Atla is hiring: Research and Reference Librarian in Princeton

Serve as the Princeton Theological Seminary’s Research and Reference Librarian, overseeing research instruction and reference services. Provide both in-person and virtual reference support to the residential and online Seminary community, as well as the broader research community. Mentor students through the research process and engage with them to increase their information literacy. Collaborate with the Public Services team on welcoming, assisting and serving library users. Contribute to Wright Library’s mission of enhancing access to its collections and expertise, supporting the teaching, learning, and research at Princeton Seminary. This is a permanent, year-round, on-site position.

Essential Functions

Provide Research and Reference Assistance (50%)

Research and Reference Librarian I includes:

• Assist researchers by answering patron questions
• Promote the use of library collections and expertise through outreach and engagement
• Assist with delivering instructional and curricular support in-person and online
• Stay current with emerging instructional techniques and best practices in information literacy
• Oversee the print reference collection, ensuring proper organization and placement within relevant reference sections; curate and manage the reference collection (both print and online) by making informed collection development recommendations
• Stay up to date with the latest AI trends and innovations; showcase practical applications of AI in search and discovery
• Be knowledgeable about common copyright issues affecting research
• Collect, analyze, and report service-related statistics and metrics
• Manage interlibrary loan requests for the Seminary community
• Assist with library tours

Research and Reference Librarian II includes all previous tasks and the following:

• Design and deliver innovative library instruction programs, including online instructional resources and tutorials, to support information literacy and effective use of library resources
• Reach out to faculty prior to each semester to offer in-person and virtual reference services
• Educate researchers on the benefits and limitations of AI within an academic setting and how AI may be used appropriately in research and the classroom
• Develop guidance and assist researchers and staff concerning copyright issues
• Lead library tours

Research and Reference Librarian III includes all previous tasks and the following:

• Develop best practices for using AI to enhance research; instruct researchers in various AI tools for analysis and discovery
• Serve as a valuable scholarly communication resource for Seminary researchers by guiding them through the publishing cycle, including open access options, various publishing models, and selecting the best venues for publication
• Develop a comprehensive library guide to address frequently asked copyright questions; collaborate with faculty to resolve copyright-related inquiries; provide copyright guidance to the Circulation Desk on setting appropriate parameters for scanners, course reserves, and interlibrary loans

Campus Collaboration and Engagement (30%)

Research and Reference Librarian I includes:

• Collaborate with library management to recommend and implement improvements to access, research, and library policies and services, with a focus on user experience
• Supervise and prioritize tasks for student workers at the Reference Desk (and Circulation Desk as needed)
• Assist the Head of Circulation Services in ensuring adequate staffing at key public service points during library operating hours

Research and Reference Librarian II includes all previous tasks and the following:

• Communicate with Seminary faculty regarding research support and instructional needs; recommend appropriate reference services to faculty and students
• Proactively anticipate and develop new library services aligned with the changing educational needs of the Seminary community
• Train and mentor PhD students pursuing a Library Assistantship
• Collaborate with the Seminary’s online learning office with instruction for research support tools such as bibliographic citation management, Grammarly, and Accordance

Research and Reference Librarian III includes all previous tasks and the following:

• Serve as the primary library liaison for PhD students, providing support for their research and addressing their information access needs; oversee the coordination of the PhD Suite lottery for office and carrel space, as well as the management of PhD Suite keys.
• Offer advanced training in research support tools available through the Library

Other Duties as Assigned (20%)

Perform related tasks as assigned and engage in professional development; contribute to committees as needed and participate in library-wide initiatives and institutional events.

Preferred Qualifications and Skills

• Advanced graduate degree in theological or related studies and/or a master’s degree in library and information science (MLIS) or its equivalent from an ALA-accredited program
• Strong research skills and experience in answering reference questions
• Proficiency in developing instructional resources such as research guides and tutorial videos
• Understanding of information literacy principles and best practices in library instruction
• Ability to collaborate effectively with faculty, researchers, and students to provide research and instructional support
• Strong interpersonal, oral and written communication skills
• Experience working as an effective and collaborative member of a team
• Ability to provide clear guidance and follow through on library policies and research services
• Experience supervising and mentoring student workers
• Ability to anticipate and develop new library services aligned with educational needs
• Strong planning, organization and problem-solving skills
• A high level of proficiency in information and media literacy, electronic resources, library technologies, and integrated library systems
• Ability to work independently, prioritize among competing projects, and sustain a high level of attention to detail
• Engagement in professional development and contributions to institutional initiatives
• Participation in relevant regional/national professional organizations and forums
• The ability to lift 30 pounds and to push and pull book carts weighing 40 pounds, retrieve and return library materials to shelves, and shift library materials

Compensation

Applicants will be hired at the level commensurate with their expertise/experience.

Librarian I: early career level, 0-5 years of experience. Salary $60,000-$65,000.

Librarian II: mid-career level with 5 years plus experience, demonstrated expertise and competencies at the Level II responsibilities and job qualifications. Salary $65,000-$70,000.

Librarian III: senior librarian with substantial years of experience in providing reference and research services, with expertise in all areas of the posting, plus demonstrated skills in staying abreast of and competence in emerging technologies and active in the professional field. Salary $70,000-$75,000.

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