Academic Librarian

Gwynedd Mercy University•Lower Gwynedd Township, PA

About The Position

The Academic Services Librarian is a collaborative, student-centered professional who supports teaching, learning, and research across the University. Working within a team-based, generalist service model, this role provides research support, skill development, access to resources, and engagement services for on-campus, online, and hybrid learners. Academic Services Librarians share responsibility for core library functions while contributing areas of focused expertise as assigned. Responsibilities and priorities are dynamic and responsive to institutional needs under the direction of the Manager of Library Academic Services. The position supports research and student success through research assistance, individual and group consultations, instruction in information, digital, and AI literacy, and the development of learning objects, tutorials, guides, and other instructional materials. It collaborates with faculty to support student research and skill development. The role also contributes to collection development and stewardship; access and discoverability of print, digital, and open-access resources; cataloging and metadata; course reserves; and resource sharing. It provides circulation and frontline service, promotes library offerings, builds relationships with academic departments and student groups, and plans workshops and events. Additional responsibilities include supporting library systems and tools, keeping current with developments in academic librarianship, assessing services through data collection and analysis, participating in planning and improvement activities, and taking part in shared operational coverage, including evenings and weekends. Librarians function as generalists but may be assigned flexible areas of emphasis according to institutional needs.

Requirements

Master's degree in library and information science from an ALA-accredited program.
Demonstrated professionalism, reliability, and accountability, including consistent attendance and punctuality.
Demonstrated commitment to student success and inclusive service.
Strong teaching, communication, and interpersonal skills.
Ability to work collaboratively in a team-based, cross-functional environment and adapt to changing priorities.
Ability to provide services across multiple modalities, including evenings or weekends as needed.

Nice To Haves

Experience in an academic or higher education library.
Familiarity with library systems and tools such as integrated library systems, OCLC, discovery services, and authentication systems.
Experience supporting student learning through consultations, workshops, or informal instruction.
Familiarity with AI tools and their implications for teaching, learning, and research.
Experience with outreach, programming, or marketing initiatives.
Knowledge of metadata, cataloging practices, or electronic resource management.
Basic familiarity with web technologies.

Responsibilities

Provide research assistance to students, faculty, and staff through in-person, virtual, and asynchronous modalities, including support for undergraduate, graduate, and online learners.
Deliver individual and small-group sessions to develop information, digital, and AI literacy skills.
Teach users to locate, evaluate, and ethically use information from varied sources, including AI-generated and algorithm-driven content, and to think critically about authority, bias, credibility, and emerging technologies.
Develop and maintain learning objects, tutorials, research guides, and self-directed instructional materials.
Provide individual and group consultations for undergraduate, graduate, and online learners.
Collaborate with faculty to support student research and skill development through library services and resources.
Collaborate on collection development, assessment, and stewardship across print, digital, and open-access resources.
Support management and discoverability of electronic and physical resources, troubleshoot access issues, and improve user experience.
Provide original and copy cataloging and maintain metadata to support resource discovery and access.
Assist with course reserves and integration of library resources into learning management systems.
Participate in resource sharing, including interlibrary loan, distance lending, and document delivery.
Provide circulation and frontline service as part of a shared service model.
Promote library services, collections, resources, and programming through outreach, displays, and communications.
Build and sustain relationships with academic departments, programs, and student groups.
Plan and deliver library workshops, events, and group sessions that promote engagement and academic success.
Support and maintain library systems and tools, including discovery platforms, research, course and topic guides, and authentication systems.
Stay current with academic librarianship trends, including open educational resources, scholarly communication, and AI in education.
Contribute to improving user experience across library services and technologies.
Collect, analyze, and report data to assess services, support decision-making, and contribute to accreditation efforts.
Participate in team-based planning, assessment, and continuous improvement activities.
Serve in shared operational roles, including scheduling coverage, evenings and weekends, and facility oversight.
Contribute to special projects, strategic initiatives, and institutional priorities.
Perform other duties as assigned in support of the Keiss Library and Learning Commons and Academic Affairs.