The posting
Position Title:
Student Success Librarian
Position Type:
Regular
Hiring Range:
$85,400 to $115,200 annually; Compensation will be based on education, experience, skills relevant to the role, and internal equity.
Pay Frequency:
Annual
Applications received by August 3, 2026 will receive priority review.
POSITION PURPOSE
The Student Success Librarian is responsible for supporting the University Library’s student success initiatives, with particular focus on engaging with campus-wide entities, such as the LEAD program, Center for Student Involvement, and the Transfer Student Working Group. The position collaborates in the design and delivery of programming and resources directed towards advancing and reinforcing campus and library student success priorities. This position also provides specialized research consultation, instruction, and collection development for a number of departments or programs, including Gender and Sexuality Studies and Ethnic Studies. This position reports to the Head of Research, Outreach, and Inclusion.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Student Success Activities (60%)
- Fosters belonging and academic growth by supporting priority library activities including the library's research workshop series and Inclusive Excellence newsletter submissions
- Serves as a library liaison to programs on campus that support first generation and transfer students
- Maintains and cultivates library relationships with first-year experience programs, orientations, and student success programs on campus
- Collaborates with Center for Student Involvement on their orientation program for first-year and transfer students.
- In collaboration with the Head of Research, Outreach, and Inclusion, develops, implements, and assesses library student success initiative focused on supporting priority student populations
- Engages in professional learning related to emerging trends and best practices that develop greater awareness of student success efforts, such as community building and transfer and commuter student outreach
Subject Liaison Activities (30%)
- Collaborates with faculty to design and deliver information literacy instruction in support of undergraduate writing courses
- Serves as subject librarian for the departments of Gender and Sexuality Studies, Ethnic Studies, and additional departments based on interest and availability.
- Collaborates with faculty in those subjects to design and deliver instruction sessions that support student learning
- Identifies and develops opportunities for promoting the library and its services to those subject areas
- Provides specialized reference assistance to those areas
- Develops and manages the Library’s electronic and print collections related to the above subject areas in partnership with the Collections and Scholarly Communications unit
- Identifies new monograph titles and/or updates order profiles to facilitate the adding of monographic materials to the collection
- Supports collection management in subject areas by engaging with and interpreting data to make decisions related to holdings (such as deselections and cancellations)
- Participates in broader discussions related to library collections and their assessment in the Collections & Access Group.
- Provides in-person and virtual research assistance and consultations to students, faculty, staff, and visitors
Service and Scholarship (10%)
- Serves on and/or chairs University and University Library committees, working groups, and task forces.
- Participates in local, state, regional, and national/international professional and scholarly societies and organizations.
- Conducts research related to library science and/or another appropriate academic discipline; presents results at conferences and/or through publication.
Other duties as assigned
C. PROVIDES WORK DIRECTION
This position does not have any direct reports.
D. GENERAL GUIDELINES
Recommends initiatives and implements changes to improve quality and services. Identifies and determines cause of problems; develops and presents recommendations for improvement of established processes and practices. Maintains contact with customers (library staff) and solicits feedback for improved services. Maximizes productivity through use of appropriate tools; planned training and performance initiatives. Researches and develops resources that create timely and efficient workflow. Prepares progress reports; informs supervisor of project status; and deviation from goals. Ensures completeness, accuracy and timeliness of all operational functions. Prepares and submits reports as requested and required. Develops and implements guidelines to support the functions of the Research, Outreach and Inclusion department.
Receives Work Direction
- Reports to and is supervised by the Head of Research, Outreach, and Inclusion
- May receive work orientation, guidance, or training from University Library colleagues within and external to the Research, Outreach, and Inclusion department
Work Schedule
- This is a full-time, 40 hours per week position. Working days are Monday through Friday. Occasional evening or weekend work may be required to support department and unit services, programs, and events.
E. QUALIFICATIONS
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The items below are representative of the knowledge, skills, abilities, education, and experience required or preferred.
This position requires the ability to effectively establish and maintain cooperative working relationships within a diverse multicultural environment.
