Open Educational Resources (OER) Librarian
University of Central Missouri · Warrensburg, MO · On-site · Faculty (Full-time)
The primary duties of the Open Educational Resources (OER) Librarian are to provide leadership and vision in developing and executing OER initiatives to advance OER and affordable resource awareness and use across campus. The secondary position responsibilities include promoting, developing, and preserving special collections through the design and implementation of innovative library services and instruction programs. In addition, this position supports the Assistant University Librarian in coordinating and implementing the annual Children’s Literature Festival. The OER Librarian is responsible for the development and promotion of library activities and services that support the teaching, learning, and research needs of the campus community (i.e., students, faculty, and staff), including, but not limited to, the teaching of information literacy/research skills in a variety of contexts, developing professional relationships, and collaborating effectively with campus partners.
Examples of Duties
Open Educational Resources Librarian:
- Develop and execute OER initiatives to advance OER and affordable resource awareness and use across campus, including the support and assessment of OER services.
- Collaborate effectively with campus stakeholders to advance OER and affordable course content.
- Develop and implement strategies to raise faculty and student awareness of OER and promote faculty adoption and use of OER for classes.
- Support the Assistant University Librarian in coordinating subject liaison librarians' outreach and promotion to faculty for OER and affordable resources.
- Create and maintain web and print content to promote the visibility of OER initiatives.
- Identify library resources that could be used as affordable learning materials and advise library administrators on the effective design of library services to support the adoption of these materials in UCM courses.
- Create learning tools to connect students and faculty with the information they need.
- Develop, present, and promote library workshops.
- Provide reference assistance in various formats to the university community and the general public.
- Teach credit-bearing courses as available and qualifications allow.
- Provide library instruction and perform collection development as needed.
- Other duties as assigned.
Engagement:
- Maintain professional development through ongoing education, including understanding trends in academic libraries; participating in conferences, workshops, etc.; and active engagement in regional and national professional organizations.
- Contribute to the profession through continued learning, services, presentations, or professional communications.
- Participate in library committees, task forces, working groups, self-governance bodies, and other roles as expected.
- Participate in library activities, events, and initiatives.
- Active engagement in UCM activities supporting students, faculty, scholarship, and university-wide governance (e.g. faculty senate committee or administrative committee participation)
Special Collections Librarian:
- Support the Assistant University Librarian in managing JCKL’s Special Collections, including the Philip A. Sadler Research Collection of Literature for Children and Young Adults.
- Support the Assistant University Librarian in enhancing the publicity of collections with physical displays, guided tours, special showings, and social media.
- Analyze current special collections as candidate material for digitization projects and work with team members on planning and implementing digitization projects.
- Support the Assistant University Librarian in evaluating and accepting donor and publisher gifts for Special Collections.
- Provide strategic support for the Assistant University Librarian in coordinating the Children’s Literature Festival.
Typical Qualifications
- Master’s degree from an ALA-accredited program in library or information science or equivalent degree required. Completion of a second advanced degree (Master’s or PhD) in the area of subject specialty or related field from an accredited institution of higher education preferred.
Required Experience for the Position:
- Two years’ experience in an academic library or higher education environment that includes direct involvement in the development or advancement of OER initiatives.
- Demonstrated experience with and/or knowledge of practices, issues, and assessments in OER, open textbooks, open resources, open licensing, and fair use. Demonstrated experience with public speaking and developing outreach programming.
- Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of best practices, current issues, and trends in special collections related to academic libraries.
- Proven ability to deliver exceptional patron service, outreach, and engagement in an academic environment.
Preferred Experience:
- Minimum of one-year full-time equivalent academic library experience, including some combined experience in special collections.
- Minimum of one-year full-time equivalent academic library experience providing research services, instruction (online and in person), and developing online instructional tools (e.g., LibGuides, etc.).
- Experience in library outreach work, or equivalent work in the other sectors.
- Experience with building collaborative relationships and networks with faculty.
- Experience successfully pursuing funding opportunities, including grant writing to support educational/community initiatives.
- Knowledge and understanding of best practices, current issues, and trends in children’s and young adult literature.
- Knowledge of and/or experience with open education pedagogy and instructional tools.
- Experience with large event coordination and management.
