ILR Research Librarian, Cornell University

The Catherwood Library seeks qualified candidates for the professional position of ILR Research Librarian. The successful candidate will take the lead on providing research services in the fields of workplace and labor studies including human resources, organizational behavior, international labor, labor economics, and US labor history and law. The position will be part of a new department responsible for providing research, instruction, outreach, and collection development services in the consolidated libraries serving Cornell’s ILR, Hotel Administration, and Management Schools, and will participate collaboratively in the on-going development of the department and services.

The Catherwood Library in the ILR School is the nation’s most comprehensive library for workplace issues, specializing in labor history, human resources, collective bargaining, organizational behavior, and international and comparative labor movements. In 2010, Catherwood consolidated with the Nestlé Hospitality Library and the Management Library to form a single structure serving Cornell’s specialized business and labor Schools. The consolidated structure serves 1805 undergraduates, 1314 graduate students, 143 resident faculty, and extensive distance education, executive education, and extension programs. Cornell University Library is a leading academic research library with outstanding collections, service and instructional programs, and a leader in digital library applications including digitization of its print collections and development of strategies for curation of the research output of its faculty.

Responsibilities: Reporting to the Research Coordinator, the ILR Research Librarian is responsible for: leading the provision of research services in workplace and labor studies in Catherwood Library, including providing direct research assistance; developing and maintaining an expertise in workplace and labor studies resources; developing and preparing content for handouts, subject bibliographies, and other publications in print and electronic formats; working closely with department librarians to provide instruction to classes and individuals, implement outreach programs, and contribute to the development of collections; participating in the on-going development of research, instruction, outreach, and collection development department; and establish and maintain activity in professional organizations, library and university committees, and scholarly pursuits. The successful candidate will work closely with librarians and staff throughout the consolidated structure.

Characteristics: The ILR Research Librarian is an innovative, service-focused professional who is able to approach an essential position in a new structure with an eagerness to collaborate formally and informally with other librarians, archivists, and staff. S/he works well with colleagues, drawing on and contributing to their subject and library expertise, but is also able to work independently. S/he has a strong understanding of standard and traditional library practices but also embraces the change and opportunities that new technologies bring to the field. S/he has strong analytical, interpersonal and communication skills. Most importantly, s/he understands the research process and can keep the researchers’ needs at the front of the planning and execution of their work.

Requirements: M.L.S. or equivalent graduate degree and at least two years of experience in a library public service. Subject knowledge in an applied social science field. Experience using and teaching others to use library resources, including bibliographic and full-text databases, web resources, etc. Ability to provide on-the-job training and/or guidance to others. Fluent oral and written English language skills. Strong, collaborative problem solving skills. Strong collegial, interpersonal, and written and oral communication skills. Strong service ethic and orientation.

Preferred Qualifications: Academic social science library reference and library instruction experience. Specific subject knowledge in workplace or labor studies fields (e.g. human resources, organizational behavior, international labor, labor economics, or US labor history and law). Experience with GIS applications.

Background: Cornell University is an Ivy League comprehensive research university located in Ithaca in the scenic Finger Lakes region of upstate New York. The town and university offer a unique cosmopolitan and international atmosphere in a beautiful natural setting of waterfalls, gorges, and lakes. The university comprises 14 schools with 2600 faculty members and 20,000 students enrolled in undergraduate, graduate and professional schools. The Cornell University Library is a vigorous professional organization of 468 staff with a strong track record in innovation and service quality. It consists of 20 libraries, including a nearby high-density storage facility with a capacity of 6.8 million volumes. It contains nearly 8 million printed volumes, 62,000 current serials, 378,000 networked electronic resources, and rich materials in other formats. Ranking 9th among 113 North American academic library members of the Association of Research Libraries, the Library was a recipient of the Association of College and Research Libraries’ Excellence in Academic Libraries Award in 2002.

Benefits: Comprehensive benefits package including 22 vacation days, 11 paid holidays, health insurance, life insurance, and university retirement contributions (TIAA-CREF and other options). Professional travel funding available.

Applications requested by October 1, 2011. Please include a cover letter, resume, and the names, phone numbers, and addresses for three references. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. Salary will be competitive and commensurate with experience. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.