Faculty librarians are essential to Liberty University’s mission of Training Champions for Christ. It is expected that faculty model a personal commitment to the goals and values of Liberty University as well as support personal spiritual formation within a biblically informed Christian worldview. Librarians at the Jerry Falwell Library are full-time benefited, 12-month administrative faculty members who engage in technical, instructional, and scholarly support of faculty, staff, and students. Areas of service may vary depending on changing needs, but all positions are committed to working collaboratively and independently in team-based environments.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Oversees and manages the daily access services operations for the JFL’s Customer Service Center including circulation, reserves (physical and electronic), interlibrary loan (ILL), and document delivery.
- Hires, trains, supervises, and evaluates the Resource Sharing Librarian and Borrowing Services Supervisor positions. Ensures the department provides excellent customer service through comprehensive cross-training in circulation duties for all CSC staff.
- Develops and maintains the Beyond Books Collection.
- Works collaboratively with faculty, students, and staff to understand their access needs, develop responsive services, and communicate library policies, procedures, and service updates.
- Participates in library-wide committees, initiatives, and other duties as assigned, contributing to the overall strategic direction of the library.
- Continuously evaluates existing access services for efficiency, effectiveness, and user satisfaction, identifying opportunities for service innovation and improvement based on user feedback, best practices, and emerging technologies.
- Serves as a liaison librarian to academic department(s) as assigned which entails actively developing relationship and services such as specialized library instruction and research assistance to students and faculty members in the area. It also involves collection development to support the assigned department(s).
- Stays abreast of technological advancements in access services and explores their potential application within the library. Utilizes and troubleshoots the library's integrated library system (ILS) and other relevant technologies (e.g., ILL management software, document delivery platforms).
- Strictly adheres to Liberty University policies, representing the University in an exemplary manner.
- Works effectively as a team member, embracing and fostering LU’s Christian model and Mission – Training Champions for Christ.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
Hires, trains, supervises, and evaluates the Resource Sharing Librarian and Borrowing Services Supervisor positions.
QUALIFICATIONS AND CREDENTIALS
Education and Experience
Required:
- A Master's degree in Library and Information Science (MLIS) or equivalent from an ALA-accredited institution.
- Two or more years of experience in access services operations in an academic, public, or special library setting.
- Successful supervisory, management, and leadership experience with demonstrated commitment to mentoring, training, and staff development.
- Strong commitment to user-centered service and a proactive approach to problem-solving.
- Excellent interpersonal, communication (oral and written), and presentation skills.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
- Proficiency in using library management systems (ILS) and other relevant technologies.
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
- Ability to manage multiple tasks and prioritize effectively.
Preferred:
Experience with data collection and analysis for service assessment.
ABILITIES AND COMPETENCIES ESSENTIAL TO THE FUNCTION OF THE JOB
Communication and Comprehension
- Ability to effectively communicate both verbally and in writing to convey clear, well articulated information.
- Ability to understand, speak, and write English in order to convey messages and correspond in an articulate and professional manner.
- Possess public communication skills that allow professional representation of Liberty University.
- Strong organizational skills.
- Strong computer skills.
Problem Solving
- Intuitively able to reason, analyze information and events, and apply judgment in order to solve problems of both a routine and complex nature.
Physical and Sensory Abilities
- May be required to travel for training or professional development.
- May be required to sit to perform deskwork or type on a keyboard.
- Regularly required to hear and speak in order to effectively communicate orally.
- Regularly required to stand, walk, and climb stairs to move about the campus.
- Regularly required to handle materials, reach overhead, kneel or stoop in order to conduct business.
- Regularly lifts 50 or fewer pounds.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Work Environment
The working environment in which one will typically perform the essential functions of this position is a climate-controlled setting. It is well lighted, and the noise level is moderate. Working environment may include facilitation of events outdoors occasionally.
Driving Requirements
If the employee is required to travel in performing the duties and responsibilities of the position, the use of one’s personal vehicle (or LU vehicles) may be required for travel. Proof of a valid driver’s license, an acceptable DMV record, LU Driving Approval, and liability insurance is required when driving in the performance of the employee’s position..
Target Hire Date
2025-05-30
Time Type
Full time
Location
Lynchburg - In Office
The University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe it is our moral and legal obligation to meet the responsibility of ensuring that all management practices regarding employees are conducted in a nondiscriminatory manner. In compliance with Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, and other applicable federal and state statutes, all recruiting, hiring, training, and promoting for all job classifications will be administered without regard to race, color, ancestry, age, sex, national origin, pregnancy or childbirth, disability, military veteran status or other applicable status protected by law, including state of employment protected classes. It is, therefore, our policy and intention to evaluate all employees and prospective employees strictly according to the requirements of the job. All personnel related activities such as compensation, benefits, transfers, job classification, assignments, working conditions, educational assistance, terminations, layoffs, and return from layoffs, and all other terms, conditions and privileges of employment will be administered without regard to race, color, ancestry, age, sex, national origin, pregnancy or childbirth, disability, military veteran status or other applicable status protected by law, including all applicable state of employment protected classes. The University is a Christian religious-affiliated organization; and as such, is not subject to religious discrimination requirements. The University’s hiring practices and EEO discrimination practices are in full compliance with both federal and state law. Federal law creates an exception to the “religion” component of the employment discrimination laws for religious organizations (including educational institutions), and permits them to give employment practice preference to members of their own religious beliefs.
