Instruction and Outreach Librarian

Newberry Library • Chicago, IL

2d • $0 - $50,619 • Onsite

About The Position

Reporting to the Director of Reader Services, the Instruction and Outreach Librarian schedules and manages instructional activities for Collections and Library Services, Public Engagement, and Research and Education staff. The role coordinates presentations of library materials; leads presentations, orientations, and tours; develops and implements outreach activities to promote Newberry collections to potential user groups in collaboration with reference librarians, curators, and Research and Education staff; and provides reference assistance to library patrons in person, by phone, and by email. This position is part of a bargaining unit represented by AFSCME Council 31.

The position is full-time and exempt, working 35 hours per week. Normal hours are generally 9:00 AM–5:00 PM, Tuesday through Saturday, with evening and weekend work as needed. The incumbent works primarily onsite.

Requirements

• MLS from an ALA-accredited institution.
• Knowledge of best practices and experience teaching with rare books, manuscripts, and other primary source library materials.
• At least one year of successful instruction experience.
• Ability to engage students in active learning and critical thinking.
• Demonstrated knowledge of a variety of print and electronic reference sources.
• Strong background in history and humanities.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to communicate effectively with diverse library users and staff.
• Strong public service orientation, including tact, patience, and flexibility.
• Ability to work independently and collegially.
• Ability to proactively solve problems independently and in teams.
• Strong leadership, project management, communication, and organizational skills.
• Physical strength, mobility, and endurance to lift up to 25 pounds occasionally.

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge of genealogical resources and practice.

Responsibilities

• Manage and lead instructional activities for Collections and Library Services and Research and Education staff.
• Receive internal and external collection presentation requests, manage complex class visit requests and scheduling, maintain the collection presentations log, and share a weekly class visits list.
• Lead hands-on and virtual collection presentations using Newberry collection items.
• Lead orientations and tours for visiting groups in collaboration with other Reader Services staff.
• Collaborate with library departments, staff, and visiting instructors on pedagogical uses of Newberry collections and safe, successful hands-on instruction involving rare books, manuscripts, and other materials.
• Co-convene the Newberry instruction interest group and participate in planning and implementing professional development activities for teaching at the Newberry.
• Develop instructional activities, guides, and other resources for Newberry staff and external instruction leaders.
• Ensure instructional opportunities and procedures are represented on the library website and participate in improving diversity, equity, and inclusion practices related to instructional activities.
• Coordinate responses to group visit requests with appropriate curators and reference librarians, and arrange retrieval of materials for instructional activities with Reader Services staff.
• Encourage use of materials not previously highlighted in collection presentations to foster new perspectives and avoid repeated use of the same items.
• Train new library staff in proper handling of library materials during instructional activities.
• Review, implement, and oversee enforcement of library policies and guidelines related to instructional activities.
• Advise on appropriate technology for virtual or hybrid instructional activities and liaise with the Information Technology department as needed.
• Maintain and report statistics related to instructional activities.
• Identify and contact potential classes and groups, and develop outreach activities encouraging interpretation and use of Newberry collections and staff expertise.
• Provide reference assistance in person, by phone, and by email; respond to reference and genealogy correspondence; serve at the reference desk; register patrons in the Welcome Center; and respond to questions at other service points as needed.
• Develop reference guides and other tools related to Newberry collection topics.
• Staff circulation desks or assist with reading room circulation as needed.
• Participate in library committees and special projects.
• Keep abreast of developments in librarianship, pedagogy with primary sources, and instructional technologies.
• Perform other tasks or activities needed to achieve departmental goals.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time