Library Reference Assistant

Description

Cedar Crest College seeks a Library Reference Assistant to join the Cressman Library. The position will be responsible for covering two weekday evening shifts and one weekend day shift (15 hr/week). The successful candidate will have a vision for student success and equitable learning in library services, information literacy, and collections management. The reference assistant will provide library users with guidance in using the library's collections/services to fulfill their needs, monitor the online reference chat service, supervise student assistants in Lending Services, represent all departments of the library to the public when on duty. Additionally, tasks include running events, designing displays, posting updates to social media and the creation of LibGuides to promote the library. As a women’s college with co-educational adult and graduate programs, Cedar Crest offers 38 bachelor-degree programs and an advancing portfolio of master's degrees and practitioner doctorates. Our mission is to educate the next generation of leaders, especially women, for life in a global community.

The Reference Assistant will be expected to work as a team member with the Cedar Crest library staff in delivering effective library services to the Cedar Crest College community. The assistant will empower users to navigate a complex information environment while providing services that are adaptive to user needs. They will also develop job skills that reinforce the duties and responsibilities of the position, and undertake projects assigned by the supervisor. They will be responsible for interpreting the library's lending and interlibrary loan policies and procedures to users as well as preparing reading lists, instructional tools, and bibliographies responding to users’ needs.

Application Instructions 

Please submit a letter of interest (cover letter), resume, three references, and an inclusion statement* 

 *Inclusion Statement on the Cedar Crest College Commitment to Belonging:

Cedar Crest College, a liberal arts college, empowers its diverse student body made up primarily of women, adult undergraduate and graduate students. The College is committed to educational excellence, leadership, and civic engagement in a pluralistic society. We thus embrace an inclusive community that brings together students, faculty, and staff of different racial and multi-racial, ethnic and multi-ethnic, gender and sexually diverse, religious and nonreligious, economic, and national identities and ages.

As part of the application process, Cedar Crest College would like to learn more about your commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging. Please submit an inclusion statement (at least 3-4 paragraphs) on past experiences, current efforts and/or future aspirations that promote inclusion within your work. Please explain through specific examples how these perspectives can contribute to the College’s mission of being an inclusive community.  

Feel free to indicate how your own identities and life experiences have prepared you to be part of a community that values diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging. Those experiences can include but are not limited to:  

• Your own understanding of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging
• Service-based work
• Other certifications and/or experiences working with marginalized groups 

About Cedar Crest College: 

Cedar Crest College, founded in 1867, is an independent liberal-arts college for women that emphasizes cross-disciplinary cooperation and excellence in teaching and research. We have been leading the way for over 150 years for women in higher education with a continued commitment to providing access to education for underrepresented populations. Cedar Crest enrolls over 1500 students annually through our traditional undergraduate programs for women and our co-education programs in the School of Adult and Graduate Education.We offer an exceptional benefit package and work-life balance. Our commitment to health and wellness on campus is evidenced by our updated fitness center, our aquatic center focused on healthy lifestyles, and our smoke and tobacco-free campus. The College’s beautiful 84-acre campus, a registered national arboretum, is located in the Lehigh Valley in eastern Pennsylvania, conveniently located between Philadelphia and New York City. Cedar Crest College is a part of the Lehigh Valley Association of Independent Colleges, a consortium of six colleges and universities.  

Cedar Crest College is an equal-opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion within its community.The College encourages applications from individuals belonging to marginalized groups in higher education, in support of our diverse student community. 

The large majority of Cedar Crest’s students—nearly ninety percent—are women. More than one third are students of color and nearly forty percent are first-generation college students; they are religiously diverse and diverse in terms of gender and sexuality. Our population also includes students from many different countries, in addition to the U.S. 
We seek to recruit faculty who are prepared to teach our students, to engage their curiosity, and to inspire their persistence. 

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

Cedar Crest College values difference in a diverse, inclusive and equitable learning and working environment. The College provides equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, veteran status, disability or any other status protected by law. All decisions regarding terms and conditions of employment will be made on the basis of ability and competency to perform the services required.  This applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to recruitment, selection, placement, transfer, promotion, training, compensation, benefits and termination.  

Requirements

A Bachelor’s degree in applicable discipline is preferred, as well as some prior library experience. Demonstrated experience providing exceptional customer service is required.