Head of Research and Information Services

Description

Are you a librarian with experience in the health sciences and/or medicine and a commitment to open access? 
 
Saint Louis University Libraries invite you to apply for the position of Head of Research & Information Services at the Medical Center Library. Supporting the Libraries' strategic plan and the University’s R1 research status, the successful candidate will coordinate the provision of reference services for four schools: Medicine, Nursing, Public Health & Social Justice, and the Doisy College of Health Sciences.  
 
Responsibilities include managing and supervising two faculty librarians, directing and providing reference and liaison services in support of the study, research, teaching, and clinical care needs of students, faculty, and staff, and coordinating library services related to open access, open repositories, and scholarly communication for the university.  
 
This position reports to the Associate Dean & Director of the Medical Center Library, serves on the Libraries Management Team, and will work collaboratively with the Head of Research and Teaching at the main library. 

Position Purpose 
 
The Head of Research & Information Services leads information literacy and research services at the Medical Center Library. Directly supervising a team of two librarians, this position envisions goals, sets priorities, and directs implementation for the Research and Information Services department. 
 
Position Summary 
 
Key responsibilities include coordinating the provision of reference services, including literature searches, supporting research initiatives; furthering evidence-based practices toward a common goal of high-quality synthesis for clinical care and published research; and assisting medical and health sciences faculty and students in the effective use of their literature. This position coordinates and participates in the library's program of instruction and serves as liaison to one or more medical or health sciences departments. The Medical Library serves Schools of Medicine, Nursing, Public Health & Social Justice, and a College of Health Sciences.  
 
In coordination with the Head of Research & Instruction at Pius Library, the Head is responsible for fostering relationships and engaging with university stakeholders to ensure our research and instruction activities are aligned with the University’s needs and priorities. 
 
This position will report to the Associate Dean/Director of the Medical Center Library and serve on the Libraries Management Team, working with other leaders in the library to advance the Libraries & Museums Strategic Plan.  
 
Leadership/Management (30%)

• Provides leadership and oversight to the Research and Information Services Department, emphasizing a user-centered approach with a focus on accessibility, equity, and inclusion.
• Provides vision and direction for managing and aligning the MCL’s liaison program, scholarly communication and other related initiatives with Pius Library
• Collaborates with colleagues at Pius Library to develop and refine liaisons services to ensure a strong and cohesive approach that meets campus needs.
• In conjunction with the general research library, coordinates partnerships to enhance the library’s teaching role and educational impacts. 
  Actively contributes to the Libraries Management Team
• Participates in library strategic planning and works collaboratively with other library department heads to achieve the Libraries’ strategic goals.
• Supervises two liaison librarians 
• Establishes and implements departmental goals, ensuring cohesive services and evaluating outcomes.
• Provides guidance and support to direct reports through regular feedback including annual performance appraisals.
• Represents the Medical Center Library in the absence of the Associate Dean/Director of MCL.  

Teaching, Instruction, Reference and Subject Liaison (30%)  

• Direct and provide reference and liaison services in support of the study, research, teaching, and clinical care needs of students, faculty, and staff, including systematic reviews.  
• Coordinate and oversee the delivery of reference and information services in-person, by phone, e-mail, chat, and other means of inquiry.  
• Lead an integrated library liaison outreach program to library users.  
• Maintain active collegial relationships with faculty, students, administration, and other clienteles.  
• Initiate service improvements and enhancements.  
• Coordinate education and outreach services to library users.  
• Develop and provide course-integrated education and library classes.  
• Oversee instruction for the Medical Information Management (MIM) course for incoming first-year medical students and advanced required and elective courses for medical students and other clientele.  
• Coordinate development of online tutorials and other electronic teaching materials.  
• Search and teach the biomedical literature following evidence-based methodology to provide high quality search results.  
• Provide instruction in the use of PubMed and other standard medical information resources. 

Scholarly Communication and Open Access (30%) 

• Coordinate library services related to open access, open repositories, and scholarly communication
• Actively participate in regional, national and international communities of practice around scholarly communication
• Provide consultation with faculty and others on topics related to scholarly communication and open access
• Assess Libraries research and scholarship initiatives and services
• Serve as an advocate and primary spokesperson to university leadership on issues, policies, and trends in scholarly communications
• Advocate for best practices in scholarly communications
• Stay abreast of changes in the scholarly communication landscape and contribute to the scholarly conversation

Service, Scholarship, and Professional Development (10%) 

• Serves on committees and task forces at the department, Libraries, and University level
• Participates in local, state, and national/international professional and scholarly societies and organizations 

Requirements

Required Qualifications  

• An American Library Association-accredited master’s degree in Library and Information Science (MLS/MLIS/MSIS) or international equivalent
• Minimum two years of increasingly responsible, professional, relevant work experience in an academic library or health sciences setting
• Experience supervising faculty librarians and/or staff
• Experience delivering teaching and learning modules in-person as well as in an online environment
• Experience with the health sciences and/or medicine  
• Demonstrated knowledge of scholarly communication practices, communities, and resources
• Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills
• Demonstrated commitment to and support for equity, diversity, and inclusion 

Preferred Qualifications 

• Subject master’s degree or PhD in related field  
• Ability to successfully foster library employee development
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively as a team member in a dynamic environment