University of Florida-Student Success Librarian

POSITION VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

POSITION:           Student Success Librarian                                                                              

RANK:                 Assistant University Librarian or Associate University Librarian

REPORTS TO:     Chair, Marston Science Library

SALARY:              $57,604 minimum salary at the Assistant University Librarian rank

$66,626 minimum salary at the Associate University Librarian rank

                           The Smathers Libraries offer a salary commensurate with experience and credentials

Requisition #:    522973

DEADLINE DATE:  August 24, 2022 – applications will be reviewed as received

JOB SUMMARY

The George A. Smathers Libraries at the University of Florida invites applications for the position of Student Success Librarian. This position is a year-round (12 month) tenure track faculty position in the Marston Science Library (Marston) with primary responsibilities to coordinate student success efforts across the Smathers Libraries and create relationships with related campus programs and initiatives.

The Smathers Libraries are committed to creating a thoughtful, equitable, and inclusive culture that provides space for innovation and creativity. We support that commitment by offering a fulfilling work experience that allows for collaboration, growth, and development as well as shared perspectives.

We are seeking a service-oriented candidate who brings culturally rich lived experiences and is committed to empowering undergraduate students of diverse experiences, races, ethnicities, genders, sexualities, abilities, and socioeconomic backgrounds. We are looking for an innovative instructor who will develop engaging information literacy learning experiences; a creative collaborator who will coordinate and participate in campus-wide outreach efforts; and a student-centered advocate for inclusion. Candidates of color are especially encouraged to apply.

The library encourages broad participation in reaching decisions.  The Student Success Librarian will contribute to discussions, provide input, and serve on committees and teams, such as the Information Literacy Committee or the Assessment Advisory Committee. They will also pursue professional development opportunities to meet Marston’s criteria for tenure and promotion, including research, publication, and professional service activities.

RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Liaises to existing student supports and programs, such as the First Generation Organization (FGO), McNair Scholars Program, UF Promise program, as well as student organizations, such as the Hispanic Student Association and the National Society of Black Engineers.
  • Cultivates and sustains collaborative relationships with campus units and programs that support academic preparedness, student learning, retention, and student success, such as the Center for Inclusion and Multicultural Engagement and the Counseling and Wellness Center.
  • Actively engages in diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, supports diverse communities, and creates a welcoming environment for all.
  • Coordinates the Libraries’ participation in campus-wide student orientation activities and hosts special events, workshops, and pop-ups for diverse populations.
  • Explores innovative outreach and marketing strategies to connect directly with students.
  • Teaches information literacy to advance student success with a focus on underrepresented students.
  • Pursues professional development opportunities to meet criteria for tenure and promotion, including research, publication, and professional service activities.

QUALIFICATIONS

Research indicates that applicants from underrepresented groups are hesitant to apply for positions if they do not meet the preferred qualifications.[1] We want to emphasize that the preferred qualifications are not required and that we are committed to helping our future colleague develop the preferred skills. Additionally, applicants are encouraged to communicate how their work and other experiences satisfy the required qualifications in ways that may not be obvious.

Required:

  • Master’s degree in Library or Information Science from an ALA-accredited (or foreign equivalent) program, or other relevant advanced degree in subject specialty.
  • Appointment at the Associate University Librarian rank requires eight years of relevant experience.
  • Record of centering, collaborating with, and advocating for marginalized communities.
  • Demonstrated understanding of issues faced by first-generation and underrepresented student populations.
  • Ability to work both independently and collaboratively with faculty, students, administrators, and the general public.
  • Evidence of excellent interpersonal skills, including oral and written communication.
  • Initiative, flexibility, and the ability to adapt and work creatively in a complex, rapidly changing academic environment.
  • Strong potential to meet the requirements for tenure and promotion as outlined in the Marston Science Library departmental by-laws.

Preferred:

  • Experience leading in-person and online instruction, teaching, or training.
  • Experience analyzing and assessing user experience and/or the effectiveness of library services.
  • Experience developing outreach activities and events.
  • Experience in effective program growth, including goal setting and outcomes evaluation.
  • Experience with information literacy and library and information science (LIS) research
  • Multilingual competencies and interest in connecting with multilingual students

MARSTON SCIENCE LIBRARY

The Student Success Librarian position serves the entire George A. Smathers Libraries but is supported by the Marston Science Library (Marston) faculty. The Marston Science Library, named for Robert Q. Marston, the seventh president of the University of Florida, houses collections in agriculture, life sciences, engineering, physical sciences, mathematics, and earth sciences. Marston experiences more than 2.1 million visitors per year and supports the teaching and research needs of 42 colleges and departments across campus. Although the collections and reference services at Marston are focused on STEM disciplines, Marston is the most visited library on campus and is a hub of undergraduate student life across all majors. Marston has 12 library faculty and 11 staff that support a highly collaborative environment that offers an array of services, including 3-D printing and scanning and a room that supports visualization of large research data and collaborative projects. Marston spearheads initiatives related to technology accessibility and actively works to develop partnerships with student organizations.

UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA LIBRARIES

The libraries at the University of Florida form the largest academic information resource system in the state of Florida with seven libraries and two off-campus facilities. The George A. Smathers Libraries are comprised of six of the campus libraries, and the off-site facilities. In addition to this system, the Lawton Chiles Legal Information Center is part of the Levin College of Law. The Libraries hold over 6.27 million print volumes, 1.5 million e-books, 145,000 full-text electronic journals, over 1000 electronic databases, 1.3 million documents, over 15 million digitized pages from the Libraries’ collections and 1.4 million maps and images. Distinctive holdings include the Isser and Rae Price Library of Judaica, Latin American and Caribbean Collection, Baldwin Library of Historical Children’s Literature and the P.K. Yonge Library of Florida History. The Libraries maintain partnerships and engages in a variety of collaborative, international projects while engaging with the UF community. We are a member of the Association of Research Libraries (ARL) and other regional library consortia.

The library staff consists of more than 300 FTE librarians, technical/clerical staff and student assistants. The George A. Smathers Libraries are strong advocates for inclusion and intellectual freedom. The Libraries’ commitment to both is articulated in the Inclusion and Intellectual Freedom Statements. The Smathers Libraries will foster and maintain a culture that supports DEI, as values are foundational and permeates all aspects of our organization per Strategic Direction 4: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Support for professional development is central to the Smathers Libraries.  Supports include a formal mentoring program, a robust training program, release time for research and professional service, a comprehensive grants program, and funding for professional development travel.

The Smathers Libraries acknowledge that the main (Gainesville) campus of the University of Florida is located in the ancestral territory of the Potano and Seminole peoples. The Smathers Libraries acknowledge its obligation to honor the past, present, and future Native residents and cultures of Florida.

The University of Florida

The University of Florida (UF) is the state of Florida’s preeminent university. The state’s oldest and most comprehensive university, UF is among the nation’s most academically diverse public universities and won the 2018 Senator Paul Simon Award for Comprehensive Internationalization. UF is currently fifth among “Top Public Universities” in the U.S. News and World Report and second among Forbes “Best Value Public Colleges (2016). UF has a long history of established programs in international education, research, and service. It is one of only 17 public, land-grant universities that belong to the Association of American Universities. At UF we have some of the top faculty in the country. In addition to attracting over $900 million in research each year, they foster the uniquely collaborative environment that transforms potential into actual results. UF traces its beginnings to a small seminary in 1853 and is now one of the largest universities in the nation, with more than 50,000 students. A snapshot of the student body diversity statistics is available online from UF Institutional Planning and Research. The University of Florida seeks to address key challenges of our time, from COVID-19 to racism. In 2020 President Fuchs announced a UF-Anti-Racism Initiative. You can read about various efforts across campus on the University’s dedicated anti-racism website. Information about campus-wide student success initiatives that this position may coordinate with in the future can be found on the UF Student Success website.

Benefits

University benefits for this position include retirement plan options, insurance benefits, paid family leave (parental and medical), tuition fee waiver program, and employee assistance program, as well as paid time off and holidays. Gainesville, Florida, has no state or local income tax. The University of Florida provides ongoing guidelines and resources related to COVID-19.

AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

The University of Florida is committed to non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations, genetic information, and veteran status in all aspects of employment including recruitment, hiring, promotions, transfers, discipline, terminations, wage and salary administration, benefits, and training. We are dedicated to the goal of building a broadly diverse and inclusive faculty and staff within a culturally diverse and pluralistic environment; we invite all qualified applicants including women, members of underrepresented groups, individuals with disabilities, and veterans. The University of Florida is a public institution and subject to all requirement under the Florida Sunshine and Public Records laws.

If an accommodation due to a hearing or speech disability is needed to apply for this position, please call 352-392-2477 University of Florida Human Resources or the Florida Relay System at 800-955-8771 (TDD).

GAINESVILLE COMMUNITY

Gainesville and the surrounding community are home to approximately 257,000 people and both the University of Florida and Santa Fe College. The city is surrounded by more than 40 nature parks, including many spring-fed lakes and rivers, with many paved and unpaved trails for recreation. The city is just over an hour from the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean. Gainesville is an award winning and innovative city, friendly to both professionals and families. The Guide to Greater Gainesville combines award winning photography and compelling articles that capture all the reasons for calling Gainesville your next home. The City of Gainesville is a progressive municipality that seeks to promote racial equity. The area has numerous cultural institutions and is a haven for sports fans. Jacksonville, Orlando, Tampa, Tallahassee, and St. Augustine are all within a two-hour drive.

Application Process

To apply, submit

  • a cover letter detailing your interest in, and qualifications for this position
  • your current resume or CV
  • a list of three references including their contact information (telephone number and email address)
  • a written statement regarding “Reflect on your experiences with libraries as an undergraduate student. In your view, how can libraries best provide for student success? How can we better engage with students who are not connected with libraries?” (250 words)

Apply by 11:55 pm (EST) on August 24, 2022 (applications will be reviewed as received). Submit all application materials through the Jobs at UF online application system at Requisition 522973. Failure to submit the required documents may result in the application not being considered. If you have any questions or concerns about this process, please contact Joe Piazza, George A. Smathers Libraries Human Resources Office, at jpiazza@ufl.edu.


[1] Schmaling, K. B., Blume, A. W., & Baker, D. L. (2017). Characteristics of Faculty Position Advertisements Associated with Applicant Diversity. Journal of Higher Education Theory & Practice, 17(8), 10–17.  Collier, D., & Zhang, C. (2016). Can We Reduce Bias in the Recruiting Process and Diversify Pools of Candidates by Using Different Types of Words in Job Descriptions? Mohr, T. S. (2014). Why Women Don’t Apply for Jobs Unless They’re 100% Qualified. Harvard Business Review, 25.
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