Research and Instruction Librarian for the Social Sciences

Washington and Lee University Library welcomes applications from collaborative, user-focused, and inclusive early career librarians to join the Research Services team as Research and Instruction Librarian for the Social Sciences.

Reporting to the Head of Research Services, the Research and Instruction Librarian for the Social Sciences will: serve as the primary liaison to disciplines in or related to the social sciences; contribute to general reference and instruction, collection management, and outreach activities in collaboration with the Research Services team; and participate in service and scholarship activities as a member of the University Library and College faculties.

The Research and Instruction Librarian for the Social Sciences will be a 12-month, non-tenure track faculty member at the Assistant Professor rank. The appointment begins on or after January 1, 2027.

• Serves as the library's primary liaison to academic departments in or related to the social sciences for the purposes of supporting disciplinary teaching and research and facilitating communication between the library and departments. This may include information literacy instruction, subject-based reference and consultative services, and departmental and individual outreach.
• As a member of the Research Services team, provides general outreach and expert research advice to students, faculty, staff, administrators, and community visitors.
• Collaborates with colleagues across the library to recommend selection and deselection of research and teaching resources for the library's collection.
• Serves as a faculty member of the College.
  • Participates in teaching activities of the library, which may include advising students and/or teaching credit bearing courses, among other opportunities.
  • Engages in pertinent ongoing service, research, scholarship, and/or creative activity as defined by the library's Departmental Faculty Development Document.
  • Participates in professional development activities as appropriate to meet personal and departmental goals and objectives.
• Performs other duties as assigned by the University Librarian or Head of Research Services.

• ALA-accredited MLS or equivalent relevant terminal degree. Holding a terminal degree in a relevant field is a requirement of faculty status.
• Any combination of experience and coursework in the fundamentals of subject-based research support, such as information literacy, reference, instruction, and collection management. This may include pre-degree experience.
• Demonstrated interest in one or more of the following social science fields taught at Washington and Lee: sociology, anthropology, journalism, mass communication, education, or women and gender studies.

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