Assistant Professor/Research & Instruction Librarian - #002855

Assistant Professor/Research & Instruction Librarian – #002855 Please see Special Instructions for more details. Application materials must be submitted online. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until a candidate has been selected for hire. Please include a cover letter, current curriculum vitae and a list of three professional references with full contact information. For questions or additional information please contact Meredith Saba at 828-227-3746 or msaba@wcu.edu Posting Details Posting Information Posting Number FAC838P Quick Link for Internal Postings https://jobs.wcu.edu/postings/30828 Classification Title Assistant Professor Working Title Assistant Professor/Research & Instruction Librarian – #002855 Department Access, Research & Instruction Services About WCU Western Carolina University continues to rank high on Forbes \’Best Employers\’ lists each year. Including: * 2024 – Ranking in the top 8.5% on Forbes \’America\’s Best Midsize Employers\’ list, WCU was ranked 34 out of the top 400 employers across all industries. * 2023 – Ranked in the top 20% on Forbes \’America\’s Best Midsize Employers\’ list, WCU was ranked 97 out of the top 500 employers across all industries. * 2022 – Ranked 14th in the top 100 employers in North Carolina in Forbes \’America\’s Best Employers by State\’ list. Western Carolina University is the UNC system\’s westernmost campus and has been consistently ranked as one of the top 15 public regional institutions in the South. Employees of WCU are provided a comprehensive benefits package as well as other resources, policies and programs to ensure a happy and healthy work/life balance. Benefit eligible employees have access to dental, vision and health insurance plans – eligibility begins on the first of the month following date of hire. Retirement plan contributions begin on the eligibility date following election and include employer contributions for either a defined contribution or a defined benefit plan. Optional disability plans are also available. Eligible employees have access to tuition waivers for up to three courses per academic year; employee may enroll at any of the constituent UNC System campuses. Also offered are free group exercise classes multiple times per week, a discounted membership to the campus recreation center, free vaccine and booster shots offered on campus, pretax flexible spending accounts, 12 paid holidays and 24 hours of paid community service leave each year. Leave earning employees (staff and 12-month faculty) who work at least half of the working days of their first month of employment will begin accruing vacation and sick leave immediately. Paid parental leave after 12 months of continuous service. WCU offers an abundance of training and development programs, certifications, workshops and conferences – many of which are offered free of charge. Position Summary The primary location of this position is the main Cullowhee, NC campus. This is a twelve-month, tenure-track position at the rank of Assistant Professor/Research & Instruction Librarian. Hunter Library\’s mission is to support the academic community in carrying out teaching, research activities, and university service programs. Hunter Library\’s primary role is to assist Western Carolina University students in becoming competent and contributing members of the information society. This mission is accomplished by facilitating access to information and by teaching skills which promote discriminating use of information. The Access, Research, and Instruction Services ( ARIS ) Department supports this mission by providing research assistance to the students, faculty, and staff of the university. Department members provide this assistance through both face-to-face and virtual interaction by using various forms of technology. As the subject librarian for the College of Fine and Performing Arts, this librarian will assume primary responsibility for the promotion and delivery of library instruction and services to undergraduate and graduate students and faculty in the fine and performing arts and other disciplines, as assigned. This librarian will also be responsible for collection development and advocacy in these subject areas. This position also manages the Hunter Library\’s Scholar Studio, a large makerspace that includes sewing machines, a Cricut machine, button makers, recording booths, and computers for editing audio and video, among other equipment. It involves overseeing the daily operations of this Studio and the services offered, in addition to supervising one full-time staff member who assists with the space. Other responsibilities include teaching workshops, offering individual assistance with equipment in the makerspace, organizing new equipment and resources, and troubleshooting issues. All ARIS librarians at Hunter Library provide interdisciplinary, high-quality research assistance in person at the reference desk, via chat, and by phone. Librarians also participate in interdisciplinary library instruction in a collegial environment and work on a flexible schedule, including work outside traditional business hours. ARIS librarians also participate-both on campus and at other instructional sites-in an active information literacy program and collaborate with colleagues in library-wide decision-making and initiatives. The successful candidate will assume responsibility for additional duties, projects, assignments, and initiatives as needed or assigned. Hunter Library is a progressive and innovative organization and serves a growing, dynamic university. It has a decades-long reputation for world-class service to