Reference & Instructional Services Librarian

Position Functional Statement: Responsible for providing assistance to patrons and colleagues within an integrated team environment. Primary activities include general reference and information services; user education; mediated searching; health information outreach to unaffiliated individuals; participation in opportunities for professional growth and special projects to enhance library services. This position is supervised by the Head of Reference & Instructional Services.

Responsibilities

Provides assistance to patrons and library staff. Duties may include but are not limited to:

• Assists individuals visiting the library with information needs
• Refers patrons to other services/sources as necessary
• Answers the department telephone, checks messages, redirects calls as appropriate
• Monitors the department inbox; consults the Department Head about the triaging of requests
• Covers service points within the library (Information Desk; Service Desk; History of Medicine) as needed

Conducts mediated searches requested by patrons. Duties may include but are not limited to:

• Selects and searches appropriate databases or other resources
• Delivers search results to patrons; clearly communicates relevant information about results and invites follow-up questions
• Initiates and actively participates in peer-led search discussions/demonstrations to refine search skills and address challenging searches; incorporates feedback into search revisions

Develops instructional materials and delivers timely and relevant user education. Duties may include but are not limited to:

• Utilizes instructional design techniques and technology to produce materials such as videos, tutorials, handouts, presentations, and guides
• Teaches classes both in-person and virtually about the use of library services, online databases/interfaces, access to print and electronic content, etc.
• Prepares focused, customized instruction (consultations) for individuals or small groups who are working on specific projects or who have particular needs
• Coordinates all instruction requests with the Department Head
• Initiates and actively participates in peer-led discussions to plan instructional sessions and debrief afterwards; incorporates feedback into instruction
• Attends and participates in credit courses delivered to graduate students in the University of Oklahoma School of
• Library and Information Studies

Participates in health information outreach activities. Duties may include but are not limited to:

• Assists with programs and services for unaffiliated user groups such as consumers, health care professionals, and public librarians
  • Coordinates and/or participates in site visits
  • Develops instructional/program/promotional materials
  • Teaches classes both in-person and virtually, in settings such as libraries, community-based organizations, and other academic institutions

Engages in activities that promote professional growth. Duties may include but are not limited to:

• Participates in professional organizations (attends conferences, serves on committees, presents posters/papers, etc.)
• Recognizes gaps in learning and intentionally seeks out training to learn new skills (attends seminars/classes, reads professional journals, etc.); integrates those skills into job performance
• Initiates/actively collaborates in writing projects such as funding proposals, manuscripts, etc.

Performs other library activities as assigned. Examples include but are not limited to:

• Assists with the development of library/department policies and procedures
• Reviews and evaluates print and electronic materials for the collection
• Maintains the print Reference collection
• Assists other departments with special projects such as processing donated items, verifying citations for document delivery, creating finding aids for the HOM collection, and helping with library events
• Serves on library committees

Education: Master’s degree from an ALA accredited library school or within 12 months of degree completion

Experience: 

Certifications/ Licenses: 

Equivalent/ Substitution:  

Preferred:  24 months library experience in a health sciences environment

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities/Other Characteristics:

• Excellent verbal and written communication/interpersonal skills
• Strong service orientation
• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and as part of an integrated team
• Ability to initiate, plan, and organize projects and follow through to completion

Contact: Phill Jo, MLIS | Associate Professor & Head, Access Services | Chair, Search Committee | [email protected]