Experiential Learning Librarian

Description

This position is a tenure-track, twelve-month faculty appointment at the rank of Assistant Librarian / Assistant Professor or Associate Librarian / Associate Professor.

The University of Arkansas Libraries seeks a creative, collaborative, innovative, and self-starter Experiential Learning Librarian to join our newly created Experiential Learning (EL) department.

The Experiential Learning department oversees the Libraries’ new Makerspace, XR labs, Data Visualization studio, Audio/Visual studios, and Digital Media Lab and looks to provide dynamic services, spaces, and technologies to enable learning, discovery, and research through workshops, programs, and activities for students and faculty. EL department also works with other library departments to provide support to immersive experiential learning initiatives and programs. This position will act as a liaison to campus for these new spaces and actively seek out opportunities for new partnerships and collaborations while working with faculty, students, library departments, and other stakeholders to develop and deliver programming in support of academic and creative endeavors.

Responsibilities include:

• Collaborate with partners across campus to develop experiential learning curricula and programming that positively impact current and future faculty and students' academic and professional success through ideation, experimentation, and creation. This includes providing instructional opportunities related to creative technologies.
• In coordination with the Director of Experiential Learning, develop and implement program goals and objectives.
• Identify, recommend, and implement new services that support creativity and innovation in support of academic and creative endeavors.
• Provide project-based and experiential learning curriculum development support to faculty.
• Analyze usage and user data to assess program effectiveness and make recommendations for program changes.
• Create and implement policies, programs, and procedures related to immersive and creative technologies.
• Provide programming and instruction on digital technology and innovation including developing and delivering regularly scheduled workshops and instruction for courses and preparing customized experiences for school and community groups.
• Serve as the primary liaison to UARK faculty, students, community groups, and other stakeholders to increase the impact of experiential learning spaces in the libraries.
• In collaboration with others, develop and participate in outreach activities on campus and in the community to demonstrate experiential learning space capabilities and introduce tools, technologies, and services. Help prepare promotional materials for these programs.
• Develop and enhance workflows and policies, providing detailed documentation for all processes related to EL spaces, working with Library IT to ensure that equipment and software function correctly, and maintaining supply inventories.
• Supports the professional development of fellow library personnel related to pedagogy that includes experiential and project-based learning, especially using creative technologies.
• Keep abreast of current and emerging creative technologies and make recommendations for implementation as appropriate to grow these programs in the library.
• Supervise a Graduate Assistant and multiple student employees in managing daily operations of EL spaces.

Along with performance, the responsibilities of this position include research and creative work, and service in keeping with the faculty requirements of the University of Arkansas. This position reports to the Director of Experiential Learning & Physics Library.

Relocation allowance available. Benefits include TIAA or Fidelity Investments, 22 days of annual leave, tuition reduction, and health insurance.

Applicants are encouraged to think broadly about and communicate how their skills and experiences transfer to the qualifications listed in ways that may not be obvious, including how non-library-specific skills and experiences speak to the position’s qualifications and needs. We welcome applicants with a range of experiences, backgrounds, and interests to apply for this position, including those new to the profession.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in Library and Information Science from an ALA-accredited institution or equivalent institution by the time of appointment/position start
• Demonstrated experience working in a library setting

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated experience working in creation spaces and/or knowledge of current and emerging creative and maker technologies (including, but not limited to: virtual and augmented reality, 3D printing, prototyping, data visualization, etc.) as they contribute to the needs of students and researchers
• Demonstrated ability to plan, design, implement, and manage new and ongoing services and programs
• Demonstrated knowledge of or a willingness to learn experiential learning theory and practice
• Experience teaching or demonstrated knowledge of pedagogical methodologies to design and deliver effective training and instruction for diverse groups of users (diverse backgrounds, academic disciplines, ages, experience levels, etc.)
• Supervisory experience
• Experience with developing effective outreach activities to promote a program or service

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

• Ability to embrace ambiguity in a changing environment and engage in intelligent risk-taking
• Ability to work effectively in a highly collaborative and inclusive environment
• Willingness to learn innovative technologies and associated processes quickly without formal training
• Ability to supervise others effectively and foster a respectful, positive environment for direct reports
• Excellent customer service skills
• Ability to foster an environment of well-being and belonging
• Demonstrated initiative, optimism, flexibility, and follow through
• Ability to communicate effectively, including excellent interpersonal skills as well as verbal and written skills

The University of Arkansas is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution. The University does not discriminate in its education programs or activities (including in admission and employment) on the basis of age, race, color, national origin, disability, religion, marital or parental status, protected veteran status, military service, genetic information, or sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity). Federal law prohibits the University from discriminating on these bases. Questions or concerns about the application of Title IX, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, may be sent to the University's Title IX Coordinator and to the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights.

Persons must have proof of legal authority to work in the United States on the first day of employment.

All application information is subject to public disclosure under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act.