Tenure academic librarian positions come at a considerable expense to the academic institution. As a result, universities want to ensure their applicants are qualified and dedicated to the university of choice. Jennine Knight (2013), a librarian at the University of the West Indies, explains, “If that new talent and skill should leave the institution whether on their own volition or fail within the first 6 to 18 months, the costs expended during the employee’s short tenure are practically wasted.” Universities are looking for committed staff members who are willing to learn for themselves and eventually share their knowledge. A commitment to learning is foundational for the academic librarian. Proof of learning comes not only from experience, as every new job brings different challenges, but also coursework.
As a result of this conclusion, I started tracking job listings posted on WSU’s listserve (LISJOBS@lists.wayne.edu). I wanted to focus on academic libraries and the common skills listed; the majority of my recorded data is based on jobs within the university library. I hoped to understand exactly what academic institutions are looking for and how much of that is based on pure experience and how much could be gleaned through a graduate education. What I found was not surprising: university libraries are looking for librarians with teaching skills, instructional experience delivering workshops and providing training, experience leading library instruction services and information literacy programs, and collaboratively developing and maintaining information literacy and educational curriculum. Essentially, academic librarians are lifelong learners with a commitment to spread their wealth of knowledge.
I also discovered that most university libraries wanted librarians who were comfortable utilizing technology for information literacy. For example, postings were looking for experience using a variety of research resources including library databases and web-based tools in the provision of reference and instruction, the ability to design tutorials, guides, and other research assistance products for both in-house and distance education programs, experience of digital learning, a working knowledge of contemporary online instructional aids and trends, and evidence of ability to use technology to produce instructional materials. Raju (2014) reiterates this, and also encourages aspiring librarians to develop their comprehension of the Internet. The “Digital library applications are closely linked to Web technology,” he explains. As an increasing percentage of the library’s information is stored online, additional knowledge of the World Wide Web is also important. Raju explains:
The following technologies becomes critical: digital library architecture and software, technical and quality standards, HTML coding, general computer skills and computer literacy, database development and management, Web mark-up languages such as SGML and XML, and Web development and design. (Raju as cited in Choi and Rasmussen, 2006 and Choi and Rasmussen, 2009)
What I found most conclusive in this small-scale study was my ability to define what the “well-rounded skillset” of an academic librarian might look like. Namely, I confirmed that one of the leading roles of the academic librarian is owning the skills to provide comprehensive instruction to students, whether in-person or online through web-based tutorials. Universities are looking for individuals comfortable with and committed to learning on every level, be it for themselves or for the students through various library instruction mediums.
References
Knight, J. (2013) “Rapid on-boarding of academic librarians: good economic sense”, The Bottom Line: Managing library finances, Vol. 26 Iss: 4, pp.152 – 160.
Raju, J. (2014). “Knowledge and skills for the digital era academic library”, The Journal of academic librarianship (0099-1333), 40 (2), p. 163.
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This is some very interesting information. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised that universities want their librarians to be comfortable teaching, but the emphasis on technology is interesting. The use of distance learning and workshops to enhance patrons success is obviously becoming much more necessary as we move forward and having librarians who are skilled in teaching how to use that technology is important now and will only become more so in the future.
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When we look for any new staff person at our academic library, whether they are applying for a teaching librarian position or not, our Dean is looking for someone who is comfortable with teaching. Her other two requirements are that the individual is accepting of change and open to all forms of communication. Comfort with technology falls into those two requirements. We use technology to communicate with our patrons, with our staff and to fulfill the various requests we receive. New staff also are given two books to read and one is about change: Who Moved my Cheese? is a short, fun read but demonstrates the priority our Dean places on our staff being open to change as it is needed or happens.
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For LIS 6080, I also spent time looking at the skills and qualifications employers sought in job postings for academic librarians, especially those in instruction. This is a sector of the profession that I’m interested in learning more about, so it was really helpful to see what is needed. Like your article, I also found that there was a strong emphasis on technology and how to use it in instruction. I feel that is a good thing, but it is also a little intimidating for me because I still have a lot to learn. This semester alone, I have become aware of a variety of online applications that can be used to make videos and tutorials. I’m hoping to have more time to explore these features in my current work and on my own. In any case, I do think technology is important, especially in reaching distance learners. Now that I am one myself, I understand this even more. As you stated in your post, though, librarians need to be life long learners. Being open to trying new technology and learning about it is the first step.
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I think this was a great post to include in this blog. It shows real applications of what you all are talking about. I am not surprised that academic libraries are looking for librarians that have some desire to teach. A little anecdote, I recently sat in on an interview for a tenure faculty research position that was surprise during the phone interview process that he would be expected to teach at least one class per semester. I think this important to show that even when “faculty” is in the title of the job, some people don’t expect to be required to teach. I think in almost any position we apply for, we should be ready to teach even if it doesn’t end up being a large part of our position.
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