Posted 1/31/2013: Journalism & Mass Communications Librarian - Assistant University Librarian, University of Florida/George A. Smathers Libraries, Gainesville, Florida, USA

POSITION VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

 

                  POSITION:                     Journalism & Mass Communications Librarian

 

                  RANK:                             Assistant University Librarian

 

                  REPORTS TO:               Chair, Humanities and Social Sciences Library (Library West)

 

SALARY:                        Minimum Salary: $45,417; Actual salary will reflect selected professional’s experience and credentials

 

                       Requisition #:           0902364

 

DEADLINE DATE:       March 10, 2013 - review of applications will begin on February 15, 2013

 

Please note that this posting has specific instructions for the submission of application materials - see our website at: http://web.uflib.ufl.edu/pers/careers.htm  or the APPLICATION PROCESS section below for further details.  Failure to submit all of the required documents may result in the application not being considered.

 

JOB SUMMARY:

The Humanities and Social Sciences Library (Library West) at the University of Florida’s George A. Smathers Libraries seeks a creative and service-oriented reference and collection management librarian for journalism and mass communications. The Journalism and Mass Communications Librarian is a tenure track library position which will provide reference assistance, instruction, outreach and collection management to support the large faculty and student populations and academic programs in this discipline. The primary focus will be on the College of Journalism and Communications (http://www.jou.ufl.edu/). The Journalism and Mass Communications Librarian will work closely with academic faculty and students, the Humanities and Social Sciences Collections Coordinator, other librarians selecting social science materials, and technical services librarians to provide and improve library services.  A key element of the assignment is the use of new technology to access and deliver information to library users. The librarian will work collaboratively on group efforts and maintain close professional relationships with faculty, students and colleagues.

 

The library encourages staff participation in reaching management decisions and consequently the Journalism and Mass Communications Librarian will serve on various committees and teams. To support all students and faculty and foster excellence in a diverse and global society, the Journalism and Mass Communications Librarian will be expected to include individuals of diverse backgrounds, experiences, races, ethnicities, genders, and perspectives in work activities. The incumbent will pursue professional development opportunities, including research, publication, and professional association activities, to meet library-wide criteria for tenure and promotion.

 

RESPONSIBILITIES:

1.         Provides outreach and specialized reference services for faculty, graduate students, and scholars in the fields of journalism, advertising, public relations and telecommunications by referral and appointment, at the traditional service desks, and electronically.

2.         Selects print, electronic and other materials in support of the undergraduate and graduate programs in journalism, advertising, public relations and telecommunications (through the College of Journalism),  including international/intercultural communication, multi-media journalism, science/health communication, mass communication law and regulation, global strategic communication and agricultural communication. Works closely with academic faculty to select materials relevant to curriculum development and research interests.

3.         Designs and delivers instruction programs using traditional classroom methods as well as emerging educational technologies.

4.         Manages subject-related budgets and approval plans for materials in all formats. Coordinates selection activities with other selectors.

5.         Participates in the provision of general undergraduate research assistance at the Library West service desks, local and statewide virtual (chat) reference services, and email reference services. Assists Library West patrons with the Information Commons computer workstations, scanners and other media technology.

6.         The Journalism and Mass Communication librarian supports the Division of Multimedia Properties within the College of Journalism and Communications, including the radio, television and digital properties groups. Collaborates as needed with the Center for Media Innovation and Research, the Marion Brechner Center for Freedom of Information, the Institute for Public Relations, and other college initiatives.  

7.         Develops and maintains web-based subject guides, tutorials, videos, and multimedia projects related to journalism and mass communications.

8.         In order to support the mission of outreach and instruction for the University Writing Program and the larger UF community, serves as a library mentor for UWP teaching assistants; serves as instructor and library contact for UWP students as needed.

9.         Participates in planning, policy formation and departmental decision making related to Library West services, collections and new technologies.

10.     Participates in appropriate professional library organizations on the state, regional and national levels. Pursues professional development goals, including publication.

11.     Participates in fund raising activities and other appropriate library development efforts.

 

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required:

1.         Masters degree in library science from an ALA accredited library school or equivalent, or  advanced degree in journalism or relevant mass communications discipline and relevant library experience.

