Data & Social Sciences Librarian

If you have any questions about the position or our application process, reach out to us at recruiting-u@smith.edu.

Summary

The Data & Social Sciences Librarian acts as a resource for the information needs of students, staff, and faculty in assigned subject areas and on issues related to quantitative and qualitative data sources, including their availability, structure, and best practices for working with large data sets.
Within Learning, Research and Technology (LRT), a blended department of librarians and academic technologists shared between the Libraries and ITS, the Data & Social Sciences Librarian will work collaboratively as part of the Teaching, Learning and Research (TLR) unit in the Libraries. All members of TLR engage with emerging trends in pedagogy and participate in the Libraries' full range of services including in-person and virtual research support, individual research consultations, instruction, and collection development.

The Data & Social Sciences Librarian takes appropriate actions to support a diverse workforce and participate in the college's efforts to create a respectful, inclusive, and welcoming work environment.

Library workers at Smith College are represented by Smith College Libraries Workers Union (SCLWU), affiliated with the Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU) Local 153. This is a represented position.

Essential Functions

Subject Librarian to the Social Sciences, 45%:

• Provides research support and outreach to faculty, students and staff to subject areas in the social sciences and across the Smith College community.
• Leads course-based library instruction and workshops for assigned departments and partners with faculty to integrate data and information literacy into the curriculum.
• Develops online learning content for the Libraries, including digital learning objects, subject and course resource pages, and other learning materials as part of a team of teaching librarians.
• In collaboration with library and campus partners, supports digital scholarship technologies and methodologies in the social sciences, promotes them to faculty and students and participates on project teams as an active partner in the creation of digital projects.
• Participates in the Libraries' service to the School of Social Work and contributes to Zotero citation management software support.

Collection Development:

• Collaborates with faculty in the social sciences and assigned departments to select and evaluate resources in a variety of formats that reflect current and developing curricular and research needs.
• Develops and maintains knowledge of scholarly communication and responds to the changing information needs of students and faculty.
• Partners with TLR and the Head of Collection Strategies to conduct collection analysis, collections use studies, and when necessary, helping with the processing of gifts.

Data Literacy, 45%

• Provides expertise across disciplines regarding the discovery, acquisition, management, manipulation, interpretation, analysis, reproducibility and visualization of data (e.g. infographics, charts, maps, and interactive media) potentially using specialty software and coding languages (e.g. R, Python, Stata, ArcGIS, QGIS); offers insight into specialized methods (e.g. statistical techniques, text/data mining, sentiment analysis, network analysis, GIS).
• With the Science Librarian and Scholarly Communications Librarian, participates in establishing shared data management practices for faculty research to comply with federal grants.

Other Functions / Additional Responsibilities, 10%:

• Serves on library and the Five College Consortium teams, committees, and working groups.
• Contributes knowledge and creativity to the library, the college, and the profession by supporting principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion, working cooperatively, participating in campus initiatives, and engaging in scholarly and professional service activities.
• Performs related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications (knowledge, skills, education, experience, certifications, licenses):

• Master's in library science, information science, equivalent degree, or combination of education and work experience.
• Knowledge of current issues and trends in pedagogy on the undergraduate and graduate level.
• Interest in developing data skills and knowledge of data resources.
• Experience working with individuals from diverse backgrounds.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Strong academic background in and/or knowledge of social science disciplines.
• Experience teaching in a library setting.
• Current knowledge about data sources including government data.
• Background in statistical methods.
• Experience with computational tools and techniques for data manipulation such as scripting languages (such as Python or JavaScript), statistical solutions (such as R, SAS, STATA, SPSS, etc.), or qualitative data tools (such as NVIVO, MAXQDA, etc.).
• Ability to present data through visual storytelling or narrative techniques and knowledge of data visualization software, such as VOSviewer, Sci2, Gephi, Tableau, etc.
• Experience working with DMPTool (or similar tools) to prepare data management plans and familiarity with data sharing policies for U.S. federally funded research and emerging best practices for compliance with funder requirements.
• Demonstrated interest in the evolving landscape of open and public data and/or data privacy/ethics.

Other:

Will include occasional nights and weekends.

Review of applications will begin

Position Type:

Located in Northampton, MA, Smith College is one of the largest women's colleges in the country and is dedicated to excellence in teaching and research across the liberal arts. A faculty of outstanding scholars interact with students in small classes, as advisors, and through student-faculty research projects. The College is a member of the Five College Consortium with Amherst, Hampshire and Mt. Holyoke Colleges, and the University of Massachusetts Amherst.Students cross-enroll and faculty cross-teach across the Five Colleges.

Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 151B, it is the policy of Smith College to provide reasonable accommodation when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with a disability, unless such accommodation would cause an undue hardship. The policy regarding requests for reasonable accommodation applies to all aspects of employment, including the application process. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact our recruiting team at recruiting-u@smith.edu.

As set forth in our mission and values, Smith College is committed to promoting a culture of equity and inclusion among students, staff and faculty. The College will not discriminate in employment on the basis of age, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, genetic information, age, veteran status, physical or mental disability, or any other classification protected by law. Smith College is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all state and federal laws that prohibit discrimination.