Job Opportunities

Position Description: Reference Librarian

The Reference Librarian at the Himmelfarb Health Sciences Library is an important member of the information and reference team of The George Washington University Medical Center. This position assists in the provision of information and instructional services to students, staff, and faculty of the School of Medicine and Health Sciences and the School of Public Health and Health Services, GW Hospital staff, Medical Faculty Associates clinical practice staff, and community-based clinic staff. Other duties include reference consultations, faculty Blackboard support, and membership on various library committees. This position reports to the Associate Director, Technology and Curriculum.

Duties and responsibilities include (but are not limited to) the following:

1. Provides reference and information services to patrons at the reference and instruction desk in the library.
2. Performs online database search services and research consultations as requested.
3. Participates in and designs formal and informal instruction and orientation programs for students, staff, and faculty, as well as community health patrons.
4. Participates in curricular activities for School of Medicine and Health Sciences, and School of Public Health and Health Services, including Problem-oriented, Case-based Learning (PCL).
5. Participates in the departmental Library Liaison program providing instruction and informational services to various departments (both academic and clinical) of the Medical Center.
6. Participates in the provision of educational courses, workshops and seminars for various patron groups within the library throughout the academic year.
7. Contributes to the development and evaluation of web-delivered courses and instructional materials.
8. Provides support to faculty in creating and maintaining courses in Blackboard, as well as other educational technologies.
9. Acts as a subject liaison for Internet resources database on selected health sciences topics.
10. Investigates new technologies including Web 2.0 technologies and digital video to determine possible library applications.
11. Contributes to library marketing and communication activities.
12. Participates in orientation and training activities for new reference librarians.
13. Participates in collection development activities for the reference collection.
14. Participates in community-based educational outreach activities.
15. Assists in management of student listservs and library e-mail accounts.
16. Provides research consultations to library patrons as requested.
17. Other duties as assigned.

Requirements: MLS from an ALA-accredited school or equivalent relevant Masters degree, and minimum of 2-3 years experience teaching information literacy skills and providing reference service or 2-3 years providing educational technology support in a library environment. Experience searching biomedical literature and full-text databases including MEDLINE. Experience with Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Camtasia or equivalent programs. Experience with course management software, and development of online instructional modules or tutorials. Experience and knowledge of Web 2.0 technologies. Preferred: Knowledge of Evidence-Based Medicine (EBM) and EBM resources. Experience in providing advanced information services in an academic health sciences library. Excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication skills. Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with all levels of library staff and patrons.