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 

American University Library 

American University Library serves the AU community through a collection of more than 1,700,000 print and electronic book titles and 180,000 media and sound recordings. Notable collections include a branch music library, a strong visual media collection, special collections and university archives, a K-12 curriculum materials center, and partner collections across campus including the Career Center, the Center for Language Exploration, Acquisition, and Research, and the Visual Resource Center. AU Library has affiliate collections at the Washington College of Law and at the Wesley Theological Seminary. The AU Library collection totals over 184,000 journal subscriptions in all subjects. The Library has 15 library faculty, 63 full-time staff and other professionals, and about 120 student assistants. The library's budget is about $20 million. The American University Library is an active member of the Washington Research Library Consortium (WRLC), and it holds membership in SPARC, the Patriot League Libraries Group and the University Libraries Group. American University Library is a Founding Member of the Association of College and Research Libraries Diversity Alliance.   

American University 

Chartered by Congress in 1893 and located in Washington, D.C., American University is a student-centered R-1 research institution with highly ranked schools and colleges, internationally renowned faculty, and an emphasis on creating meaningful change in the world. AU’s students distinguish themselves by their service, leadership, and ability to rethink global and domestic challenges and opportunities. The University offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs, many with an international focus, to over 11,300 students. Its proximity to centers of technology, politics, justice, world affairs, communication, science, business, and the arts in the Washington, D.C. area enhances the learning environment. Learn more about American University at www.american.edu and about the University Library at www.american.edu/library