Instruction and Outreach Librarian

Newberry Library • Chicago, IL

2d • Onsite

About The Position

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

The role coordinates group visits and instructional activities, including hands-on and virtual presentations using Newberry collection items. It works with reference librarians, curators, other library departments, staff, and visiting instructors to support teaching with the collections and to ensure safe handling of rare books, manuscripts, and other materials. The librarian also develops instructional and reference resources, supports professional development, maintains activity statistics, and contributes to efforts to improve diversity, equity, and inclusion in instruction.

This is a full-time, exempt position of 35 hours per week. Normal hours are generally 9:00 AM–5:00 PM, Tuesday through Saturday, with evening and weekend hours as needed. The position 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 the 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 as part of teams.
• Strong leadership, project management, communication, and organizational skills.
• Ability 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 collection presentation requests and manage complex class-visit requests, including scheduling.
• Maintain the collection presentations log and share a weekly class-visits list.
• Lead hands-on and virtual collection presentations, orientations, and tours for visiting groups.
• Collaborate with library departments, staff, reference librarians, curators, and visiting instructors on pedagogical uses of the collections.
• Co-convene the Newberry instruction interest group and participate in planning and implementing professional development for teaching at the Newberry.
• Develop instructional activities, guides, and other resources for staff and external instruction leaders.
• Ensure instructional opportunities and procedures are represented on the library website and participate in improving DEI practices related to instruction.
• Coordinate group visits and retrieval of library materials for instructional activities.
• Encourage the use of a wider range of collection materials in presentations.
• Support safe and successful hands-on instruction with rare books, manuscripts, and other materials.
• Train new library staff in proper handling of materials used in instructional activities.
• Review, implement, and oversee enforcement of library policies and guidelines related to instruction.
• Advise on technology for virtual or hybrid instruction and liaise with Information Technology as needed.
• Maintain and report statistics related to instructional activities.
• Identify and contact potential classes and groups and develop outreach activities promoting use and interpretation of the collections and staff expertise.
• Provide reference assistance in person, by phone, and by email, including responding to reference and genealogy correspondence.
• Serve at the reference desk, register patrons in the Welcome Center, and answer questions at other service points as needed.
• Develop reference guides and other tools related to Newberry collections.
• 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