California Institute of the Arts (CalArts) Library seeks an enthusiastic, service-oriented, and collaborative librarian to provide innovative reference, instruction, and outreach services as the Head of Reference and Instruction. The Reference and Instruction
Librarian will join a team of outward-facing, forward-thinking librarians and library staff who work directly with artists, theorists, and practitioners across the CalArts community.
CalArts has a multidisciplinary approach to its studies of the arts through six schools: Art, Critical Studies, Dance, Film/Video, Music, and Theater. The Institute encourages students to explore and recognize the complexity of the arts. It is supported
by a distinguished faculty of practicing artists and provides its Bachelor and Master of Fine Arts students with the hands-on training and exposure necessary for an artist’s growth. Founded in 1961 and opened in 1969 as the first institution of higher learning
in the United States specifically for students interested in the pursuit of degrees in all areas of visual and performing arts, CalArts is proud of its diverse student body and is deeply committed to supporting the cultural and artistic aspirations of all
its students.
Priority consideration will be given to candidates who apply by July 30, 2021. While this position is initially being offered under a 1-year, Special Faculty contract, we anticipate a full search to be held next year; temporary hires would be encouraged
to apply.
We seek to employ faculty who can engage our diverse communities of learners at the highest levels of artistic endeavor and critical thinking. We welcome candidates who possess a demonstrated worldview and cultural competency to support teaching and mentoring
undergraduate and graduate students of varied backgrounds, capabilities, perspectives, social identities and gender expressions. CalArts is an equal opportunity employer.
Candidates for this position must legally be able to work in the U.S.
Requirements
Public Service (75%)
- Serves as the Head of Reference and Instruction services for the CalArts Library; provides instructional services for the School of Critical Studies and (as needed) for all other Schools / métiers, including teaching a credit-bearing information literacy
class and conducting course-integrated library instruction
- Plans, develops, and assesses with the School of Critical Studies an information literacy curriculum for BFA students
- Provides reference services for all library patrons, both in person and via email, chat, videoconferencing, and phone
- Plans, develops, and assesses the CalArts Library’s reference program
- Provides innovative user-centered outreach services
- Serves as lead for CalArts Library orientation sessions for students, faculty, and staff; plans, organizes, develops, and conducts Library orientation sessions, in collaboration with other CalArts Library faculty / staff as well as other departments and
offices such as Student Experience, Faculty Affairs, and more
- Creates, develops, and maintains instructional materials, including web-based resource guides using LibGuides
- Participates in evaluation of library services, including reference and instruction
- Compiles annual statistics for reference and instruction
- Manages submissions of masters’ theses and work samples from graduate students across the Institute
Collection Development and Management (25%)
- Primary selector for reference materials. Works with subject librarians to develop reference collections, with a focus on decolonizing these collections to better reflect more comprehensive histories and to represent a broader, more inclusive range of authorships
and perspectives.
- Selector for School of Critical Studies materials, including general education subject areas as well as for the MFA Creative Writing and the MA Aesthetics and Politics Programs. Works closely with faculty in the School of Critical Studies, maintaining in-depth
knowledge of course offerings and curricula
- Performs collection maintenance (including weeding) for reference and the general collection
- Makes recommendations for electronic database subscriptions and other online products for reference and general education subject areas
- Collaborates with CalArts librarians and library staff to develop strategic Acquisitions practices and procedures which help diversify the collections as a whole
Qualifications
Required
- A Master’s degree in Library and Information Science (or equivalent) from an ALA-accredited institution
- Demonstrated experience with instructional design concepts, practices, and tools in an academic library setting
- Education related to, and/or experience with, inclusive and culturally responsive pedagogy
- Demonstrated commitment to antiracist and inclusive information work, with knowledge of, and interest in, critical librarianship and/or critical race theory\
- A strong commitment to excellence in public service and the ability to work effectively in a collaborative and culturally diverse environment\
- Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills
Preferred
- Demonstrated experience in providing reference services as well as library instruction, with at least two (2) years of professional experience working in an academic or arts library
- Undergraduate and/or advanced degree in the arts, humanities, or other creative field
- Knowledge of contemporary and experimental performing and/or visual arts
- Understanding of publishing trends and issues, particularly in regard to the performing and/or visual arts
Abilities and Expectations
- Work comfortably and equally well in both independent and collaborative situations
- Work with students from a wide range of cultural, linguistic, academic, and artistic backgrounds
- Help to foster and reinforce a mutually supportive work environment within the Library and across the entire Library team
- Work with CalArts Library faculty (librarians) and staff to provide high-quality, customer-oriented public services
- Plan, organize, schedule work, set priorities, and meet deadlines
How to Apply
Please submit a cover letter, résumé or CV, brief diversity statement (see below), and list of three references. Please use interfolio to apply - Apply Now