Theological Studies Librarian

The Carl A. Rudisill Library at Lenoir-Rhyne University seeks a candidate to serve as the Theological Studies Librarian. This is a full-time, 12-month, non-tenure track faculty position.

The Theological Studies Librarian contributes to information literacy sessions, reference and research services and collection management with a focus on undergraduate and graduate students and faculty pursuing religious studies at the university including the B.A. in Religious Studies, M.Div., MACM in Christianity Ministry and MTS in Theological Studies.

This position supports the Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary, which will be relocated from the Columbia, SC, to the Hickory, NC, campus in January 2025. This position is responsible for collection management duties for the Seminary Library Collection, one of three collections in the Eastern Cluster of Lutheran Seminaries.

The Theological Studies 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 dean of university Library Services through policy-making, student worker staffing, 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 college's 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.

General Duties and Responsibilities

• Manages day-to-day operations of the collection
• Develops and administers operational policies and procedures relevant to the collection
• Hires, trains, supervises and evaluates student workers dedicated to the collection
• Manages all interlibrary loan requests specific to the seminary collection
• 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
• Administers the automated system, including system upgrades
• Maintains the library's website

Research Assistance and Instruction

• Provides research assistance to students, faculty and staff as needed
• Maintains research guides related to campus coursework
• Collaborates with faculty to promote integrating library services and resources into the curriculum, via the learning management system or other mechanisms
• Designs and delivers an information literacy program according to the ACRL Framework for Information Literacy for Higher Education
• Teaches library instruction sessions 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

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Education

• Required: master's degree from an ALA-accredited library/information science program
• Strongly preferred: additional master's degree in religious studies, theology, divinity or another closely related discipline from an accredited institution

Experience

• Three or more years of professional library experience is preferred but not required, preferably in an academic environment

Other requirements

• Knowledge of library collections and operations required; considerable knowledge preferred
• Commitment to the continuing improvement of high-quality services to library users
• Demonstrated experience using effective assessment tools and analyses
• Experience with current reference practices and technologies and proficiency in providing reference assistance, 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
• 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 preferred; interest required
• Experience with instructional or educational technology
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written
• Strong problem-solving and team-building skills
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively both independently and collaboratively
• Demonstrated ability to supervise, develop and motivate staff
• 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.

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
• Three references, including the names and addresses

The university's mission, vision and values statements may be reviewed on the university's About page. To ensure full review, completed applications must be submitted by October 28, 2024, and the search will continue until the position is filled.

Any questions regarding the position or the search process should be submitted electronically to the interim dean of the Lenoir-Rhyne University Libraries, Dawn Behrend, at [email protected].

About the Libraries at Lenoir-Rhyne University

The Libraries at Lenoir-Rhyne University aim to be the destination for information for our communities. To support this mission, the 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.