Resident Librarian

American University Library invites early career librarians to apply for its Resident Librarian Program. Participants will be appointed at the rank of Assistant Librarian (term faculty) with a two-year contract that is potentially renewable for one additional year dependent upon funding and performance. Two positions are available. The residency is designed to provide an immersion into academic librarianship, with an emphasis on information literacy instruction and research support and including opportunities to explore other areas of interest. Funding will be provided to support professional engagement at the national level. Through the experience and mentoring acquired by participating in the Residency Librarian Program, individuals will be able to demonstrate skills at the professional level, will be able to develop a professional network, and will be prepared for future career opportunities.  

The Residency Librarian Program is part of the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) Residency Program. American University Library is one of the four founding institutions that established the Diversity Alliance member universities. The purpose of the resident program is to bring entry-level librarians into the profession, to engage them in professional experience and service at American University, to provide mentorship through their residency experience and in building their research and professional service agenda, and ultimately, to prepare them for a career in academic librarianship.  

Responsibilities 

As a member of the Research, Teaching and Learning division within AU Library, the Resident Librarians will teach information literacy classes--especially in conjunction with the Writing Studies Program--and provide generalist research and reference assistance services to a variable user population from many disciplines and backgrounds through chat and in personal research appointments. They will work with colleagues in the Research, Teaching, and Learning (RTL) Division to support the faculty and information literacy needs of the Writing Studies Program, other academic departments as requested, and research support initiatives at the University Library.  Residents will learn and integrate new technologies into the instruction process, including addressing AI literacy, and will contribute to collection development and collection assessment as requested. They will prepare LibGuides, online tutorials and other relevant reference tools in support of the university community. As faculty members, Residents will actively participate in faculty governance and service to the profession. Over the course of the academic year, some evening and weekend hours will be required. 

Requirements 

• American Library Association (ALA) accredited master’s degree awarded between December 2024 to August 2026 

• Demonstrated potential to develop expertise as a reference and instruction librarian (through coursework, pre-professional experience, etc.) 

• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively  

• Ability to work in a collaborative environment as well as independently 

• Commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion 

• Demonstrated understanding of the educational mission of a research university 

Preferred Experiences 

• Public service experience 

• Experience in a research-oriented environment 

Salary 

$55,000 - $70,000 

Learn more about American University at www.american.edu and about the University Library at www.american.edu/library