Position Type: Staff Full-time

Hours per week: 37.5   

Weeks per year: 52

Work Schedule: M-F 8:30am-5:00pm, occasional evening & weekend hours as needed 

Core Job Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Provides instruction ranging from general information literacy sessions and library orientations to advanced subject-specific class sessions to teach how to contextualize, find, and use information
• Designs and deliver research instruction in a variety of formats including online and in-person
• Carries out and participates in the assessment and evaluation of library instruction services

Library research support

• Provides reference services including staffing the Research Help Desk and responding to student and faculty queries arriving by email, chat, phone or in person
• Develops and maintains research guides, tutorials and other learning tools for research education and information literacy
• Connects faculty and students with available library materials
• Provides specialized research support and consultations for faculty and students undertaking research work for scholarly publications, class assignments, term papers, independent studies, or theses
• Draws on assessment and evaluation efforts to initiate changes or additions to services to improve user satisfaction and outcomes

• Consults with faculty on research needs
• Consults with faculty on the design of assignments and pedagogy related to research, information literacy, citation practices, copyright, and other topics
• Plans and leads workshops for faculty on information literacy in the curriculum, research tools, scholarly communication, and innovations in pedagogy related to library research
• Assists faculty in developing library collections to support teaching and research
• Advises faculty on copyright issues related to course materials, presentations, or research publications
• Builds relationships with faculty in liaison areas

• In collaboration with the Librarian for Collection Development:

○ Develops and manages library collections in print and electronic formats for liaison areas

○ Assesses the effectiveness of the library collection in meeting the needs of students and faculty
• Explores and evaluates new resources and tools for possible addition to the library collection
• Collaborates with various colleagues to ensure continued access to and functionality of electronic resources and library systems

• Serves on department, college, and/or consortial committees as assigned
• Participates in library outreach activities (e.g., LITS New Student Orientation activities, book displays, lectures, and events)
• Communicates, promotes, and connects users to LITS resources and services

• Participates in ongoing professional development through attending professional conferences, workshops, and webinars
• Completes courses or reading to keep abreast of and expand knowledge and skills in library science, pedagogy, and academic liaison areas
• Stays abreast of professional trends and best practices in information literacy and in pedagogy at the college level
• Maintains awareness of technology tools used in academic research in liaison areas
• Maintains familiarity with developments in modes and practices of scholarly communications including copyright guidelines for teaching, learning, and research
• Other tasks and responsibilities as assigned 

Qualifications: MLS from an ALA-accredited program, or other advanced degree plus related experience in libraries, archives, or other research or educational institutions

Experience with library research support, information literacy instruction, and collection development

Strong interpersonal and communication skills

Subject expertise in one or more academic disciplines

Ability to successfully work with a diverse range of faculty, staff, and students

Ability to meaningfully contribute to the diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) goals of the college and to its anti-racism plan of action

Strong service orientation

Flexibility and openness to change in a supportive environment

Physical Demands: Sedentary work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force
frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. Sedentary work
involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only
occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met.

Working Conditions: The employee is not substantially exposed to adverse environmental conditions (such as in
typical office or administrative work).  

Background Checks:

Mount Holyoke College is committed to providing a safe and secure environment, supported by qualified
employees that will allow all of its students, faculty, staff and those associated with them to successfully
carry out the mission of the college. As a condition of employment, the College will conduct appropriate
background checks for all new hires. Mount Holyoke has designated the Office of Human Resources as
the office responsible for ensuring that background checks (CORI, SORI, Credit History, & Driver

Credential) are completed and utilized in the hiring process and Five College Office of Compliance and
Risk Management as the office responsible for facilitating background checks as articulated in this policy.

Special Instructions for Applicants: 

Apply online by application deadline. Application materials must include 1) a cover letter summarizing
interests and qualifications, 2) a complete resume or curriculum vitae, and 3) contact information for 3
professional references. 

Mount Holyoke College is a women’s college that is gender diverse. The College is committed to providing equal access and opportunity in employment and education to all employees and students. In compliance with state and federal law, Mount Holyoke College does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, genetic information, sex, national or ethnic origin, religion, age, physical or mental disability, marital status, sexual orientation, pregnancy, gender identity or expression, ancestry, veteran or military status, or any other legally protected status under federal, state or local law. The College does not discriminate on the basis of gender in the recruitment and admission of students to its graduate program.

Mount Holyoke College is an Equal Opportunity Employer.