You are a student of library science at a well-regarded library school. You would like to find a position as a reference librarian, perhaps even one involving social science reference. You quickly find WWW sites for the Chronicle of Higher Educatio n, College and Research Libraries News and American Libraries. You find a few position announcements to get a feel for what is out there. Examine each position announcement and compare what they are looking for with the skills and exper iences that you have. Be prepared to be able to define what standard phrases such as "excellent communication skills" mean to you.
Position: Reference Librarian
Institution: Penn State Beaver
Location: Pennsylvania
Date posted: 11/1/2001
Library:REFERENCE LIBRARIAN, PENN STATE BEAVER: Inviting applications for the Fixed-Term Multi-Year, non-tenure track position of Reference Librarian. Typical hours during fall and spring semesters are two weekdays 2:00-10:00 p.m. and three weekdays 8:00
a.m.-5:00 p.m., and during the summer semester 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. weekdays. Primary responsibilities are reference, instruction, collection development and technology applications in an academic library. Participation on committees and campus service
expected. Successful candidate will have an MLS, excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Experience with on-line searching, instruction and web-based systems is desired. Review of applications will begin immediately, and continue until the posit
ion is filled. For more information visit http://www.libraries.psu.edu/crsweb/jobs/ . Send cover letter, resume and three professional references to Search Committee, The Pennsylvania State University Libraries, Box BVFT-CHE, 511 Paterno Library, Universi
ty Park, PA 16802. AA/EOE
Position: Business Reference Librarian
Institution: University of Colorado at Boulder
Location: Colorado
Date posted: 10/12/2001
Library: Business Reference Librarian, University of Colorado at Boulder. The business reference librarian participates as a member of the team that designs and implements the Business Library's reference services in all milieus, including library instruc
tion; reference of all kinds, including electronic and print sources; and special projects as needed. Other responsibilities include collection development and participating as a member of the academic community. The William M. White Business Library prov
ides branch library services to the students and faculty of the University of Colorado in general and the students and faculty of the College of Business and Administration in particular. The library specializes in services and collections for the various
subjects of business
administration. This is a tenure-track faculty position reporting to the Head of the Business Library. Significant parts of the responsibilities of this position are research and creative work and service in keeping with the tenure standards of the Univer
sity of Colorado at Boulder. Requirements: Master's degree from an ALA-accredited library school by January 1, 2002; Course work and/or experience with current information technologies and their applications to reference and instructional services; Initia
tive, creativity, and flexibility to work effectively in a rapidly
changing service environment; Effective oral and communication skills; strong interpersonal skills; Demonstrated potential for research, scholarly, and/or professional achievement at a national level. Desirable Qualifications: Experience in business libra
rianship; Experience in providing business reference services; Experience in providing instructional services to university/college students; Experience in searching business databases in a Web environment; Course work/degree in business fields. Appointme
nt and Salary: The successful candidate with demonstrated accomplishments in research and creative work will be appointed as a full-time assistant professor on tenure track. A successful candidate with promise in research but lacking an established schola
rly record will be appointed as a senior instructor (non-tenure track) for two years, with promotion to the tenure track and the rank of assistant professor upon a successful review. Starting salary range will be $33,000-37,000. Benefits include 22 workin
g days vacation, 10 paid holidays, liberal sick leave, University group health care plan, group life insurance, TIAA/CREF retirement/annuity, and support for scholarly/professional activities. Tenured librarians are eligible for sabbatical leave. Applicat
ion Procedure: Review of applications and nominations will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. It is suggested that applications be on file with the committee by December 1, 2001. Send letter of application specifically addressing
qualifications for the position, resume, and names, addresses and telephone numbers of three references to
Scott Seaman, Associate Director for Administrative Services, University Libraries, University of Colorado at Boulder, Campus Box 184, Boulder, Colorado 80309-184. The University of Colorado at Boulder is committed to diversity and equality in education a
nd employment.
San Diego State University Library and Information Access seeks applications and nominations for an Education Librarian who will develop and support pro-active library services for the College of Education.
