Data Services Librarian

GRINNELL COLLEGE LIBRARIES – DATA SERVICES LIBRARIAN - REGULAR POSITION (START FALL 2008), Assistant Professor (Associate Professor possible)

The Data Services Librarian supports students and faculty in identifying, evaluating, managing, and using numeric and spatial data; organize access to datasets through web pages, cataloging, and other tools; serve as a Consulting Librarian for reference, information literacy instruction, and collection development for assigned departments in Social Studies and Sciences; oversee the Libraries’ government documents collections; participate in general reference and instructional services, including evening and weekend reference desk coverage; and share overall planning and leadership responsibility for the Libraries with six other librarians and the Librarian of the College. Grinnell College librarians hold faculty status and rank, with renewable multi-year contracts; they are evaluated on job performance (including teaching), scholarship, and service.

Required Qualifications: ALA-accredited master’s degree in library and information science; demonstrated active interest in a quantitative social science discipline and willingness to become familiar with the concepts, pedagogy, research, and scholarly communication trends relevant to assigned disciplines; demonstrated knowledge of numeric and spatial data resources, bibliographic and other information resources pertinent to the social sciences; evidence of commitment to innovative and effective user-centered services; excellent oral written and presentation skills; demonstrated initiative and ability to work effectively in a highly collaborative, rapidly changing environment; evidence of potential to meet requirements for service, research, and creative achievement for promotion and continuing appointment.

Preferred Qualifications: Academic background in a social science discipline; experience with GIS or statistical analysis software; evidence of familiarity with one or more metadata standards appropriate for datasets; pre- or post-MLS experience providing user services in an academic library.

The Grinnell College Libraries hold 532,000 volumes (excluding documents) in 4 facilities and maintain active subscriptions to 20,400 print and electronic journals. The Libraries have been a selective depository for U.S. documents since 1874. Grinnell College is a member of NITLE, ICPSR, the Center for Research Libraries, and the Oberlin Group of Libraries.

Grinnell College is a highly selective undergraduate liberal arts college. The College’s curriculum is founded on a strong advising system and close student-faculty interaction, with few college-wide requirements beyond the completion of a major. In letters of application, candidates should discuss their interest in developing as a teacher and scholar in an undergraduate, liberal-arts environment that emphasizes close student-faculty interaction. Candidates should also address how they can contribute to efforts to cultivate a wide diversity of people and perspectives, a core value of Grinnell College.

To be assured of full consideration, all application materials should be received by December 15. Send letter of application, current c.v., and the names, addresses, e-mail, and telephone numbers of three references, to: Richard Fyffe, Rosenthal Librarian of the College, Burling Library, 1111 Sixth Avenue, Grinnell, IA 50112-1690; LibrarySearch@grinnell.edu; fax: 641.269.4283.

Salary range $50,000 or higher, depending on qualifications and experience.
Grinnell College is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer committed to attracting and retaining highly qualified individuals who collectively reflect the diversity of the nation. No applicant shall be discriminated against on the basis of race, national or ethnic origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, creed, or disability. For further information about Grinnell College, see our Web site at http://www.grinnell.edu.