The posting
Job Description
Position Summary: The Social Science Librarian works with a team of subject librarians in Central Library, one of ten campus libraries within the Jean and Alexander Heard Libraries, to support the research and teaching mission of the Vanderbilt College of Arts and Science. As part of a collaborative team of librarians, this position will partner with faculty, students, and staff to support the teaching and research in the College of Arts and Science and academic schools, departments, and programs in the humanities and social sciences. The Social Science Librarian will be the primary liaison for the History department and other social science departments as assigned. This position will support area-specific collection development and research support services, as well as participate in instruction for the first-year A&S College Core.
Liaison librarians collaborate with faculty and students in their offices, classrooms and other research locations to provide instruction and consultations that support research and coursework. The Social Science Librarian works closely with colleagues in Central Library and across the Vanderbilt Libraries to proactively support trans-disciplinary programs and initiatives and to design, deliver, and assess curriculum-aligned educational programming, conduct outreach to academic programs and campus groups, and provide reference and consultative support to students, faculty, and library colleagues. About the Work Unit The Jean and Alexander Heard Libraries at Vanderbilt University comprises ten libraries, as well as service departments in collections services, digital scholarship & scholarly communications, information technology and digital services, and teaching & learning. We seek to create a welcoming environment and serve as a partner in research and scholarship. The libraries are dynamic places for faculty, staff, students, and alumni to reflect and discover. We also strive to be a workplace in which staff at every level continuously grow in knowledge and skills, staying abreast of advances and trends in librarianship to power relevant, vibrant research libraries. The Jean and Alexander Heard Libraries are fundamental to the university’s goal of advancing scholarship and learning. We collect, preserve and make accessible a wide variety of resources, we partner with faculty and students to shape research, and we encourage the development of informed scholars and engaged citizens.
Key Functions and Expected Performance: • Collaborates with team members to develop and implement a service model that will result in deep library engagement across all social sciences and adjacent disciplines. • Builds collections through selection of materials in all formats that further diversity, equity, inclusion, and access; collaborates with collections librarians in major acquisitions. Manages collections budgets and funds; steward endowments, approval plans, and gifts, as needed. • Participates in library-wide services such as general research assistance (e.g., library email reference, student engagement programming, orientations and tours, and library instruction). Collaborates with colleagues in Central Library to support and enhance existing library-wide programs and services and to develop new programs and services as opportunities arise. • Actively engages with faculty and students in their classrooms, offices and other research environments to bring librarian expertise to users where they work. • Helps build and deliver an information literacy program that is integrated into the Arts & Science curriculum to build student skills in a variety of established and emerging competencies and literacies. • Contributes to collections strategies that are sustainable and responsive to user needs. • Develops and delivers innovative consultation services drawing on trends and current practices in research methodologies used in the social sciences. • Participates in system-wide library and university initiatives and committees. • Participates in scholarly and professional activities such as publication of journal articles and book reviews, and/or presentations at regional and national professional conferences that contribute to the practice of academic librarianship.
Supervisory Relationships: This position does not have supervisory responsibility. Reporting to the College Librarian for Arts and Science and the Assistant College Librarian for Arts and Science, this role is based in the principal arts, social science, and humanities campus library (Central Library), and organizationally located in the Libraries’ Teaching and Learning division. Education and Certifications: • Master’s Degree in Library and Information Science from an ALA accredited institution in-hand or completed within six months after date of hire, or equivalent advanced degree and experience.
Communications: • Internal: Frequent contact and complex communication with various departments, staff, and faculty members. • External: Regular contact with faculty and administrators outside of Vanderbilt University. • Student/Faculty/Patron: Frequent contact with students, faculty and library users. Experience and Skills: • 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 and/or interest in using emerging technologies to enhance the delivery of information services. • Outstanding communication skills and an 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. Preferred: • Subject expertise, undergraduate and/or graduate degree in History, American Studies, Anthropology, Classical Studies or other 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 and 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 a willingness to learn.
About Us
At Vanderbilt University , our work - regardless of title or role - is in service to an important and noble mission in which every member of our community serves in advancing knowledge and transforming lives on a daily basis. Located in Nashville, Tennessee, on a 330+ acre campus and arboretum dating back to 1873, Vanderbilt is proud to have been named as one of “America’s Best Large Employers” as well as a top employer in Tennessee and the Nashville metropolitan area by Forbes for several years running. We welcome those who are interested in learning and growing professionally with an employer that strives to create, foster and sustain opportunities as an employer of choice.
We understand you have a choice when choosing where to work and pursue a career. We understand you are unique and have a story. We want to hear it. We encourage you to apply today so that you might become a part of our story.
Vanderbilt University is an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by law.
