Residency Program Reference & Instruction Librarian

Program Purpose: The purpose of the University of Iowa Libraries' Residency Program is to interest entry-level librarians who are members of historically underrepresented groups in professional learning and service at the University of Iowa Libraries and, ultimately, in a career in academic librarianship. The program began more than fifteen years ago and is a keystone of the Libraries’ long-standing commitment to diversity. It is designed around an assignment in a professional position that is challenging, offers a solid foundation for a career in research librarianship, and provides significant opportunities for professional development and mentoring.

Please visit our Recruiting Librarians website for information about working at the UI Libraries and living in the diverse community of Iowa City.

Position Description: The Libraries seeks an entry-level, two-year Residency Program Librarian to serve in its Reference and Library Instruction Department. Each participant in the program has an appointment providing reference and instructional services in the Libraries. In addition, participants learn about other departments in the Libraries, have an assignment in collection development, serve on committees in the library system, and initiate a program of professional development and contribution. Of great importance is that each resident also chooses one or more tracks providing a significant experience in an area of individual interest such as archives' processing, digital initiatives, cataloging, or scholarly communication. Placement assistance is provided and program participants are eligible and encouraged to apply for regular professional positions that may arise in the Libraries. This position reports to the Head, Reference and Library Instruction, and requires some evening and weekend commitment.

Mentoring: The department head, along with the Director, Human Resources and Diversity Programs, serve as mentors for residents. Opportunities for peer and informal mentoring are available, as well, and regular meetings are arranged with the University Librarian and appropriate Associate University Librarians.

Professional Development: Professional development is a strong component of the Residency Program. Participants are encouraged to give presentations, attend national and regional conferences, and/or write for professional publications. The Libraries provides significant financial support for attendance at conferences and professional meetings. In addition, if accepted by the institutes, residents receive support to participate in the Minnesota Institute for Early Career Librarians from Traditionally Underrepresented Groups and ACRL's Institute for Information Literacy Immersion Program (or similar program of individual professional interest).

Required Qualifications: A graduate degree from an ALA-accredited program in Library and Information Science; general knowledge of traditional and electronic information resources; general knowledge of information literacy and instruction principles; demonstrated commitment to diversity in the workplace or community; ability to work in a team environment; excellent written and oral communication skills; and a demonstrated interest in professional development and contribution.

Additional Expectations of the Position

• Civil and Respectful Interactions: Demonstrates respect for all members of the University community in the course of performing one’s duties and in response to administrators, supervisors, coworkers, and customers; constructively brings forward workplace concerns to coworkers and/or supervisor.
• Diversity and Inclusion: Welcomes the richness of talent from a diverse workforce and recognizes that diversity brings stimulation, challenge, and energy that contribute to a productive and effective workplace.
• Leadership Accountability: Represents the interests of the University and of unit leadership in the use of resources to meet service and productivity demands within unit goals and budgets; strives to promote continual process and quality improvement.
• Learning and Professional Development: Seeks opportunities to enhance one’s own professional knowledge, skills, and abilities as they relate to one’s current position and/or to prepare for potential future roles and overall career development.

Salary and Appointment: The two-year appointment will be made at the Librarian I level with an annual salary of $41,000. The University of Iowa offers an attractive package of benefits including 24 days of paid vacation per year, TIAA/CREF retirement, and a flexible selection of medical, life, and dental insurance, childcare credit, and additional options. Residents are also provided with a generous allowance for moving expenses.

The University of Iowa Libraries: The University of Iowa library system consists of the Main Library, the Hardin Library for the Health Sciences and 9 branch libraries (Art, Music, Business, and the sciences). With more than 4 million volumes, the Libraries ranks 31 out of 114 among the Association of Research Libraries for size of collections. InfoHawk, the Libraries’ integrated online system, uses ExLibris’ Aleph 500 software. The Libraries has been innovative in the development of services related to digital technologies with the creation of such units as the Information Arcade and Information Commons. The University Libraries is an active member of the Online Computer Library Center (OCLC), the Committee on Institutional Cooperation (CIC), the Center for Research Libraries (CRL), the Association of Research Libraries (ARL), the Coalition for Networked Information (CNI), and the ARL SPARC Project. The Libraries provides a program of support for professional development activities and its staff members are actively engaged in national cooperative efforts.

The University and Iowa City: A major research and teaching institution, the University of Iowa offers internationally recognized programs in a diverse array of academic, medical, and artistic disciplines, from otolaryngology to fiction writing, printmaking to space science, hydraulic engineering to dance. The University consists of a faculty of 2,000 and a permanent staff of 15,000 serving 30,000 students, close to 10,000 of whom are registered in graduate and professional degree programs. Approximately 8% of the University’s workforce is minority faculty and staff, 9% of the student body are members of minority groups, and 7% are international students.

Iowa City is a community of some 63,000 people (more than 100,000 live in the surrounding area) with excellent educational, recreational, and cultural advantages. It is consistently cited in the national media as a city with an excellent quality of life. The community is growing in its diversity; within the Iowa City Community School District, 13.4% of the students are African American, 7.2% are Asian American, 6.6% are Latino, and .5% are Native American. The Latino population is increasing at a rate of .5%/year. The city is readily accessible via interstate highways and a major airport only 30 minutes away.

Application Procedure: To apply for this position, please visit the University of Iowa Jobs@UIOWA website at http://jobs.uiowa.edu. To help facilitate your application process, note the requisition number -- 54928. Applications must be received by March 3, 2008. Please, in your cover letter, include a substantial paragraph describing what in your background has helped you develop the skills that enable you to serve clientele of diverse backgrounds.

THE UNIVERSITY OF IOWA IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER. WOMEN AND MINORITIES ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY.

For more information about the University of Iowa Libraries and community, please see http://www.lib.uiowa.edu/ and http://www.lib.uiowa.edu/about/employment/recruiting.html