24-103 Tenure-Track Assistant Professor of Information Literacy Librarian

Join a vibrant equity-minded campus community whose excellence is reflected in its community, cultural engagement, and student success. West Chester University (WCU) Libraries invites applicants for a Full-time, 9-month, Tenure-Track, Assistant Professor of Information Literacy Librarian position. The position begins in August 2024.

West Chester University (WCU), a member of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, is a public, comprehensive institution committed to offering high-quality undergraduate education, selected post-baccalaureate and graduate programs, and a variety of educational and cultural resources for its students, alumni, and citizens of southeastern Pennsylvania. The University offers more than 100 graduate and undergraduate programs in the sciences and mathematics, business and public management, arts and humanities, health sciences, education and social work, music, and interdisciplinary studies. We are a community of educators dedicated to developing graduates who succeed personally and professionally and contribute to the common good.

The mission of the University Libraries is to empower intellectual exploration through building connections, collections, and community. As an active member in the University’s academic programs, the libraries are a major contributor to WCU’s core mission of student success. The faculty members serve as both instructors of information literacy and stewards of library resources.

The faculty position involves developing a strategy to assess and communicate the impact and effectiveness of library instruction. The incumbent will also provide leadership in establishing a community of practice amongst teaching librarians around information literacy pedagogy. The teaching responsibility will primarily focus on library instruction sessions for the WCU’s First Year Writing Program. The successful candidate will develop new initiatives based on their experience and interest to extend the reach and impact of the libraries’ information literacy program. The faculty member will collaborate with other university faculty & staff to ensure student success. May work evening and weekend hours.

Responsibilities include:

• Serves as a coordinator of the Teaching and Learning Team; leading in assessment and pedagogy
• Participates in the library instruction program for WCU’s First Year Writing program
• Collects and analyzes data to assess the library instruction program and initiatives
• Serve as a liaison to one or more academic departments by providing instruction, specialized research assistance, and collection development
• Promote information literacy and library instruction across campus
• Provides in-person, chat, email, and telephone support at the Research Help Desk as assigned. May include evening and weekend hours
• Engage in scholarship that includes research, scholarly, and/or creative activities This is necessary for tenure and promotion
• Serve the Library, University, and the community through participation in various committees, conference attendance, engagements, and similar engagements
• Participate in library and university governance (shared governance)
• Other duties as assigned

• Master's degree in Library Science (MLS) or closely related field from an accredited American Library Association institution
• At least 2 years of working experience in an academic library; working independently and collaboratively with others
• Experience delivering information literacy instruction
• Ability to effectively communicate in writing & verbally, and present dynamically to a variety of constituents

• Familiarity with a variety of pedagogical frameworks such as ACRL’s Framework for Information Literacy, Universal Design for Learning, critical pedagogy, etc.; and/or
• Experience with instructional assessment; and/or
• Familiarity with a variety of in-person and online instructional modalities (learning objects, LibGuides, tutorials, workshops, etc.); and/or
• Experience with providing reference services; and/or
• Additional graduate degree or coursework beyond MLS degree (necessary for promotion)

Required Documents for Consideration

To be considered as an applicant for this position, please submit the following:

• Cover letter
• Curriculum vitae
• Official transcripts will be requested prior to hire
• List of three references (Include name, email address, and phone number for each reference)
• Diversity Statement (See below)

Commitment to Diversity Equity and Inclusion: 

West Chester University has joined EAB’s Moon Shot initiative for Equity in Higher education. This initiative is designed to support faculty, students, and staff who are typically excluded and therefore are underrepresented. As part of your application for a tenure-track faculty position, we request a Diversity Statement. This request highlights our department's commitment to promote diversity and inclusiveness and to cultivate a campus environment that welcomes all. This commitment reflects the Diversity Theme of West Chester University's Strategic Plan and supports initiatives of our Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (WCU Diversity Equity Inclusion). We expect that each applicant's statement will be unique as informed by their own experiences and goals. Some topics you might address in a 1-2-page statement include the following: (1) How have you supported diversity and inclusion in your interactions with others in classroom, clinical or therapy setting, or research environment(s)? (2) What have you done to help students from diverse communities (such as underrepresented minorities, non-traditional, LGBTQ, veteran, rural, and/or first generation) succeed, including any programs for these students that you have participated in? (3) Describe your commitment to working toward achieving equity and enhancing diversity at WCU. How might you contribute to our current diversity initiatives, and do you have any other ideas to help promote equity on our campus?

All offers of employment are subject to and contingent upon satisfactory completion of all preemployment background checks. 

Developing and sustaining a diverse faculty and staff advances WCU’s educational mission and strategic Plan for Excellence. West Chester University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. Women, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.