Penn State University Libraries - Engineering Liaison Librarian, University Park

The Pennsylvania State University Libraries seek two creative, enthusiastic, and engaged liaison librarians as tenure-track faculty members to provide innovative library services to the students and faculty in the College of Engineering.

Successful candidates will benefit from the mentoring program developed by the University Libraries to support faculty in tenure-track appointments in fulfilling expectations in the areas of librarianship, research, and service.  Entry-level or early-career librarians are encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities:  The Engineering Liaison Librarians will work collaboratively with their colleagues in the Engineering Library and the other libraries and departments throughout the University Libraries system to provide novel services to the students and faculty in their research intensive disciplines.

• Reference and research: Provide reference assistance and research consulting for subject-specific research at all levels in person and in locations across the University Park campus including the Schreyer Honors College, the Knowledge Commons in Pattee Library, to faculty and students at our campus locations, and via e-communications.
• Teaching, learning and literacies: Design, deliver, and assess library-instruction programs that support the curriculum of the College of Engineering including first-year seminars and technical writing and communication arts for engineering students. Develop instructional programs and learning materials in a variety of formats, using instructional-design principles. 
• Liaison activities with assigned academic units: Participate in the intellectual life and operations of the College of Engineering. Engage with faculty and students as a colleague in both disciplinary activities and in library services.
• Collections content and access: Develop and manage collections to support research and curricular needs of engineering students, faculty, and researchers.  Collaborate with librarians in related subject areas and libraries.
• Scholarly communications: Educate and inform faculty and graduate students on scholarly communication issues such as open-access initiatives, digital publishing, copyright, and digital curation.  Promote and provide assistance in the use of Scholarsphere, Penn State's repository service.
• Research and Service: Engage in research, scholarly publication, and professional service activities in areas appropriate to academic librarianship and the disciplines served.
• Diversity:  Support diversity initiatives which create a welcoming and inclusive climate at the University Libraries.

Required Qualifications: Requires a Master of Library Science degree from an ALA-accredited institution (or equivalent); academic background in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) discipline; ability to work independently and collaboratively; potential to achieve the requirements for tenure and promotion in the areas of librarianship, research, and service; excellent oral and written communication and interpersonal skills.  Please visit http://www.libraries.psu.edu/psul/policies/ulhrg07.html to learn more about the University Libraries Promotion and Tenure Guidelines.

Preferred Qualifications: Advanced degree in a STEM discipline; experience working in an academic library.

Environment: Penn State, a land-grant institution, is a member of the Committee on Institutional Cooperation (CIC), a consortium of the Big Ten universities plus the University of Chicago. Based on current Association for Research Libraries investment rankings, The Pennsylvania State University Libraries are ranked among the top ten research libraries in North America.  A student survey completed in 2010 found overall student satisfaction with the University Libraries to be at the top of its category.  The University Libraries hold membership in ARL, CRL, CLIR, and DLF. Collections exceed 5.8 million volumes and include more than 102,000 current serial subscriptions. The University Libraries are located at University Park and 22 other locations throughout Pennsylvania, and they serve approximately 6,000 faculty and 44,000 students at University Park, and more than 92,000 students system-wide. 

The College of Engineering at Penn State is home to more than 9000 undergraduates and 1300 graduate students in thirteen department and more than 30 research institutes. The overall U.S. News and World Report rankings are 16th (undergraduate) and 25th (graduate.) For more information, please visit http://www.engr.psu.edu/.

The University Park campus is set in the State College metropolitan area, a university town located in central Pennsylvania. State College offers a vibrant community with outstanding recreational facilities, a low crime rate, and excellent public schools. The campus is within a half-day drive to Washington D.C., Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York City, or Pittsburgh. The University Park Airport is served by three major carriers with flights to Washington, Philadelphia, and Detroit. For more information, please visit http://www.libraries.psu.edu and http://www.cbicc.org.

Compensation: Salary and rank commensurate with experience. Excellent fringe benefits include liberal vacation, excellent insurance, state or TIAA/CREF retirement options, and educational privileges.

To Apply: Send a letter of application or nomination, resumé, and the names and contact information of three professional references to Search Committee, The Pennsylvania State University, Box ELL-PSUL, 511 Paterno Library, University Park, PA 16802. Applications and nominations may also be sent to lap225@psu.edu.  Please be sure to reference Box ELL-PSUL in the email subject line.  Review of candidates will begin on January 7, 2013 and continue until the position is filled.  Employment will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.

Penn State is committed to affirmative action, equal opportunity and diversity of its workforce.