Albert R. Mann Library at Cornell University is seeking an early career Critical Pedagogy and Equity Librarian as part of a Critical Information Literacy Cluster Hire. This is a 3-year term position.
We believe that an understanding of how credible and inaccurate information is produced and disseminated informs how we should interact with and draw conclusions from it. As a New York State land-grant library, Mann’s instruction program is rooted in egalitarian ideals. We do more than teach students traditional library search skills; we aim to equip undergraduate learners with the critical skills needed to be savvy and responsible digital citizens.
As our Critical Pedagogy and Equity Librarian, your major responsibilities will include:
• Designing and teaching several guest lectures per semester. To get an idea of the kinds of lectures we teach, you can look at our team’s programmatic learning outcomes that influence our instruction efforts.
• Helping learners that seek assistance at the Library help desk to refine their research questions, locate relevant information, evaluate source credibility and/or navigate library resources.
• Developing a “student engagement plan” for Mann Library. This plan might include suggestions to revitalize learning spaces within the library, innovative workshop ideas and programming, or strategic collaborations (perhaps with Cornell’s new Center for Cultural Humility). You will have considerable latitude to try new things and explore here!
The Critical Pedagogy and Equity Librarian will collaborate with a team of information experts to integrate into our instruction program problem-based learning that interrogates the economic models and human biases of the information pipeline. While we work predominantly with undergraduate students and teaching faculty in the life sciences, agriculture and social sciences, our land-grant mission informs a desire to engage with and benefit members of all communities, at Cornell and beyond.
If this sounds exciting to you, please apply. Since this is an early career librarian position, we do not expect you to have experience with any or all just yet. We are committed to helping you cultivate this expertise on the job in a supportive team environment. May 2022 grads warmly welcomed to apply.
Required Qualifications:
• Knowledge of ways that systemic biases (such as racism, sexism, etc.) influence the information pipeline- including what information gets created, how it is disseminated, and by whom it is consumed;
• A stated interest in helping diverse learners become critical consumers of information;
• A stated interest in facilitating a just and inclusive learning environment, with general interest in critical pedagogy;
• A graduate degree, which might be in Library or Information Science, or related field. It needs to be completed before June 2022.
• Less than 3 total years spent working as a professional librarian.
Cluster hiring:
This position is part of the Critical Information Literacy Cluster Hire within Cornell University Library: A partnership initiative between Albert R. Mann Library and Olin & Uris Libraries to attract and retain a cohort of new scholars that can help advance key instruction and outreach initiatives across colleges. The Engaged Learning Librarian position at Olin & Uris Libraries is also part of this cluster. New hires will benefit from our desire to mobilize internal resources to create a meaningful and deliberate onboarding experience in which connections are fostered, time is protected for mentorship opportunities, and funds are earmarked for professional development and conference attendance. This cluster hire follows prior cohort hiring at Cornell University to facilitate Equity and Inclusion and Pathways to Social Justice.
Albert R. Mann Library:
This position will be housed at Albert R. Mann Library. Mann Library has a longstanding reputation for developing state of the art, user- focused services and spaces, and is noted for having one of the finest collections in agriculture and life sciences in the country. The library fosters a culture of innovation and collaboration that relies on a highly committed and talented staff who are responsive to the evolving needs of our users. Recent examples of innovative projects include the creation of the My Kind of Mann podcast, and a Welcome to Mann Library video. Serving the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and the College of Human Ecology at Cornell, Mann Library has embraced Cornell’s land grant mission, actively pursuing opportunities to serve the global community through special projects and programs, including the USDA Economics, Statistics and Market Information System, the Cornell University Geospatial Information Repository, and the Biodiversity Heritage Library. Through the Library’s strong information literacy program, Mann staff are frequently asked to teach on topics ranging from source evaluation to video production, and they teach internationally in support of global initiatives. Mann Library serves as a vibrant campus hub for students, faculty, and staff to meet, learn and exchange ideas. Our tagline says it all, “Mann Library, where minds and friends meet.”
Although this position is housed at Mann Library, the person in this position will frequently work, collaborate and learn aside colleagues from many other unit libraries on campus too. The University Library is comprised of 15 unit libraries, each with a unique area of focus. One of the leading academic research libraries in the United States, Cornell University Library is a highly valued partner in teaching, research, and learning at the university. Its world-class collections, expert librarians, and responsive services in physical and virtual library spaces inspire and nourish scholarship and learning.
