Social Science Librarian

Vanderbilt University•Nashville, TN

4d•Onsite

About The Position

The Social Science Librarian is part of a collaborative team of subject librarians in Central Library, one of ten libraries within Vanderbilt University's Jean and Alexander Heard Libraries. The role supports the teaching and research mission of the College of Arts and Science and academic schools, departments, and programs in the humanities and social sciences. The librarian serves as the primary liaison for the History department and other assigned social science departments, supporting area-specific collection development and research services and participating in instruction for the first-year A&S College Core. The position collaborates with faculty, students, and staff in classrooms, offices, and other research settings to provide instruction, consultations, reference services, and research support. It works with colleagues at Central Library and across Vanderbilt Libraries to support interdisciplinary programs, design and assess curriculum-aligned learning programs, conduct outreach, and provide consultation to library users and colleagues. The role is based in Central Library and organizationally located in the Libraries’ Teaching and Learning division. It reports to the College Librarian for Arts and Science and the Assistant College Librarian for Arts and Science, and has no supervisory responsibility.

Requirements

Master’s degree in Library and Information Science from an ALA-accredited institution, in hand or completed within six months after the date of hire, or an equivalent advanced degree and experience.
0 to 5 years of experience in an academic library.
Breadth of knowledge of scholarly research trends and methodological approaches in historiography and historical research.
Knowledge of current research practices and issues in the humanities and social sciences, especially digital humanities, open research, research impact, and data visualization.
Knowledge of or interest in using emerging technologies to enhance information-service delivery.
Outstanding communication skills and ability to demonstrate effective teaching and presenting.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively on teams.
Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced and changing environment.
Commitment to diversity, equality, inclusion, access, and belonging in building, maintaining, and delivering library collections and services.
Familiarity with one or more Western European languages.

Nice To Haves

Subject expertise, or undergraduate and/or graduate degree, in History, American Studies, Anthropology, Classical Studies, or another related social science discipline.
Experience working and teaching with primary source and archival collections.
Knowledge of established and cutting-edge tools and methods for scholarship, research, textual analysis, and publication, including open access, open data, and preservation, especially in the social sciences and humanities.
Experience in or willingness to learn collection development and management.
Basic knowledge of Arabic or willingness to learn.

Responsibilities

Collaborate with team members to develop and implement a service model that supports broad library engagement across the social sciences and adjacent disciplines.
Select materials in all formats to build collections that further diversity, equity, inclusion, and access, and collaborate with collections librarians on major acquisitions.
Manage collections budgets and funds, and steward endowments, approval plans, and gifts as needed.
Participate in library-wide services, including general research assistance, email reference, student engagement programming, orientations, tours, and library instruction.
Collaborate with Central Library colleagues to support and enhance existing programs and services and develop new ones as opportunities arise.
Engage with faculty and students in classrooms, offices, and other research environments to provide librarian expertise where users work.
Help build and deliver an information literacy program integrated into the Arts & Science curriculum.
Contribute to sustainable collections strategies that respond to user needs.
Develop and deliver consultation services informed by current trends and practices in social science research methodologies.
Participate in library-wide and university initiatives and committees.
Participate in scholarly and professional activities, including publication and presentations at regional and national professional conferences.