We're Hiring!

Title: Assistant Professor & Collection Management Librarian, Berntsen Library
VP Area: VP for Academic Affairs
Department: Library 
Position Compensation: $55,000 - $58,000
Location: University Campus - St. Paul, Minnesota

Who We Are:
Northwestern is a faith-driven community, UNWavering in our Christ-centered principles and identity as those who profess faith in Jesus. Rooted in the unshakable foundation of God’s Word and our calling to impact His world, our mission and vision flow from these core values, expressed through Christ-centered higher education at the University of Northwestern – St. Paul and through gospel outreach and faithfulness with Northwestern Media.

Position Summary:
The Collection Management Librarian leads the development, accessibility, assessment, and stewardship of the Berntsen Library's physical and electronic collections. The position supports teaching, learning, scholarship, and student success through collection management, cataloging and metadata services, research support, information literacy instruction, and collaboration with faculty and library partners. This position is a faculty appointment subject to faculty handbook policies regarding rank, evaluation, and promotion.

Key Responsibilities:
• Lead the strategic development, assessment, and stewardship of the Library's print and electronic collections to support the University's curriculum, accreditation requirements, and academic priorities.
• Direct collection management operations, including acquisitions, licensing, budgeting, vendor partnerships, and lifecycle management of library resources.
• Provide leadership for cataloging and metadata services by developing and maintaining standards, workflows, and quality control practices that ensure accurate discovery, access, and description of library resources.
• Deliver research support and information literacy instruction that advances student learning, faculty scholarship, and the effective use of information resources and emerging technologies.
• Serve as a liaison to assigned academic programs, partnering with faculty to support curriculum development, research, collection planning, and information literacy initiatives.
• Collaborate with library colleagues, vendors, and consortia partners to enhance resource sharing, library systems, technologies, and overall service effectiveness.
• Contribute to the academic community through faculty governance, service, scholarship, professional engagement, and ongoing development in support of institutional and professional expectations.
• Perform other duties as requested or assigned.

Because our community is a significant part of our mission and the development of our students, all employees act as a minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ by actively partnering with the University to disciple students in growing intellectually and spiritually, and with Northwestern Media to lead people to Christ and nurture believers to mature in their faith.

Qualifications:
Required:
• Master’s degree in Library and Information Science (MLIS/MLS) from an ALA-accredited program or equivalent internationally recognized degree.
• Minimum of one (1) year of progressively responsible professional experience in an academic, research, or public library.
• Experience in collection development, acquisitions, cataloging, metadata management, or related library operations.
• Demonstrated knowledge of library systems, cataloging standards, electronic resources, and collection management practices.
• Experience providing research assistance, information literacy instruction, or faculty collaboration in an educational setting.
• Maintain a growing, personal relationship with Jesus Christ, reflect His character in all interactions, and faithfully uphold and embrace Northwestern’s mission, Doctrinal Statement and Declaration of Christian Community

Nice to Have:
• Second master’s degree in a relevant academic discipline.
• Minimum of two (2) years of progressively responsible professional experience in an academic or research library.
• Experience working with Ex Libris Alma and Primo or comparable library services platforms.
• Experience working with library consortia, resource sharing, or cooperative collection development.
• Experience with electronic resource licensing, assessment, or emerging technologies supporting academic libraries.

Key Skills:
• Independent & Teamwork: Capable of working both independently and collaboratively, with minimal supervision. 
• Confidentiality: Maintains discretion and handles sensitive information appropriately. 
• Organizational Skills: Strong time management and problem-solving abilities; able to prioritize and meet deadlines with attention to detail. 
• Technical Proficiency: Intermediate to advanced computer skills, including Microsoft Office and related software. 
• Written & Verbal Communication: Strong writing, editing, proofreading, and verbal communication skills. 
• Background Check: Must pass initial and ongoing background checks as a condition of employment. 

Work Environment:
The work environment involves working for a suburban, Christian university or Christian owned and operated radio station alongside those with a demonstrated commitment and personal relationship with Jesus Christ, a commitment to the mission and values of Northwestern, and an agreement to abide by all Northwestern policies.

All applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the United States as we are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa. 

Northwestern's Benefits Overview