Job Summary:

 

Reporting to the Director of Collections Strategy and Library Operations (CSLO), The Community and Student Engagement Librarian (CSEL) will, in collaboration with colleagues across Barnard Library and Academic Information Services (BLAIS), engage internal and external communities through programing and develop student support services within the library, especially those that seek to rectify inequalities. Informed by anti-racist, feminist, critical practice, this new position is aligned with Barnard’s institutional priorities of inclusion,community engagement, racial justice and equity, and wellbeing. The CSEL will apply creativity, and excellent project management skills to engagement work and supporting student success. As the  leading member of the access services team, the CSEL will also support equitable and engaging access to library spaces and resources.

 

Job Description:

Community Engagement

• Develop and coordinate innovative library-based programming and outreach to external communities, in particular programming that highlights the library’s resources and collections to address concerns of social justice and equity; and support integration of the rich menu of programming already offered within BLAIS, Barnard’s Academic Centers, and partners across Barnard. 

• Formulate and develop partnerships with community based organizations, particularly those in the local Harlem community and those whose work focuses on equity and lifting the voices of traditionally marginalized communities.

• Explore and develop partnerships with other libraries engaged in community support work, including public libraries.

• Partner and collaborate with colleagues across Barnard to develop ongoing engagement programs such as fellowships, internships, exhibitions, mentorship, and events, and explore opportunities for grant-based programs within BLAIS. 

Student Engagement

On a day-to-day level, The CSEL position is grounded in sustaining and growing a robust program of student engagement and support:

• Lead Access Services team to develop and deliver student engagement activities and programming  such as book clubs, orientation events, stress-relief activities, and tours of library spaces and of the interdisciplinary centers. 

• In partnership with the CSLO staff and the Teaching, Learning, and Research Services team (TLRS), develop a critical, person-centered, pedagogy at the circulation and help desk such as basic “Library 101” instruction workshop, and point-of-need support. 

• Establish engagement goals and objectives, and maintain reports of meaningful qualitative and quantitative assessment of library engagement programs.

Access Services Team Lead

Supervise 3 circulation and reserves staff members; encouraging their leadership, and partnering with them to cultivate a holistic, critical, inclusive, engagement-centered approach across access services.

• Coordinate the work of the Circulation & Help Desk, by supporting the staff team, creating best practices, and innovating new practices, conducting training, assessing, and reporting.

• Coordinate and support access to Barnard Library spaces, including managing hours, swipe access, technology, and signage, with attention to equity.

• Maintain, track, and forecast budget for access services programs.

• Fill in for access services staff at the circulation desk as needed.

 

Salary Range: $ 80,000- 85,000

 

Skills, Qualifications & Requirements:

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of trends in critical/inclusive pedagogy, access services, community engagement, and student support.

• Knowledge of issues related to social and community issues and social justice movements.

• Outstanding organizational and project management skills, including utilizing excel and working with data reports.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills.

• Some experience building web content and creating accessible online teaching tools.

• Demonstrated ability to share, learn, and use inclusive language to create an environment that affirms various gender, race, ability, and class identities in the workplace.

• Demonstrated initiative and the ability to create and thrive in a collaborative work  environment.

 

Required Qualifications

• 5-7 years of experience within libraries

• Experience focused on student or community engagement, and/or  access services

• Experience in designing and leading outreach and educational programs, and community engagement projects, and/or events and/or experience working with Community Based Organizations

• Experience working with library catalog systems (particularly Voyager)

• Demonstrated excellence in centering equity and inclusion in working with students and/or community members

• Demonstrated excellence in mentoring, collaborating with, and supporting staff and/or student staff members

• A Masters of Library Science or other advanced degree in a related field

 

Physical Demands may include

• Ability to lift items weighing as much as 25 lbs. Ability to carry, lift, and shelve books and equipment. Ability to push full book carts.

• Tolerance for possible exposure to dust and mold on books and shelves.

• Ability to perform office tasks such as sitting and/or standing, moving, computing, and answering telephone for moderate to prolonged periods of time combined with moderate reaching, bending, and lifting.

We encourage applicants who have experience in some areas, and a commitment to learning in others. If this role interests you, we encourage you to apply.

 

Application: 

• Letter of application

• CV

• List of references

• Statement of commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (one paragraph)

 

This job description is intended as a summary of the primary responsibilities of and qualifications for this position. The job description is not intended as inclusive of all duties an individual in this position might be asked to perform or all of the qualifications that may be required either now or in the future.

Apply online here