[Web4lib] Two Librarian Positions Open at Amherst College

[Susan E. Edwards]

LIBRARIAN OPENINGS AMHERST COLLEGE LIBRARY, AMHERST, MA  

 

Amherst College is a liberal arts college committed to creating a
community diverse in background (without regard for ability to pay) and
to fostering a balance of intellectual and community engagement.
Amherst College Library has outstanding research level collections and
resources but is small enough for individualized work with students and
faculty.  As part of the Five College Consortium, students take classes
and borrow materials from three nearby colleges and the University of
Massachusetts/Amherst.

 

Amherst College Library seeks two enthusiastic librarians strongly
committed to undergraduate education and to the active support of
faculty and student research to join its Public Services. Successful
candidates will be expected to contribute to Library initiatives that
further the College's commitment to diversity and inclusion.

 

ACCESS SERVICES LIBRARIAN

 

The Access Services Librarian will lead a team of at least eight staff
and sixty-five student employees responsible for circulation stack
maintenance, reserves, and direct loans among the Five College
libraries. The Access Services Librarian will play a key role in the
evaluation and management of modules in a new integrated library system
(Ex Libris) and represent Amherst College Library on Five College
committees overseeing the new system. The Access Services Librarian must
be able to plan long term for the effective organization and maintenance
of collections and the allocation of space in light of changing
technology and new forms of scholarly communication. S/he will also
participate in general reference and instruction, providing individual
guidance and group instruction in identifying, retrieving and evaluating
information in all formats. S/he will also contribute to the Library's
Collection Development Group, serving as liaison and selector for at
least one department in the social sciences or humanities. S/he reports
to the Head of Public Services.

 

Qualifications: Must have a strong academic background in humanities or
social sciences as well as a Master's Degree from an ALA-accredited
program. Minimum of 3 years professional service in an academic library,
with substantial experience in using integrated library systems and in
reference and/or instruction. Must have experience supervising people
and programs and be willing to pay special attention to staff
development and training. Must be fluent in current and emerging library
technology and possess strong skills in using statistics for assessing
and enhancing public services, collection building, and space planning.
Strong communication skills required. Must show willingness to tackle
challenges in library public services with energy and enthusiasm.
Demonstrated ability to teach, collection development experience, and
working knowledge of at least one foreign language strongly preferred. 

 

REFERENCE/INTERLIBRARY LOAN LIBRARIAN

 

The Reference/Interlibrary Loan librarian will offer individual
reference consultations and group instruction in identifying, retrieving
and evaluating information in all formats. S/he will serve as liaison to
at least three academic departments in humanities and/or social
sciences, developing collections, monitoring budgets, selecting print
and electronic resources, and communicating about the Library to
faculty. S/he will participate in the development of the Library's
website, with an emphasis on selecting resources for courses and for
liaison departments. In addition, the Reference/Interlibrary Loan
Librarian will assume responsibility for the most effective delivery of
research materials not owned by the Amherst College Library and will
supervise the Library's interlibrary loan and document delivery
services. S/he will be knowledgeable about current trends in technology
and in academic publishing and will formulate long term plans for
delivery services within the context of those trends. This librarian
will apply strong analytical skills to use information generated by
interlibrary and document delivery services to assess and enhance public
services and resource building. S/he reports to Head of Public Services.

 

Qualifications: Must have an academic background in humanities or social
sciences as well as a Master's Degree from an ALA-accredited program.
Minimum of 3 years professional service in an academic library,
including experience with interlibrary cooperation and reference and/or
instruction.  Demonstrated ability to teach required. Must be fluent
with current and emerging information technology, especially with
systems that facilitate delivery of research materials from beyond local
libraries and with statistical analysis of services. Strong
interpersonal and communications skills required. Demonstrated capacity
for close cooperation with students , faculty, college administrators
and staff within and outside the Library. Must be enthusiastic about
playing an active role in undergraduate education and must demonstrate
an awareness of issues and developments in the liberal arts curriculum.
Must be willing to tackle challenges in library services, showing
patience, tact, and good humor in the face of the demands of public
service.  Supervisory experience, collection development expertise, and
a working knowledge of at least one foreign language strongly preferred.

 

Applications received before March 2, 2007 are guaranteed consideration.
Applications will be accepted until the positions are filled. Interested
candidates should submit a letter of application, resume, and names of
three references to Access Services Librarian Search Committee OR
Reference/Interlibrary Loan Librarian Search Committee, Office of Human
Resources, Amherst College, AC #2204, Amherst MA 01002-5000.