duties and Tasks 

• Supervises the library in the night and weekend rotation if necessary.
• Provides circulation and other general assistance as needed.
• Assists with outreach and promotion of library resources and services. 

About the Lenoir-Rhyne University Libraries 
It is the vision of the Lenoir-Rhyne University Libraries are the destination for information for our communities. In support of the mission of the University, the Lenoir-Rhyne University Libraries provide exceptional physical and virtual environments to engage our communities in learning.  

About Lenoir-Rhyne University 
Lenoir-Rhyne University is a co-educational, private masters comprehensive liberal arts institution founded in 1891, with its traditional campus located in Hickory, North Carolina, a town of more than 40,000. The university has additional campus centers in Asheville, NC, and Columbia, SC, which include the Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary (LTSS). Situated in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Lenoir-Rhyne is less than an hour’s drive from Charlotte, and the Hickory–Lenoir–Morganton Metropolitan Statistical Area has a population of about 365,000. The university now offers more than 50 undergraduate and 30 graduate degree programs to approximately 2400 students. Lenoir-Rhyne University seeks to liberate mind and spirit, clarify personal faith, foster physical wholeness, build community, and promote responsible leadership for service worldwide. Affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), Lenoir-Rhyne promotes diverse campuses open to people from all religious and non-religious backgrounds. Please visit our About page to learn more about the university. 

Notice of Non-Discrimination and Equal Employment 
Lenoir-Rhyne University does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, citizenship, religion, political affiliation, age, marital status, sex/gender, physical or mental disability, genetic information, pregnancy or veteran status in any educational programs and activities, including admissions. Lenoir-Rhyne’s policy of nondiscrimination and equal opportunity extends to all aspects of employment, including, but not limited to, recruitment, hiring, training, promotion, transfer, reassignment, demotion, discipline, discharge, performance evaluation, compensation and benefits. Lenoir-Rhyne is committed to providing an environment that promotes nondiscrimination, equal opportunity, and inclusion for faculty, staff, students, contractors, volunteers and visitors. 

Application Process

While completing the application, candidates will be prompted to submit a:

• Letter of application specifically discussing how one’s professional experiences and perspectives relate to the needs of the position.
• Resume or Curriculum vitae, including the names and addresses of three references.

The university’s mission, vision and values statements may be reviewed on the university's About page on our website, at https://www.lr.edu/. To ensure full review, completed applications must be submitted by January 6, 2025, and the search will continue until the position is filled.

Requirements

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 

Education:   
Required: Master's degree from an ALA-accredited library/information science program 
 
Experience:   
Three or more years of professional library experience is preferred but not required, preferably in an academic environment. 
 
Other requirements (preferred unless noted):  

• Knowledge of library collections and operations required; considerable knowledge preferred.  
• Experience with in-person and virtual library instruction and the preparation, design, and maintenance of instructional materials/tutorials in a variety of online formats.
• Commitment to the continuing improvement of high-quality services to library users.
• Excellent knowledge of and experience with office productivity software required, particularly Microsoft applications.
• Demonstrated experience using effective assessment tools and analyses.
• Experience with current reference practices and technologies and proficiency in providing reference assistance both in-person and virtually, utilizing a wide array of online and traditional library resources.
• Familiarity with online catalogs, electronic library collections, chat services, course-management systems, social media, and web-authoring tools required, especially LibGuides.
• Knowledge of marketing and outreach and current trends in libraries in higher education.
• Knowledge of and use of ACRL's Framework for Information Literacy for Higher Education, and of general library instruction theory and practice. 
• Demonstrated teaching experience and familiarity in various pedagogical techniques and with creating instructional and information materials such as online tutorials, surveys, and research guides strongly preferred; interest required.  
• Experience with instructional or educational technology.
• Knowledge of, and commitment to, student success initiatives.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, required.
• Strong problem-solving and team-building skills. 
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively both independently and collaboratively. 
• Demonstrated experience engaging with diversity through activities such as fostering an inclusive environment, working with students from diverse backgrounds and/or incorporating diverse perspectives in library resources and services.