Program Purpose: The purpose of the Libraries' Residency Program is to interest entry-level librarians who are members of historically underrepresented groups in professional learning and service at the University of Iowa Libraries and, ultimately, in a career in academic librarianship. The program began more than fifteen years ago and is a keystone of the Libraries’ long-standing commitment to diversity. It is designed around an assignment in a professional position that is challenging, offers a solid foundation for a career in research librarianship, and provides opportunities for professional development and mentoring.
Please visit our Recruiting Librarians website for information about working at the UI Libraries and living in the diverse community of Iowa City.
Position Description: Each participant in the program has an appointment providing reference and instructional services in the Libraries. In addition, participants learn about other departments in the Libraries, have an assignment in collection development, serve on committees in the library system, and initiate a program of professional development and contribution. Of great importance is that each resident also chooses one or more tracks providing a significant experience in an area of individual interest such as archives' processing, digital initiatives, or cataloging, or scholarly communication. Placement assistance is provided and program participants are eligible and encouraged to apply for regular professional positions that may arise in the Libraries.
Mentoring: TheHead, Reference and Instructional Services department, along with the Director, Human Resources & Diversity Programs, serve as mentors for residents. Opportunities for peer and informal mentoring are available, as well, and regular meetings are arranged with the University Librarian and appropriate Associate University Librarians.
Professional Development: Professional development is a strong component of the Residency Program. Participants are encouraged to give presentations, attend national and regional conferences, and/or write for professional publications. The Libraries provides significant financial support for attendance at conferences and professional meetings. In addition, if accepted by the institutes, residents receive support to participate in the Minnesota Institute for Early Career Librarians from Traditionally Underrepresented Groups and ACRL's Institute for Information Literacy Immersion Program (or similar program of individual professional interest).
Qualifications: A graduate degree from an ALA-accredited program in Library and Information Science; general knowledge of traditional and electronic information resources; general knowledge of information literacy and instruction principles; demonstrated commitment to diversity in the workplace or community; ability to work in a team environment; excellent written and oral communication skills; and a demonstrated interest in professional development and contribution.
Position Vacancies: One residency position is advertised each winter/spring, to be filled the following summer. Vacancy notices are posted on the UI Libraries' Employment site, and in a number of other venues.
Appointment: Residents are appointed at the rank of Librarian I for a two-year period with an entry-level salary. The University of Iowa offers an attractive package of benefits including 24 days of paid vacation per year, TIAA/CREF retirement, and a flexible selection of medical, life, and dental insurance, childcare credit, and additional options. In addition to the significant financial support provided for professional development, residents are provided with an allowance for moving expenses.
The University of Iowa Libraries: The University of Iowa library system consists of the Main Library, the Hardin Library for the Health Sciences, and 9 branch libraries (Art, Music, Business, and the sciences). With more than 4 million volumes, the Libraries ranks 31 out of 114 among the Association of Research Libraries for size of collections. InfoHawk, the Libraries' integrated online system, uses ExLibris' Aleph 500 software. The Libraries has been innovative in the development of services related to digital technologies with the creation of such units as the Information Arcade and Information Commons. The University Libraries is an active member of the Online Computer Library Center (OCLC), the Committee on Institutional Cooperation (CIC), the Center for Research Libraries (CRL), the Association of Research Libraries (ARL), the Coalition for Networked Information (CNI), and the ARL SPARC Project. The Libraries provides a program of support for professional development activities and its staff members are actively engaged in national cooperative efforts.
The University and Iowa City: A major research and teaching institution, the University of Iowa offers internationally recognized programs in a diverse array of academic, medical, and artistic disciplines, from otolaryngology to fiction writing, printmaking to space science, hydraulic engineering to dance. The University consists of a faculty of 2,000 and a permanent staff of 15,000 serving 30,000 students, close to 10,000 of whom are registered in graduate and professional degree programs. Approximately 8% of the University's workforce is minority faculty and staff, 9% of the student body are members of minority groups, and 7% are international students.
Iowa City is a community of some 63,000 people (more than 100,000 live in the surrounding area) with excellent educational, recreational, and cultural advantages. It is consistently cited in the national media as a city with an excellent quality of life. The community is growing in its diversity; within the Iowa City Community School District, 13.4% of the students are African American, 7.2% are Asian American, 6.6% are Latino, and .5% are Native American. The Latino population is increasing at a rate of .5% per year. The city is readily accessible via interstate highways and a major airport only 30 minutes away.
For more information, contact Susan Marks, Director, Human Resources & Diversity Programs.
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