2.         Undergraduate degree in journalism, advertising, public relations, telecommunications or mass communication or extensive work experience in one of these subject areas

3.         Demonstrated commitment to outreach across disciplines and constituencies

4.         Knowledge of journalism and mass communication information resources

5.         Excellent verbal and written communication skills

6.         Ability to work effectively in a team and individually with faculty, staff and students 

7.         Initiative, flexibility, and the ability to adapt and work creatively in a complex, rapidly changing academic environment

8.         Demonstrated knowledge of and interest in the integration of new technologies into the delivery of information services

9.         Proficient in the design and creation of web pages and web based materials

10.     Strong commitment to user-focused service

11.     Excellent presentation and organizational skills

12.     Strong potential for meeting the requirements of tenure and promotion (outlined at http://www.uflib.ufl.edu/pers/cdh)

 

Preferred:

1.         Advanced degree in journalism, advertising, public relations or telecommunications

2.         Work experience in a library with extensive journalism/mass communication materials

3.         Experience in collection management and budgeting

4.         Experience with or course work in teaching/instruction

5.         Experience in evaluating print and online resources

6.         Experience with user-focused service

7.         Record of including individuals of diverse backgrounds, experiences, races, ethnicities, genders, and perspectives in research, teaching, service and other work

 

The University of Florida

The University of Florida (UF) is a major, public, comprehensive, land-grant, research university. The state's oldest and most comprehensive university, UF is among the nation's most academically diverse public universities. UF has a long history of established programs in international education, research and service. It is one of only 17 public, land-grant universities that belong to the Association of American Universities. UF traces its beginnings to a small seminary in 1853 and is now one of the largest universities in the nation, with more than 50,000 students. For more information, please consult the UF homepage at http://www.ufl.edu.

 

GEORGE A. SMATHERS LIBRARIES

The George A. Smathers Libraries is a member of the Association of Research Libraries, the Center for Research Libraries, the Research Libraries Group, and LYRASIS. The library staff consists of more than 400 FTE librarians, technical/clerical staff and student assistants. The George A. Smathers Libraries organizational chart is available at: http://www.uflib.ufl.edu/backpage.html. For more information about the Libraries, please visit http://www.uflib.ufl.edu.

 

Humanities and social sciences LIBRARy (library west)

H&SS Library West is the largest branch library on the UF campus, with 16 faculty and 16 staff members, seating for 1,400 patrons, and 165 public computers.  In 2012, Library West received over 1.4 million visitors. Renovated in 2006, the branch offers 17 group study rooms, 2 media rooms, an ADA room, video conferencing facilities, faculty and graduate carrels as well as a limited-access floor for graduate students. Two classrooms are available, one with auditorium-style seating and the other with 19 computers for hands-on instruction.  Four staff meeting rooms serve the entire Libraries. Within the branch, there are four functional units: Research Assistance, Instruction and Outreach, Collections, and Circulation; these units are managed by coordinators who oversee the daily functions. Programs and lectures are scheduled throughout the year in the Information Commons area. The branch is also home to the Libraries Administration, Business Services, Human Resources, Library Facilities Planning, and the Access Support unit providing ILL and Reserves services for all branches.

 

COMMUNITY:

Gainesville, Florida and the surrounding community are home to approximately 240,000 people and both the University of Florida and Santa Fe College.  Situated just over an hour from the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean, the city is surrounded by over 40 nature parks, including many spring-fed lakes and rivers. In 2007, Gainesville was ranked as the “Best Place to Live and Work” by Frommer’s Cities Ranked and Rated and as one of the “Best Places to Live and Play” by National Geographic Adventure. Gainesville is known as an innovative municipal government and an innovative city. Gainesville continues to receive national recognition as a top-rated city. Some of Gainesville's accolades are listed at the Gainesville Awards and Recognition link. A recent article inFlorida Trend Magazine offers an in depth Community Portrait of Gainesville and the University of Florida. The area has numerous cultural institutions and is a haven for sports fans. Jacksonvi

Application Process:

The University of Florida is an equal opportunity employer and is strongly committed to the diversity of our faculty and staff. Applicants from a broad spectrum of people, including members of ethnic minorities and disabled persons, are especially encouraged to apply. As part of the application process, applicants are invited to complete an on-line confidential and voluntary demographic self-disclosure form which can be found at: http://www.hr.ufl.edu/job/datacard.htm. This information is collected by the University of Florida's Office of Human Resources to track applicant trends and is in no way considered by the Smathers Libraries in the selection process.



Please submit application materials via e-mail. Send, as attachments (MS-Word and PDF format preferred), a cover letter detailing your interest in and qualifications for this position; a written statement regarding your thoughts on the role of the academic librarian as an effective agent and resource for faculty and students working in the rapidly changing journalism and mass communications disciplines (250 words); your current resume and a list of three references including their address, telephone and email information. Apply by March 10, 2013 (applications will be reviewed beginning February 15, 2013). Send all required application materials to Bonnie Smith, Smathers Libraries Human Resources Office, at: bonniesmith@ufl.edu.



Final candidate will be required to provide official transcript to the hiring department upon hire. A transcript will not be considered “official” if a designation of “Issued to Student” is visible. Degrees earned from an education institution outside of the United States are required to be evaluated by a professional credentialing service provider approved by National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES), which can be found at http://www.naces.org/.



When applying, please mention that you saw this ad on LISjobs.com/Library Job Postings on the Internet.