Knowledge
- Knowledge, or awareness, of trends, methods and practices in student success and engagement required
- Knowledge of the principles and practices of the research interview
- Knowledge of emerging instructional practices and their application
- Knowledge of current trends and issues in scholarly communication
- Knowledge of emerging issues and technologies in academic librarianship
- Knowledge of best practices and goals of collection development
- Knowledge of the assessment cycle and its use in continuous program improvement
Skills
- Demonstrated competency in both in-person and virtual reference work, preferably in an academic library required
- Excellent interpersonal, oral, written, collaboration, and presentation skills for communicating in multiple formats with a wide range of constituencies required
- Demonstrated interest or experience in student success required
- Applies pedagogy appropriately and effectively in teaching
- Excellent organizational and time management skills
- Examines their own cultural backgrounds and identities to increase awareness of personal assumptions, values, and biases
Abilities
- Interest or experience in advocating for students preferred
- Demonstrated ability to work creatively, collaboratively, and effectively, both as a team member and independently
- Ability to provide exceptional service to a diverse community
- Strong commitment to serving the needs of library users and willingness to advocate for their needs
- Ability to provide exceptional service to a diverse community
- Demonstrated ability to problem solve and troubleshoot library related issues
- Committed to advancing inclusion, diversity, and social justice in library services and programs
Education
- Master’s degree from an ALA-accredited (or equivalent) library science or information science program required
Years of Experience
- At least two years of experience providing services in a library setting preferred
- Background in Gender and Sexuality Studies, Ethnic Studies, or another relevant discipline preferred
- Experience and engagement in professional development activities preferred
Appointment level:
This position is included in the Academic Staff Librarian category. The specific level at which an appointment is made is determined by the successful candidate’s level of experience and professional accomplishment. Minimum qualifications for those ranks are:
Assistant Librarian (salary grade 05): up to two years professional experience after receiving the MLS; interest in scholarship and professional/community service appropriate for an early-career librarian.
Senior Assistant Librarian (salary grade 06): at least two years professional experience after receiving the MLS; evidence of scholarly ability (e.g., additional coursework, conference presentations, publications) and professional or community service (e.g., active participation in professional society activities, involvement in committee or other service work at previous employers or community organizations) appropriate for an early-career librarian.
Associate Librarian (salary grade 07): at least five years professional experience after receiving the MLS; evidence of scholarly ability (e.g., additional coursework or advanced degrees, conference presentations, publications) and professional or community service (e.g., active participation in professional society activities, involvement in committee or other service work at previous employers or community organizations) appropriate for a mid-career librarian.
Librarian (salary grade 08): at least seven years professional experience after receiving the MLS; evidence of scholarly ability (e.g., additional coursework or advanced degrees, conference presentations, publications) and professional or community service (e.g., active participation in professional society activities, involvement in committee or other service work at previous employers or community organizations) appropriate for a senior librarian.
F. PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, as amended, the California Fair Employment & Housing Act, and all other applicable laws, SCU provides reasonable accommodations for qualified persons with disabilities. A qualified individual is a person who meets skill, experience, education, or other requirements of the position, and who can perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
- Considerable time is spent at a desk using a computer terminal
- May be required to travel to other buildings on the campus
- May be required to attend conference and training sessions within the San Francisco Bay Area or in- or out-of-state locations
- May be required to occasionally travel to outside customers, vendors or suppliers
G. WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics described below are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.
- Typical office environment
- Mostly indoor office environment with windows
- Offices with equipment noise
- Offices with frequent interruptions
Telecommute
Santa Clara University is registered to do business in the following states: California, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, and Illinois. Employees approved to telecommute are required to perform their work within one of these states.
EEO Statement
Equal Opportunity/Notice of Nondiscrimination
Santa Clara University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender expression, gender identity, marital status, parental status, veteran or military status, physical or mental disability, medical conditions, pregnancy or related conditions, reproductive health decision making, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. For a complete copy of Santa Clara University’s equal opportunity and nondiscrimination policies, please visit the Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX website at https://www.scu.edu/title-ix/.
Clery Notice of Availability
Santa Clara University annually collects information about campus crimes and other reportable incidents in accordance with the federal Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act. To view the Santa Clara University report, please visit the Campus Safety Services website. To request a paper copy please call Campus Safety at (408) 554-4441. The report includes the type of crime, venue, and number of occurrences.
Americans with Disabilities Act
Consistent with its obligations under the law, Santa Clara University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants who wish to request a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact the Department of Human Resources ADA Team at [email protected] or by phone at (408)554-4392. Please note: This contact information is intended for accommodation requests only. Resumes or inquiries about application status sent to this inbox will not be reviewed or forwarded. For resumes or questions regarding application status, please contact [email protected].
