Position Description

Reference and Instruction Librarian

Classification: Professional Library Staff

Unit/Department: The Ford Library, The Fuqua School of Business

Supervisor: Ford Library Director

Overview

Working in a highly collaborative, dynamic environment as a member of the Research Services Team, provides library users with end-to-end support for teaching and research using data and online research resources. The role supports Fuqua faculty in integrating library resources into their courses, designs and delivers instructional programs for students, and creates and maintains web-based content to support teaching and learning, including course reserves.

Responsibilities

Provides research and reference services to library users

Serves as a member of the Ford Library’s Reference Team, delivering high-quality research and reference services through a shared-service model.

Examples:

• Providing reference assistance to patrons by phone, email, chat, and in person.
• Developing, scheduling, and teaching bibliographic and database instruction sessions during the academic year on topics including Bloomberg, career research, and business strategy.
• Evaluating trial databases and providing feedback to library leadership regarding user needs, usability, and cost as they relate to the Fuqua community.
• Performing additional research services as assigned, which may include leading library tours and collaborating with vendor representatives on database training sessions.

Promotes library collections and services

Works collaboratively across Ford Library and Fuqua teams to increase awareness and effective use of library resources and services.

Examples:

• Creating instructional and research support content for Fuqua courses by selecting resources from the Ford and Duke Libraries for inclusion in online web guides.
• Conducting outreach to Fuqua faculty and student groups to support the integration of library resources into teaching and learning.
• Producing the library’s monthly newsletter highlighting key resources, services, and initiatives.
• Designing and staffing library outreach initiatives such as coffee breaks, tabling events, and other engagement activities.

Provides course support for Fuqua faculty

Supports faculty and students by facilitating access to library-licensed and locally hosted course materials.

Examples:

• Generating and sharing stable links to library resources for use in course instruction.
• Creating and maintaining course pages for faculty to host links to library content.
• Ensuring student access to locally hosted content for academic use.

Required Qualifications

Education/Training

Master's degree from an ALA-accredited library or information science program.

Experience and Skills

• Minimum of two years of experience in an academic or research library environment, including reference and instruction responsibilities.
• Demonstrated knowledge of information resources and services, particularly reference services and instruction.
• Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills; strong analytical skills and problem-solving abilities; able to work independently and collaboratively.
• High proficiency with computer-based technologies and the ability to adapt to new tools and platforms.
• Demonstrated commitment to providing outstanding customer service and to ongoing professional growth and development.

Preferred Qualifications

Prior experience using business research databases in an academic business library or professional business library setting.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Duke is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion (including pregnancy and pregnancy related conditions), sexual orientation, or military status.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.