The Opportunity:
The Library and Learning Commons Department at Zayed University seeks an
experienced, innovative, and collaborative Learning Resources Librarian to
join the team. The Learning Resources Librarian provides leadership in
developing learning resources that enhance language, literacy, technology, and
learning skills for students in today's ever-changing higher education
learning environment. The Learning Resources Librarian advises and leads the
resource development to facilitate and enhance eLearning and blended learning.
Learning Resources Librarian, as a professional academic librarian, engages in
all aspects of library services that support university teaching and learning
activities, such as information literacy instructions, collection development,
liaison assignments, and reference services. Zayed University is in the phase
of transformation therefore assignments and duties might evolve as needed.
Critical Success Factors:
- Strong organizational and leadership skills to supervise, guide, and work with staff and library faculty to build a successful team
- Demonstrated ability to initiate, develop, prioritize, and manage projects and/or services
- Must be able to communicate effectively with university faculty, staff, students, administrators, and external community stakeholders
- Experience and broader vision of best practices in developing learning resources, particularly in the eLearning and blended learning environment, and providing user-centered services in all aspects
- Aptitude for technology; willingness to learn new systems and integrate to enhance resources, services, and workflow
- Flexibility in adapting to and thriving in a constantly changing environment
- Excellent written and verbal communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills
- Ability to work with others in a pleasant and open manner
The Responsibility:
Learning Resources:
Provides leadership and coordination in the development, management,
assessment,
communication and outreach of the learning resources in Curriculum Resources
Center and Learning Commons, as well as learning resources that support
eLearning and blended learning. This includes but is not limited to:
- Keeps current with trends and developments in educational technology applications and tools that support and enhance learning
- Uses various softwares and programs (e.g. Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Adobe, etc.) to develop high-quality and interactive learning objects for online and blended learning
- Develops programs benefiting STEAM disciplines to expand the Library's Learning Commons
- Oversees the development of the library's maker/STEAM spaces, STEAM-related programming and outreach online and on-campus
- Promotes the Learning Commons programming and activities to the campus and larger community
- Engages in collaborative initiative and program planning with colleagues across the Libraries, campus, and community
- Brainstorms, explores, plans, implements, and supports interactive learning programming online and on-campus
- Cultivates a consciously welcoming and accessible environment for students and other users with a diverse range of needs and abilities; ensures appropriate signage, policies, equipment, communication, and feedback mechanisms to facilitate accommodations on an individualized basis
Curriculum Resources Center:
- Ensures CRC collections and activities are in line with the university curriculum and program development directions
- Coordinates resources and staff in the CRC and oversees day to day tasks and supervises CRC Technicians on both campuses
- Manages the CRC resource and materials budget, including creating annual budget proposal
- Coordinates the development and management of a print, electronic and multi-media collection of curriculum, pedagogy and education learning materials for the CRC
- Promotes awareness of the CRC materials and services across the university community and to the broader education community in UAE
- Informs faculty regularly on the availability and use of resources in the CRC/Library, in particular those related to curriculum and pedagogy
Other tasks and responsibilities:
- Serves as liaison librarian to assigned academic programs for the provision of information and instructional services, collection management, subject guides, and engagement with faculty, staff, and students promoting library resources and services
- Contributes towards course reviews in relation to the availability of course-related resources
- Provides reference service to faculty, students and staff and serves on the Library Reference Desk and rotates to cover extended hours
- Trains and works closely with reference technicians in performing reference duties
- Collaborates with faculty on their research and participates in facilitating workshops for faculty on library resources available to support their teaching and research
- Fosters and contributes to an environment of collegiality, respect, trust, and teamwork to positively contribute to the goals of the university
- As an academic faculty position, active participation and engagement in scholarship, teaching and service is required
- Serves on relevant library teams, councils and university committees
- Actively participates and demonstrates commitment in professional responsibilities that serve the Library, University, profession, and community
- Performs related duties and responsibilities as required
The Requirements:
- Master's degree in Library and Information Studies (MLIS) from an ALA-accredited institution or equivalent
- Minimum 4 years of demonstrated experience as an academic librarian with a wide range of knowledge and skills in key areas such as collection development, information literacy instructions, reference services, and curriculum support
- Demonstrated competence in using current technologies and best practices in the creative design and delivery of instruction
- Experience with and enthusiasm for STEAM education/outreach
- Experience with hands-on education, project-based learning, or prototyping
- Ability to learn new educational technologies, processes, and tools
- Evidence of effective project planning and management
- Evidence of effectiveness in teaching
- Professional academic reference experience
- Experience in marketing, outreach, and the promotion of library and the library collections
- Knowledge of copyright issues in the digital realm
- Must be well organized, and able to meet deadlines and multiple demands
- Demonstrated ability to communicate, both orally and in writing, to a variety of audiences
- Must be results-oriented, flexible, self-motivated, and have an enthusiasm for teaching and technology, and an ability to collaborate with colleagues in a goal-oriented library team
- Experience in creating and maintaining documentation of policy and procedures
- Demonstrated history of flexibility, creativity and a strong customer service commitment;
- Willingness to travel between Abu Dhabi and Dubai
- Must show promise of advancing the mission of the University through scholarly or creative achievements
- Knowledge and experience with one or more of the following: rapid prototyping (Arduino, Raspberry Pi, Makey Makey), art and craft projects, electronics tinkering and creative technology (computer programming for creative applications, interactive media, robotics & design projects) is highly desirable
- Experience working in a multi-cultural environment is an added advantage
- Arabic language fluency is strongly desired