Head of Research and Instruction Services

Title: Head of Research and Instruction Services

State Role Title: Professional - Lecturer

Hiring Range: UG

Pay Band: UG

Agency: Virginia Military Institute

Location: Virginia Military Institute

Agency Website: www.vmi.edu

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

Virginia Military Institute (VMI) seeks a passionate, creative, and user-focused professional to join Preston Library as Head of Research and Instruction Services. The successful candidate will: oversee all aspects of research and instruction services including policies and procedures; advocate for innovative information literacy instruction and user education services; and assess programs to help the library understand and respond to cadet and faculty research and information needs. The Head of Research and Instruction Services will collaborate with a team of librarians to develop and deliver high quality research services, instruction, and programming to VMI cadets, faculty, and staff. The librarian will work closely with faculty, instructors, and administrators to cultivate and promote Preston Library’s commitment to support teaching, learning, and research.
This position is a full-time, non-tenure-track, Administrative/Professional Faculty Librarian position that reports to the Library Director.

Responsibilities:
• Lead the strategic planning, development and operational oversight of instruction and research services.
• Work collaboratively, within and outside of the library, to develop responsive, user-focused information literacy instruction and research services and programs to support cadet, faculty, and staff excellence in academic research.
• Develop innovative and engaging library instruction and information literacy programs that incorporate student learning outcomes, active learning strategies, and assessment.
• Maintain online research tools and create research aides that facilitate library usage, including the library website and research guides.
• Provide guidance, direction, planning, support, advocacy, and assessment of instructional services and initiatives at the Library.
• Develop and sustain library instructional models, such as the ACRL Information Literacy Framework, through faculty partnerships.
• Coordinate outreach to campus partners to lead and/or support campus-wide instructional initiatives; create and maintain a visible presence on campus, representing the library in research and instruction initiatives.
• Lead the entire range of in-person and online research support services (some evening and weekend hours required), providing high quality and timely services.
• Support librarians as they engage in instruction, research services, and liaison activities.
• Maintain knowledge of current trends in reference/research services, library instruction, information literacy and scholarly communication, and incorporate these trends into the work of the library.
• Assist with data gathering for annual reports as needed, including IPEDS, SACSCOC, Library Director’s Annual Report.
• Participate in collection development.
• Participate in night and weekend duty as required.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Master’s degree from an American Library Association-accredited graduate program or related graduate degree.
• A minimum of 3 years of academic library experience related to public services including research, reference, teaching, or outreach.
• Demonstrated commitment to user-centered services for students, faculty, and staff.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and build relationships with colleagues and peers.
• Excellent interpersonal written and verbal communication skills, including presentation skills.

Additional Considerations

• Experience with information literacy instruction assessment.
• Evidence of effective delivery of instruction, services, and programming to faculty and students.
• Experience with Springshare platform and its services.

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

In addition to the online application please include a letter of interest, curriculum vitae, and contact information for three professional references.

Review of online applications will be ongoing until the position is filled.

Initial interviews will be conducted via Zoom or Microsoft Teams.

Contact Information

Name: Tamara Wade

Phone: 540-464-7322

Email: hroffice@vmi.edu

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.