Environment:
The Ithaca campus sits on 2,300 acres in the heart of the Finger Lakes region. Ithaca, located roughly halfway between Manhattan and Toronto, offers a wealth of cultural activities while maintaining an eclectic college-town feel. Outdoor enthusiasts can take advantage of rolling hills, breathtaking gorges, hiking trails, and lakes offering countless outdoor activities. The city has been named one of the top 100 places to live, a top 10 recreation city, a best green place to live, and one of the “foodiest” towns in America.
Cornell University is located on the traditional homelands of the Gayogo̱hó꞉nǫ’ (the Cayuga Nation). The Gayogo̱hó꞉nǫ’ are members of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, an alliance of six sovereign Nations with a historic and contemporary presence on this land. The Confederacy precedes the establishment of Cornell University, New York state, and the United States of America. We acknowledge the painful history of Gayogo̱hó꞉nǫ’ dispossession, and honor the ongoing connection of Gayogo̱hó꞉nǫ’ people, past and present, to these lands and waters. Learn more about its land acknowledgment.
Diversity and Inclusion:
Cornell Library embraces diversity and inclusion and seeks candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports and reflects our community of students, faculty and staff of all identities and backgrounds. We believe in the power of representation and strongly encourage individuals from historically and habitually marginalized and disadvantaged communities to apply.
Cornell University Library is a member of the ACRL Diversity Alliance, which unites academic libraries who are committed to increasing the hiring pipeline of qualified and talented individuals from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups.
Benefits:
Cornell University takes pride in offering generous benefits to support and enhance the health, wealth, and wellness of our employees. More information regarding Cornell’s generous benefits can be found at https://hr.cornell.edu/jobs/
• Appointment rank and salary range: The anticipated academic rank for this position is Assistant Librarian, with an anticipated salary range of $52,500-$55,000.
Relocation assistance may be provided.
Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.
The safety and well-being of applicants and our team members is of the utmost importance. Because of campus closures and the likelihood of ongoing travel restrictions due to the COVID-19 outbreak, we may conduct virtual interviews with qualified candidates.
This position is located in Ithaca, New York. The successful applicant will be expected to work on the Ithaca campus, however relocation transition time may be available to allow remote work at a location of their choice in the United States, for a limited time.
The New York Convenience of employer guidelines require New York State individual tax reporting and withholdings for this position. Additional individual state income tax filings may also be required if working outside New York State.
How to Apply:
All candidates must apply online via the Cornell Careers site. See WDR-00030325. We ask that you include the following information in your application:
1. A cover letter that addresses your interest and why you are a good candidate for this position. If you would like to apply to both positions in this cluster hire, you may write one letter that speaks to your interest in both positions. Please be sure that the letter accompanies both applications!
2. A Curriculum Vitae that outlines your skills, education, or experiences relevant to the position(s).
3. A Statement of “Contribution to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion,” which may be incorporated into the cover letter OR presented as a separate statement. Candidates should describe past, present, and/or future aspirations for promoting equity, inclusion, and diversity in their careers as researchers and educators, and/or to convey how they see these commitments continuing at Cornell. Such articulation may focus on teaching, research, or service, or all three factors.
Incoming applications will be reviewed until a viable pool of applicants is identified; submission prior to April 8, 2022 is strongly encouraged. Although we prefer to receive your application as one, multi-page pdf document, we will accept multiple documents in other formats.
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If you require an accommodation for a disability in order to complete an employment application or to participate in the recruiting process, you are encouraged to contact Cornell University’s Office of Institutional Equity and Title IX at voice (607) 255-2242, or email at equity@cornell.edu.
For general questions about the position or the application process, please contact the Recruiter listed in the job posting.
Applicants that do not have internet access are encouraged to visit your local library, or local Department of Labor. You may also visit the office of Workforce Recruitment and Retention Monday – Friday between the hours of 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. to use a dedicated workstation to complete an online application.
Notice to Applicants: Please read the required Notice to Applicants statement by clicking here: https://hr.cornell.edu/
EEO Statement: Diversity and Inclusion are a part of our heritage. We are a recognized employer and educator valuing AA/EEO, Protected Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations.