Are you a health sciences librarian passionate about partnering in research on cutting-edge, evidence-based health care who enjoys leading others in an inclusive and collaborative culture?
Saint Louis University Libraries invite you to apply for the position of Assistant Director for Research & Information Services at the Medical Center Library. Supporting the Libraries' strategic plan and the University’s R1 research status, the successful candidate will coordinate the provision of reference services, including managing and supervising faculty librarians, conducting expert literature searches, supporting research initiatives, and furthering evidence-based practices toward a common goal of high-quality synthesis for clinical care and published research. The position reports to and works collaboratively with the Associate Dean & Director of the Medical Center Library.
Saint Louis University Medical Center Library seeks resourceful, energetic, and innovative candidates to join the team of professional, talented, and collaborative library staff.
The Assistant Director for Research & Information Services is a non-tenure-track faculty position that coordinates the provision of reference services, including conducting expert literature searches, supporting research initiatives, and furthering evidence-based practices toward a common goal of high-quality synthesis for clinical care and published research.
Position Purpose
The Assistant Director is responsible for the daily management of the Medical Center Library’s Reference Department and the overall coordination of the Medical Center Library’s public services. The Assistant Director for Research and Information Services is responsible for managing and supervising department faculty librarians and reports to the Medical Center Library Director & Associate Dean.
The incumbent oversees reference services, including assisting medical and health care faculty and students in the effective use of their literature; facilitates and participates in the library's program of instruction; serves as liaison to one or more medical or health sciences departments, and oversees and manages the library’s liaison program. In conjunction with other librarian faculty and with the Associate Dean of Collections & Strategy and the Head of Electronic Resources, the Assistant Director develops library journal, book, and database collections.
Position Responsibilities
Primary Duties and Responsibilities
Reference and Liaison Services:
- Direct and provide reference and liaison services in support of the study, research, teaching, and clinical care needs of students, faculty, and staff.
- Coordinate and oversee the delivery of reference and information services in-person, by phone, e-mail, chat, and other means of inquiry.
- Lead an integrated library liaison outreach program to library users.
- Maintain active collegial relationships with faculty, students, administration, and other clienteles.
- Initiate service improvements and enhancements. Facilitate effective collaboration among library service units.
Teaching and Instruction:
- Coordinate education and outreach services to library users.
- Develop and provide course-integrated education and library classes.
- Oversee instruction for the Medical Information Management (MIM) course for incoming first-year medical students and advanced required and elective courses for medical students and other clienteles.
- Coordinate development of online tutorials and other electronic teaching materials.
Collection Development and Access:
- Work with librarian colleagues MCL and Pius to develop collections that effectively support the study, research, teaching, and clinical needs of faculty, students, and staff.
- Coordinate internally and with the Associate Dean of Collections and Strategy to review journal, book, and databases collections.
- Work with the Associate of Collections & Strategy and the Head of Electronic Resources to gather usage statistics and other data relevant to collections assessment.
- Maintain effective contacts with librarian colleagues at Pius, faculty, students, alumni, and others.
Supervision and Management:
- Train and supervise librarian faculty and staff in providing effective reference and education services.
- Determine work assignments, procedures, and schedules to ensure optimal provision of services.
- Supervise and evaluate reference faculty and head of access services to achieve individual goals and objectives, to collectively achieve department and library goals, and to foster continuous professional development.
- Work with other public services staff to develop new programs and to revise existing programs to best meet user needs. Assist in hiring and evaluating staff.
- Represent the Medical Center Library in the absence of the Director.
Service, Scholarship, and Professional Development:
- Serves on committees and task forces at the department, Libraries, and University level.
- Participates in local, state, and national/international professional and scholarly societies and organizations.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications
- An American Library Association-accredited master’s degree in Library and Information Science (MLS/MLIS/MSIS).
- 5 to 7 years biomedical reference experience, including training and managing staff to work productively within deadlines in a collegial environment of rapid development and change.
- Strong user-centered approach to reference services.
- Motivation for continuous professional development and for growth as a faculty member.
- Ability to search and teach the biomedical literature following evidence-based methodology to provide high quality search results.
- Biomedical education and technical skills, including demonstrated knowledge in the use of PubMed and other standard medical information resources.
- Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills.
- Demonstrated commitment to and support for equity, diversity, and inclusion.
Preferred Qualifications
- Subject master’s degree or PhD in related field.
