Information & Responsibilities
Position Category: Academic
Position Title: Reference and Instruction Librarian
School/Department: Library and Information Resources
Reports To: Library Dean
Time: Full-Time
Appointment: Regular Faculty
Salary Range: $68,222 - $74,720, commensurate with qualifications and experience
Position Starts: The target start date for this position is July 1, 2024.
Review of Applications will Begin: February 1, 2024; applications should be submitted by this date for full consideration.
The California Institute of the Arts (CalArts) Library seeks an enthusiastic, service-oriented, and collaborative librarian to provide innovative reference, instruction, and outreach services. The Reference and Instruction Librarian will join a team of outward-facing, forward-thinking librarians and library staff who work directly with students, faculty, and staff across the Institute as well as artists, theorists, researchers, and other practitioners at local, national, and international levels.
CalArts has a multidisciplinary approach to its studies of the arts through six (6) schools: Art, Critical Studies, Dance, Film/Video, Music, and Theater. The Institute encourages students to explore and recognize the complexity of the arts. CalArts is supported by a distinguished faculty of practicing artists and provides its 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.
The CalArts Library enables artists, scholars, and other library users to develop the skills necessary for creative exploration, critical reflection and lifelong learning, in an environment that supports and promotes the diversity of voices that encompass the CalArts community. The Library offers a full range of academic reference and instruction services, and contains a collection of over 200,000 physical items in all formats and approximately 300,000 electronic resources, as well as a unique archival and rare-book collection.
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.
Responsibilities
PUBLIC SERVICE (75%)
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Leads 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 and conducts course-integrated library instruction.
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Plans, develops, and assesses with the School of Critical Studies an information literacy curriculum for BFA students.
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Provides reference services for all library patrons, both in person and via email, chat, videoconferencing, and phone.
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Plans, develops, and assesses the CalArts Library’s reference program.
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Provides innovative user-centered outreach services. Update, create, and disseminate promotional materials to relevant audiences.
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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 and staff as well as other departments and offices such as Student Affairs and Faculty Affairs.
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Creates, develops, and maintains instructional materials, including web-based resource guides using LibGuides and online orientation modules.
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Participates in evaluation of library services, including reference and instruction.
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Compiles annual statistics for reference and instruction.
COLLECTION DEVELOPMENT AND MANAGEMENT (25%)
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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.
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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.
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Manages submissions of masters’ theses and work samples from graduate students across the Institute.
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Works with librarians and library staff to perform collection maintenance (including weeding) for reference, other materials specific to Critical Studies, and the general collection.
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Makes recommendations for electronic database subscriptions and other online products for reference and general education subject areas.
Requirements
Education and Experience
REQUIRED
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A Master’s degree in Library and Information Science (or equivalent) from an ALA-accredited institution.
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Demonstrated experience in providing reference services as well as library instruction.
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Demonstrated experience with concepts, practices, and tools used for information literacy instruction within an academic library setting, including knowledge and incorporation of the ACRL Framework for Information Literacy for Higher Education.
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Demonstrated commitment to culturally responsive pedagogy and antiracist and inclusive information work, with knowledge of, and interest in, applying critical librarianship, critical information literacy, critical race theory, or other critical studies to professional practice.
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A strong commitment to excellence in public service and the ability to work effectively in a collaborative and culturally diverse environment.
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Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
PREFERRED
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At least two (2) years of professional experience working in an academic or arts library.
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Undergraduate or advanced degree in the arts, humanities, or other creative field.
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Direct experience with creative practices, for example, contemporary and experimental performing or visual arts, critical or creative writing, or other forms of creative self-expression.
ABILITIES
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Works comfortably and equally well in both independent and collaborative situations.
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Works with students from a wide range of cultural, linguistic, academic, and artistic backgrounds.
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Fosters and reinforces a mutually supportive work environment within the Library and across the entire Library team.
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Works with CalArts Library faculty (librarians) and staff to provide high-quality, customer-oriented public services.
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Plans, organizes, schedules work, sets priorities, and meets deadlines.
How to Apply
Applications are due on February 1st, 2024. Position will remain open until filled. Application materials should be submitted through Interfolio: apply.interfolio.com/137142
How to Apply
Please submit a:
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Cover letter that describes your relevant qualifications and your interest in the position
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Current résumé or CV
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Brief diversity statement: Please provide one to two paragraphs describing how diversity, equity, and inclusion figure in your past and present teaching, research, experience, or service. In an additional one to two paragraphs, outline your plans for how you might continue to address and work with diversity, equity, and inclusion in your areas of service within the CalArts Library.
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List of three references
Application materials should be submitted through Interfolio: apply.interfolio.com/137142
Salary:
Reflecting its experimental mission and commitment to non-hierarchical pedagogy, CalArts does not have a tenure-rank system but offers renewable multi-year contracts, a step-based faculty salary advancement plan (FSAP) and a merit program. Salary will be $68,222 - $74,720, commensurate with qualifications and experience. Compensation also includes full benefits and creative leave. For more information about FSAP and merit policy at CalArts:
https://calarts.edu/academics/office-of-the-provost/faculty-affairs/faculty-recruitment
Equity & Diversity
California Institute of the Arts (CalArts) seeks to employ faculty who can engage our diverse communities of learners at the highest levels of artistic endeavor and critical thinking. Across the range of practitioners from artists to scholars and librarians, 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.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
California Institute of the Arts shall abide by the requirements of 41 CFR §§ 60-1.4(a), 60-300.5(a) and 60-741.5(a). These regulations prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities, and prohibit discrimination against all individuals based on their race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. Moreover, these regulations require that covered prime contractors and subcontractors take affirmative action to employ and advance in employment individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.