Arts and Humanities Librarian

About Oxy

Occidental is a highly selective and diverse liberal arts college located in the global metropolis of Los Angeles. Founded in 1887, it is one of the oldest liberal arts colleges on the West Coast. Occidental’s interdisciplinary focus encourages a hands-on approach to learning and includes one of the country’s best undergraduate research programs. Oxy’s 1,850 students from 45 states and 24 countries have compiled an impressive record of winning national awards. Our central location within the city ensures easy access to top research institutions, including Caltech, the Getty Research Institute, the Huntington Library, UCLA, and USC.

The Library advances the mission of the college by supporting teaching, learning, research, and other forms of intellectual engagement. We do this through extensive electronic, digital, and analog resources; welcoming physical and virtual facilities; innovative and inspiring programs and events; and excellent customer service. We empower students, faculty, and staff with critical information literacies, vital technology skills, and a positive user experience to further their academic success and sustain successful lifelong learning in an ever-changing world.

The Library is seeking an energetic and innovative Arts and Humanities Librarian to join our Teaching, Learning, and Research Support (TLRS) team as we develop, deliver, and support scholarly information resources and digital technologies.

POSITION SUMMARY

Incumbent will develop, deliver, and support scholarly information resources and digital technologies for the Arts and Humanities. Reporting to the Director of TLRS, the Arts and Humanities Librarian will focus on Information Literacy Instruction (ILI) objectives and provide support for students and faculty across the arts and humanities departments through workshops, consultations, online guides and tutorials. The incumbent will participate in innovative projects relating to Open Access, Open Educational Resources, and print initiatives. The Arts and Humanities Librarian will conduct Information Literacy Instruction (ILI) in multiple modalities; offer reference and research consultation; participate in scholarly communication and digital initiatives; engage in outreach to faculty, students, staff, and community partners; select of scholarly information resources; provide disciplinary, pedagogical, and academic technology support services; and engage in programmatic activities, such as exhibitions, presentations, and publications.

SUMMARY OF DUTIES, RESPONSIBILITIES AND GOALS

• Conducts inclusive ILI, supporting open and equitable access to scholarly information resources, and developing diverse collections in the Arts and Humanities.
• Serves as the Library’s liaison to Arts and Humanities departments at the college, developing and integrating information literacies across the curriculum, acts as the primary selector of scholarly information resources for Arts and Humanities disciplines.
• Develops and conducts advanced ILI workshops and advises students on research resources, methods, and scholarly practices across the Arts and Humanities.
• Provides in-person and virtual reference and consultation services to faculty, students, staff, and other researchers.
• Provides research and insight on new and emerging arts and humanities resources, identifies and advocates for learning spaces, software, hardware, and other resource needs specific to the Arts and Humanities.
• Reviews activity and prepares reports, as required.
• Creates, organizes, and implements analog and digital exhibitions and programs, featuring Arts and Humanities resources and topics.
• Oversees and participates in a range of special projects, such as collaboration with Oxy Arts and support for Mellon Arts and Technology award course.

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum

• MLIS from an ALA accredited program or its equivalent in work experience, education, and training.
• Two years of professional public services experience in an academic or research library.

Preferred

• Strong information literacy instruction skills.
• Knowledge of arts and humanities teaching and research practices and methods.
• Experience with visual resource management and digital publishing platforms.
• Excellent listening, spoken, and written communication skills.
• Project management experience.
• Determination to strengthen the academic community by providing equitable access to a rich portfolio of scholarly information resources designed to advance teaching, learning, and research.
• Ability to work well and inclusively with a diverse community of students, faculty, and staff.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively and creatively as a team member or independently.
• Self-motivated teacher, learner, and colleague.
• Willing and able to engage in regional and national professional associations (e.g., CARL, CAA, ARLIS NA) through presentations, committee service, or office holding.
• Second subject master’s degree in the Arts or Humanities.
• Experience with the Ex Libris Alma/Primo library services platform.
• Engagement with digital humanities scholarship.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

Please submit a resume and cover letter explaining how your qualifications meet the requirements of the position to resumes@oxy.edu. 

Additional Information:

Occidental is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not unlawfully discriminate against employees or applicants on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, breastfeeding or related medical condition, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, marital status, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic characteristic or information, military and veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law. Occidental is strongly committed to increasing the diversity of the campus community and the curriculum, and to fostering an inclusive, equitable, and just environment within which students, staff, administrators, and faculty thrive. Candidates who can contribute to this goal through their work are encouraged to identify their strengths and experiences in this area. Individuals advancing the College’s strategic equity and justice goals and those from groups that are underrepresented in the field are particularly encouraged to apply.

Salary is commensurate with experience and qualifications. A comprehensive benefits package is available that includes: excellent health, dental, life, and retirement benefits; tuition benefits for the employee, spouse, domestic partner, and dependents; additional extras including use of gym facilities and the College Library. For a detailed description of benefits, please visit https: //www.oxy.edu/offices-services/humanresources/benefits-information.

All qualified applicants will be considered for employment, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance.

Occidental College is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with qualifying disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the application or employment process, please contact Human Resources (hr@oxy.edu).

As a condition of hire for a staff position and for appointment to a faculty position, Occidental College requires that all candidates who have received a conditional offer of employment complete an application form (if they have not already done so) and consent to a background check. Satisfactory completion of a background check, along with pre-employment verifications and references are required as a condition of employment, but only as permitted by federal, state, and local law, including the City of Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance.