Librarian

Frederick, Maryland•Frederick, MD

About The Position

Under the general direction of the Head of Research and Instruction, the Research and Instruction Librarian collaborates with colleagues and other library staff to provide research skills instruction and services to all College constituencies. The librarian in this position will gauge the needs of a diverse student population, provide effective research assistance and instruction in a variety of modalities, and assess the library's impact on student success; will sustain and expand partnerships across the campus community; will participate in strategic planning, collection development, and outreach activities. This position will be filled for FY2027 with a hire date of July 1, 2026 or later. Essential Duties include the following. Other duties may be assigned. Reference Services and Research Skills Instruction (50%) Provides innovative, user-centered research assistance and instruction services to students and faculty in the library, via telephone, and online. Works collaboratively with faculty and the Research & Instruction team to design and deliver engaging research and information literacy instruction, both in person and online; introduces/orients students, faculty, and staff to various library resources; works to integrate information literacy and research skills into the curriculum. Creates, shares, and assesses LibGuides, instruction videos, interactive research modules, and other digital learning materials to support student learning. Develops and presents workshops, tutorials, and orientations to a variety of campus constituencies Represents the library at external workshops and conferences. Collaborates with library staff to address organizational training and transformation related to cultural competence and diversity, equity, and inclusion objectives. Works with colleagues to train, supervise, and assess student workers. Programming, Outreach, and Collection Development (30%) Works with outreach team to design, market, implement, and assess inclusive, culturally sustaining educational programming and outreach initiatives that reach students, faculty, and staff. Communicates with library staff and disciplinary faculty to evaluate and select print and electronic resources for acquisition. Performs ongoing evaluation of database subscriptions and individual electronic journals to identify and implement changes in content, navigation, and access. Fosters effective collaborative relationships with faculty and staff to increase awareness of library resources, promote critical engagement with information, and encourage open scholarly communication. Participates in college and library committees. Contributes to the maintenance of the library website, social media, and campus newsletters. Planning and Policy Development (20%) Participates with other members of the Research and Instruction team in consensus decision-making; collaborates with the team in the planning and design of library user surveys. Participates with other members of the team to create annual goals, strategies, and assessments for the department. Stays up to date on emerging trends in information literacy, teaching and learning, and educational technology to provide creative, relevant, interactive services for our community. Hours are typically Monday – Friday 9AM to 5PM with some evening work until 8PM required. Qualifications We seek a candidate who values diversity, equity and inclusion in all that they do. Candidates must have strong organizational skills and a proven ability to work collaboratively with partners across campus in support of Hood College’s mission as a student-centered, liberal arts institution. To perform this job successfully, the individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

Requirements

Master’s degree in library and information science (MLS/MLIS) or equivalent from an ALA-accredited program (or equivalent degree if earned outside the U.S./Canada). Candidates who are near completion of the degree may be considered.
1-2 years of work experience in a library setting related to research help or instruction. This may include graduate assistantships, internships, or part-time academic library work.
Strong Communication skills, including the ability to present clearly to diverse audiences.
Collaborative teamwork skills and a customer-centered orientation.
Competency with research databases, library services platforms, and instructional technologies such as learning management systems, LibGuides, or discovery platforms.

Nice To Haves

Proficient in MS Office tools (Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint), e-mail and Internet.
Ability to learn new applications quickly including organization-wide information systems and department-specific software applications.
Strong oral and written communication skills.
Ability to effectively provide information and positively respond to questions from both external and internal customers both in person and by phone.
Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.
Proficient with statistical and financial concepts.
Must have the ability to apply those concepts to tracking, projections, goal setting, and interpreting reports.
Must be able to draw conclusions from reports and make cost effective decisions regarding programs.
Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a number of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
Ability to work independently and as a member of a group in developing and executing project plans.
Ability to work in the theoretical arena and apply logic as appropriate.

Responsibilities

Provides innovative, user-centered research assistance and instruction services to students and faculty in the library, via telephone, and online.
Works collaboratively with faculty and the Research & Instruction team to design and deliver engaging research and information literacy instruction, both in person and online; introduces/orients students, faculty, and staff to various library resources; works to integrate information literacy and research skills into the curriculum.
Creates, shares, and assesses LibGuides, instruction videos, interactive research modules, and other digital learning materials to support student learning.
Develops and presents workshops, tutorials, and orientations to a variety of campus constituencies
Represents the library at external workshops and conferences.
Collaborates with library staff to address organizational training and transformation related to cultural competence and diversity, equity, and inclusion objectives.
Works with colleagues to train, supervise, and assess student workers.
Works with outreach team to design, market, implement, and assess inclusive, culturally sustaining educational programming and outreach initiatives that reach students, faculty, and staff.
Communicates with library staff and disciplinary faculty to evaluate and select print and electronic resources for acquisition.
Performs ongoing evaluation of database subscriptions and individual electronic journals to identify and implement changes in content, navigation, and access.
Fosters effective collaborative relationships with faculty and staff to increase awareness of library resources, promote critical engagement with information, and encourage open scholarly communication.
Participates in college and library committees.
Contributes to the maintenance of the library website, social media, and campus newsletters.
Participates with other members of the Research and Instruction team in consensus decision-making; collaborates with the team in the planning and design of library user surveys.
Participates with other members of the team to create annual goals, strategies, and assessments for the department.
Stays up to date on emerging trends in information literacy, teaching and learning, and educational technology to provide creative, relevant, interactive services for our community.