faculty and students. Professional scholarship and development are expected and supported. This is a 12-month, tenure-track position reporting to the Head of Access, Research and Instruction Services. The successful candidate will be professionally engaged, inquisitive, creative, and up to the challenge of serving a growing and evolving College with a diverse offering of undergraduate and graduate programs, including online and distance education initiatives. Faculty librarians are fully committed to fulfilling tenure requirements in teaching/librarianship, service, and scholarship. Carnegie statement WCU embraces its role as a regionally engaged university and is designated by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching as a community engaged university. Preference will be given to candidates who can demonstrate a commitment to public engagement through their teaching, service, and scholarship Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities Required for this Position Desire to learn and practice the craft of reference in all subject areas Demonstrated understanding of principles and best practices of information literacy instruction. Knowledge of a wide range of information tools and sources and a creative, persistent approach to finding authoritative information. Critical thinking, problem-solving, effective communication skills. Initiative and ability to work productively, both independently and as a part of a team. Familiarity with current trends in library technology and electronic resources, along with the ability to apply this knowledge to a local situation Time management and organizational skills to balance a varied workload, including scholarship and service. Commitment to public service. Initiative to provide outreach to students, faculty, and other constituencies. Flexibility to adapt and respond to the ever-changing landscape of information services in an academic library. Minimum Qualifications A Master\’s degree from an ALA -accredited program of library or information science, or an international equivalent. At least 2 years of experience providing information literacy instruction. At least 2 years of experience providing research and reference assistance to library users in an interdisciplinary environment. Demonstrated knowledge of the fine and performing arts, and general reference sources for these areas. Preferred Qualifications An undergraduate or graduate degree in the fine or performing arts, or equivalent experience in a relevant discipline (please see the College of Fine and Performing Arts website here for schools and degrees .) Classroom teaching experience Experience with instructional design software such as LibGuides, Camtasia, etc. Experience with audiovisual software, such as the Adobe Creative Suite Experience with, or knowledge of, makerspaces Experience supervising staff and/or student workers Position Type Permanent Full-Time Number of Hours Per Week Number of Months Per Year 12 Posting Text Open Date 05/01/2025 Close Date Open Until Filled Yes Special Instructions to Applicants Application materials must be submitted online. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until a candidate has been selected for hire. Please include a cover letter, current curriculum vitae and a list of three professional references with full contact information. For questions or additional information please contact Meredith Saba at 828-227-3746 or msaba@wcu.edu Background/E-Verify Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. Western Carolina University uses E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify . Proper documentation of identity and employability are required at the time of employment. Credential Verification All new employees are required to have listed credentials/degrees verified within 30 days of employment. All new employees who will be teaching are required to provide official transcripts within 30 days of employment. Transcripts should be provided for the highest earned degree and/or the degree which is being used to satisfy credential/qualification requirements. EOE Western Carolina University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race; color; ethnicity; religion; sex; pregnancy; sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; national origin; age; disability; genetic information; political affiliation; National Guard or veteran status, consistent with applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations, and policies, and the policies of The University of North Carolina. Persons with disabilities requiring accommodations in the application and interview process please call (828) 227-7218 or email at jobs@email.wcu.edu. University Safety The Western Carolina University Annual Safety Report is available online at University Annual Safety Report or in hard-copy by request at the office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, 227 HFR Administration Building, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828-227-7147) or the Office of University Police, 111 Camp Annex, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828-227-7301). The report, required of all universities participating in Title IV student financial aid programs, discusses crime statistics, procedures for reporting suspicious or criminal activity, security, police authority, crime prevention strategies, university policies on substance abuse and sexual offenses, workplace violence and fire safety. Applicant Documents Required Documents Cover Letter/Letter of Application Curriculum Vitae List of references Optional Documents Supplemental Questions Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*). #J-18808-Ljbffr