MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES
Assistant Professor/ Reference - Humanities

The Mississippi State University Libraries seek enthusiastic, innovative, dynamic, user-oriented and technologically knowledgeable applicants for a tenure-track, Assistant Professor (Reference Department) with Humanities background. The successful applicant will be one of a seven member team responsible for the Reference and Outreach Services to the Mississippi State University community. The successful applicant will collaborate with team members to ensure the effective delivery of user services, including reference, instruction, outreach and collection management in an information and technology intensive environment. This position will report to the Coordinator of Reference and Outreach Services.

DUTIES: Ability to work as an effective, flexible, team member in a service-oriented, computer intensive environment; work scheduled hours at the reference desks, virtual reference and on Sundays rotation; provides one-on-one research consultations for undergraduates, graduate students and faculty; serves as the department’s collection development subject specialist and webliographer in the humanities; works as a team member of the department’s campus outreach initiative; serves as a library liaison/subject bibliographer for assigned teaching department(s); conducts research/creative activities in accordance with the guidelines for promotion and tenure at the MSU Libraries; participates in university and library-wide committees as appropriate and maintains a course of professional development through active participation in professional associations and/or other professional activities external to the Libraries.

REQUIRED: Master’s degree from an ALA accredited program; familiarity with computers and Windows applications; strong commitment to reference and outreach services; strong organizational skills as well as effective interpersonal, collegial and communication/presentation skills (both oral and written); able to work independently and as a team member; able to set and adjust priorities and workflow in a dynamic and changing environment and accept new challenges in order to realize departmental and library goals; maintain effective working relationships with colleagues, faculty and staff in a complex and rapidly changing environment; demonstrate a continuing commitment to professional development and growth and demonstrate potential for meeting the requirements for tenure and promotion.

DESIRABLE: Additional graduate degree in Humanities, recent reference experience in an academic research library; web authoring and development skills; experience in library instruction, distance learning and/or library outreach services and experience with chat based software.

RANK/SALARY AND BENEFITS: Assistant Professor (12 month appointment); $38,000 - $40,000 depending on qualifications and experience; excellent benefits package; faculty rank, privileges and responsibilities.

ENVIRONMENT: Located in Starkville, Mississippi; Mississippi State University is a land grant institution and the largest state supported university in Mississippi. More information about MSU and the Libraries may be found at http://library.msstate.edu/.

Send letter of application, vita and names/addresses/phone numbers/email addresses of three professional references to Ms. Debra Fairbrother, Administrative Assistant to the Dean, Mississippi State University Libraries, P.O. Box 5408, Mississippi State, MS 39762. Applications accepted until suitable applicant is found. Mississippi State University is an AA/EEO Employer.