Teachers College - Jobs - Job Details - Head, Reference and Reader Services

Posting Summary:
The Gottesman Libraries aspire to excellence in advancing and sharing transformative knowledge to develop informed and engaged thinkers and leaders in the educational, psychological, and health professions.

Job Summary/Basic Function:
The Gottesman Libraries seeks a Head of Reference and Reader Services. This position is responsible for working with other librarians to strengthen library services; document relevant procedures and policies; and recommend and implement innovative service models. The incumbent must be highly dedicated to patron-facing library services and have high professionalism in the delivery of reference, instruction, information skills training; publishing; and circulation, including the resolution of patron accounts.

Reporting to the Library Director, the Head of Reference and Reader Services will play a key role in managing a small number of professional staff and collegially raising the production, effectiveness, and visibility of research, information, and access services for the Teachers College, Columbia University community. Entailed is a collaborative focus on growing service excellence to meet changing needs; application of resources for open and digital scholarship to enhance research; and building on initiatives that support diversity, equity, and inclusion.

We invite applications from candidates who, through their experience, and/or service, will contribute to the diversity and advancement of the College community.

CHARACTERISTIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead and coach the public services team in the delivery of reference and reader services, and in so doing document processes to fulfill objectives that meet or exceed the demands of a graduate research library. 
• Conduct and promote best practices for tailored and/or specialized research services, including course-specific instructional sessions, individual research consultations, and mindful, timely responses to patrons to strengthen research, information, and access via online support, chat, and in-person desk assistance. 
• Actively publish new research and information tools on the library’s platforms, including academic program research guides, FAQs, tutorials, and training documentation, with special attention to diversity, equity, and inclusion. 
• Collaborate with the Head of Technical Services and colleagues in the application and promotion of open and digital scholarship, and fulfillment of policies and practices that support access to resources, acquired or open. 
• Collaborate with the Library Director and others on reporting, writing, and planning to demonstrate high professional standards and emerging areas of need in reference, instruction, and circulation. 
• Participate in select coordinated collection development, including outreach to faculty on research and access needs.
• Participate on campus committees, engage in professional development, and perform other duties to ensure growth.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Master's in Library Science (MLS) or Master's in Library Information Studies (MLIS)
• Supervisory experience of professional staff
• Knowledge of best practices in public services
• Ability to work creatively, collaboratively, and effectively as a team member, and establish cooperative working relationships with colleagues
• Ability to provide effective user support services including consulting, training, and documentation
• Facility with a range of technology, including ILS, higher education administrative software, content management and information-sharing systems
• Excellence in communication and organization skills
• 3-5 years of experience in library research services
• 1-2 years of experience in library access services

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in an academic or research library
• Experience using exLibris Alma and Primo VE

Salary Range:

$82,400 - $97,000

Work Modality:

Onsite