Business & Communication Librarian

The San Diego State University (SDSU) Library invites applications and nominations for a 12-month, tenure-track position to be appointed at the Senior Assistant Librarian level, with a start date in the Summer of 2022. The Business and Communication Librarian will provide research assistance, information literacy instruction, and support for library collections initiatives as part of the Research, Instruction, and Outreach team. The successful candidate will act as the liaison to the School of Communication and work collaboratively with the existing Business Librarian to develop business research services for the Fowler College of Business and relevant departments. The successful candidate will develop and sustain additional curricular and co-curricular support services including research consultations, course-specific instruction and educational workshops, collection development, and other forward-looking library services.

We seek a creative, collaborative, and forward-looking colleague who can complement, strengthen, and expand partnerships across library departments and with colleagues across the university and San Diego community. More information about the SDSU Library is available at https://library.sdsu.edu and more information about partnership programs and opportunities is available at https://library.sdsu.edu/about-us/partners.

The SDSU Library supports, promotes, and extends the distinctive teaching, learning, scholarship, and community engagement initiatives of the university, especially as those are highlighted in the university strategic plan, “We Rise, We Defy: Transcending Borders, Transforming Lives.” Committed to service and student-centered innovation in librarianship, recent library initiatives include the establishment of the Digital Humanities Center, build IT makerspace, and partnerships around student success, including the establishment of the Latinx Resource Center. SDSU has made a strategic commitment to student success as part of California State University’s Graduation Initiative 2025, and the University Library is also home to campus-wide initiatives such as The Writing Center, Math and Statistics Learning Center, and Supplemental Instruction.

SDSU is a large, public, diverse, urban university and Hispanic-Serving Institution located on Kumeyaay land with a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. The university honors its residence on Kumeyaay land in its land acknowledgement and commitment to building a relationship with Indigenous peoples. The Library recently embarked on a new initiative to establish a Black Studies Collection and create a dedicated space for the collection. The SDSU Library has adopted a Diversity Plan (https://library.sdsu.edu/diversity/library-plan) to guide our efforts to realize an institutional commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and social justice. To meet the goals of this plan, we seek applicants with demonstrated experience in and/or commitment to teaching and working effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds and members of underrepresented groups. Individuals from historically underrepresented groups, such as minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and protected veterans are encouraged to apply. Accommodations will be provided upon request.

Candidates must satisfy two or more of the eight Building on Inclusive Excellence (BIE) criteria. Candidates that meet BIE criteria: (a) are committed to engaging in service with underrepresented populations within the discipline, (b) have demonstrated knowledge of barriers for underrepresented students and faculty within the discipline, (c) have experience or have demonstrated commitment to teaching and mentoring underrepresented students, (d) have experience or have demonstrated commitment to integrating understanding of underrepresented populations and communities into research, (e) have experience in or have demonstrated commitment to extending knowledge of opportunities and challenges in achieving artistic/scholarly success to members of an underrepresented group, (f) have experience in or have demonstrated commitment to research that engages underrepresented communities, (g) have expertise or demonstrated commitment to developing expertise in cross-cultural communication and collaboration, and/or (h) have research interests that contribute to diversity and equal opportunity in higher education.

Please indicate in a separate diversity statement how you meet at least two (2) of these criteria.

The SDSU Library Diversity Statement is available at https://library.sdsu.edu/about-us/sdsu-library-diversity-statement

Primary Duties & Responsibilities:

• Provide liaison, outreach, and support to departments in the Fowler College of Business and the School of Communication and/or departments in other colleges;
• Initiate and conduct course-related and general information literacy instruction and develop content, including course guides, subject guides, and other instructional and outreach materials in the assigned areas;
• Provide in-person and online reference services including research consultations for assigned departments at the undergraduate and graduate level, and participate in the shared reference desk (may include evening hours);
• Build, assess, and promote collections that meet the research and curricular needs of undergraduate and graduate students, and faculty;
• Engage and participate in ongoing assessment of student learning, library collections, and services;
• Commit to fostering an equitable and inclusive workplace, and an ability to work effectively with a diverse faculty, staff, and student population is essential;
• Participate in professional development activities to demonstrate a continuous and meritorious record of scholarly contributions and achievements in the profession;
• Participate in the shared governance of San Diego State University by serving on campus, library and California State University system-wide committees as needed.

Required Qualifications

• ALA-accredited master’s degree or equivalent international degree;
• Undergraduate or graduate degree in a relevant area, or equivalent experience,
• Knowledge of the current research, information sources, and scholarly communication trends in the specified areas;
• Commitment to excellent public services and improving the library user experience;
• The initiative, flexibility, and ability to work creatively and effectively both independently and as a team member;
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and presentation skills, particularly the ability to explain complex concepts to a wide variety of users in individual and group settings;
• Competence and sensitivity in working at a university in which students, faculty, and staff are broadly diverse with regard to many facets of identity, including but not limited to gender, ethnicity, nationality, sexual orientation, and religion;
• Potential for meeting the requirements for tenure and promotion based on library service, professional growth, and service to the University and community.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience as a liaison to an academic department, a program, or a community organization;
• Experience with information and data literacy instruction;
• Experience providing research assistance to a diverse population and users of all levels;
• Evidence of professional engagement at local, state, or national levels.

This is a full-time, tenure-track faculty position. Tenure is dependent upon continuing library service effectiveness, professional growth and development, and service to the library, University, and community. Anticipated salary range: $69,000 - $78,000. Excellent benefits, including medical, dental, and vision plans, retirement package, and 24 vacation days per year. For more information, see https://bfa.sdsu.edu/hr/jobs/benefits

Established in 1897, San Diego State University is part of the California State University, one of the largest and most diverse public higher education systems in the United States. With more than 36,000 students and 5,000 staff and faculty, SDSU is designated as a Doctoral / Research-Intensive University by the Carnegie Foundation. SDSU offers bachelor’s degrees in 96 areas, masters in 86, and doctorates in 24. Our campus community is diverse in many ways and we strive to build and sustain a welcoming environment for all. For more information, see https://www.sdsu.edu/.

This position will remain open until filled. Review will begin immediately, with preference given to applications received by April 19, 2022. Applicants must apply via Interfolio. Anticipated start date is July, 2022.

Candidates should submit an application, cover letter, curriculum vitae, a statement demonstrating commitment to diversity in library, museum, community, or cultural center service, and names and contact information of three (3) references.

The person holding this position is considered a “mandated reporter” under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.

As part of its commitment to a safe and equitable “OneSDSU” community, SDSU requires that individuals seeking faculty employment provide at the time of application authorization to conduct background checks if they become a finalist for the position; applications without this authorization will be considered incomplete and not considered.

A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed before any candidate can be offered a position with the CSU. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the application status of applicants or continued employment of current CSU employees who apply for the position.

SDSU is a Title IX, equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against persons on the basis of race, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and expression, marital status, age, disability, pregnancy, medical condition, or covered veteran status.

For millennia, the Kumeyaay people have been a part of this land. This land has nourished, healed, protected and embraced them for many generations in a relationship of balance and harmony. As members of the San Diego State community we acknowledge this legacy. We promote this balance and harmony. We find inspiration from this land; the land of the Kumeyaay

SDSU is a Title IX, equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against persons on the basis of race, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and expression, marital status, age, disability, pregnancy, medical condition, or covered veteran status.