Duties and Responsibilities: Provide the following for the College of Education, its faculty, students, staff, centers and programs:
Required Qualifications:
Preferred Qualifications:
This is a full-time, twelve-month, tenure track faculty position. Tenure is dependent upon continuing library service effectiveness, professional growth and development, and service for the University and the community. Rank of either Senior Assistant or Associate Librarian, with a starting salary from: $48,156 - $77,028. Excellent benefits, including 24 days vacation.
Position: Reference Librarian
Institution: University of Texas-Pan American
Location: Texas
Date posted: 10/30/2001
Library: Reference Librarian, The University of Texas-Pan American (UTPA). Responsibilities: Provides reference assistance to students, faculty, and other library patrons, with particular emphasis placed on use of electronic resources, including CD ROM da
tabases and the Internet. Assists with the Library’s resources. Participates in collection development as assigned. Required: MLS degree from an ALA accredited institution; knowledge of reference sources including those accessed by electronic technologies
; ability to interact and communicate well with the public; ability to work a flexible schedule which includes some evening and weekend responsibilities. Ability to work successfully with colleagues and staff. Preferred: Knowledge of DRA: two or more year
s reference and/or instructional services work experience in an automated academic library plus supervisory experience. Position: Non-tenured administrative staff position. Open until filled. Salary: $35,000/year. To Apply: Submit a UTPA application, resu
me, the names of three references and official transcripts to The University of Texas-Pan American, Personnel Services Office, 1201 W. University Drive, Edinburg, Texas 78539. Note: This is a security sensitive position, conviction verification conducted
on applicant selected. UTPA is an AA/EOE. (01/02-82).
Social Science Reference Librarian
Entry level, 12 month faculty, tenure track appointment. Provides direct reference service to faculty and students in a team environment, including night and weekend assignments. Participates and fosters library instruction in information resources and re
search strategies. Responsible for collection development and departmental liaison within assigned departments. Supports other library activities and serves on committees. Actively pursues professional and scholarly endeavors.
Required: MLS from an ALA-accredited program; effective and adaptive interpersonal skills; knowledge and experience with emerging electronic technologies and basic computer software; excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Desired: Work experience in an academic library (internships acceptable); experience in utilizing print, electronic, and Internet resources; experience with Web as a designer, author, and evaluator; motivated with a strong public service philosophy; de monstrated ability to meet the university's requirements for promotion and tenure appointment. Preference will be given to those with course work in business related areas.
SALARY: $31,000
BENEFITS: All positions include an excellent benefits package, including TIAA-CREF retirement, insurance, 22 days' vacation, 12 days of sick leave per year.
REFERENCE/ELECTRONIC RESOURCES LIBRARIAN. Chicago North Shore community seeks service-oriented librarian to provide reference service and to coordinate electronic information services. Includes acquisition of online databases, staff and patron training , troubleshooting hardware and software, maintaining library Web site, and supervising part-time computer assistants. Prefer one year of library and computer technologies experience. ALA/MLS. Starting salary from $35,648, DOQ, with health and retirement b enefits. Send resume and 3 work references to: Gail P. Juris, Head of Reference, Highland Park Public Library, 494 Laurel Ave., Highland Park, IL 60035; 847-432-0216. (No e-mail or fax applications, please.)
REFERENCE/ADULT SERVICES LIBRARIAN. The Bud Werner Memorial Library, set in the beautiful mountain resort community of Steamboat Springs, Colorado, is seeking an enthusiastic, well-rounded librarian with a strong public service orientation to serve as the lead reference professional in a well-used public library serving a population of 12,000. PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE collection development, reference, and readers' advisory services. Also participates in organizing public relations activities and events. Serves as an active member of the library 's management team. Minimum requirements: Master's degree in library or information sciences. Minimum starting salary: $33,000-$40,000, DOE. To apply submit a letter of interest, resume, and the names of 3 references with addresses and phone numbers to: Christine Painter, Director, Bud Werner Memorial Library, 1289 Lincoln Ave., Steamboat Springs, CO 80487. Open until filled.
There appear to be few announcements for social science reference librarians in the public library so what follows is based almost exclusively on academic library announcements.
Announcements usually appear in three parts:
Here are some qualifications likely to appear in an announcement. Which of these are most important? Why?
If you were asked why you want to be a reference librarian, what would you say? If you were asked what you want to do as a reference librarian, what would you say? If you were asked about your knowledge of the social sciences and social science referen ce sources, what would you say?
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