Research and Reference Librarian I, II, III - Princeton Theological Seminary

Date postedAugust 21, 2025
Job Hotline,

Job Description:

Research and Reference Librarian I,
II, III


REPORTS
TO:                                   Assistant
Director for Research and Public Services


LIBRARY
REFERENCE HOURS:     M-F 8:30-4:30,
with occasional evenings and weekends as needed



JOB
PURPOSE:  


Serve
as the Seminary’s Research and Reference Librarian, overseeing research
instruction and reference services. Provide both in-person and virtual
reference support to the residential and online Seminary community, as well as
the broader research community. Mentor students through the research process
and engage with them to increase their information literacy. Collaborate with
the Public Services team on welcoming, assisting and serving library users. Contribute
to Wright Library’s mission of enhancing access to its collections and
expertise, supporting the teaching, learning, and research at Princeton
Seminary.




 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:


 

 


 
 

% of time


 

 

Provide Research and Reference Assistance


 

 


 
 

50%


 

 


 

 

Research and Reference Librarian
 I includes:


 

·       
 Assist
 researchers by answering patron questions


 

·       
 Promote
 the use of library collections and expertise through outreach and engagement


 

·       
 Assist
 with delivering instructional and curricular support in-person and online


 

·       
 Stay
 current with emerging instructional techniques and best practices in
 information literacy


 

·       
 Oversee
 the print reference collection, ensuring proper organization and placement
 within relevant reference sections. Curate and manage the reference
 collection (both print and online) by making informed collection development
 recommendations


 

·       
 Stay
 up to date with the latest AI trends and innovations. Showcase practical
 applications of AI in search and discovery


 

·       
 Be knowledgeable about common copyright
 issues affecting research


 

·       
 Collect,
 analyze, and report service-related statistics and metrics


 

·       
 Manage interlibrary loan requests for the
 Seminary community


 

·       
 Assist with library tours


 

 


 

Research and Reference Librarian
 II includes all
 previous tasks and the following:


 

·       
 Design
 and deliver innovative library instruction programs, including online
 instructional resources and tutorials, to support information literacy and
 effective use of library resources


 

·       
 Reach
 out to faculty prior to each semester to offer in-person and virtual
 reference services


 

·       
 Educate
 researchers on the benefits and limitations of AI within an academic setting
 and how AI may be used appropriately in research and the classroom


 

·       
 Develop
 guidance and assist researchers and staff concerning copyright issues


 

·       
 Lead
 library tours


 

 


 

Research and Reference Librarian
 III includes
 all previous tasks and the following:


 

·       
 Develop
 best practices for using AI to enhance research. Instruct researchers in
 various AI tools for analysis and discovery


 

·       
 Serve
 as a valuable scholarly communication resource for Seminary researchers by
 guiding them through the publishing cycle, including open access options,
 various publishing models, and selecting the best venues for publication


 

·       
 Develop
 a comprehensive library guide to address frequently asked copyright questions.
 Collaborate with faculty to resolve copyright-related inquiries. Provide copyright
 guidance to the Circulation Desk on setting appropriate parameters for
 scanners, course reserves, and interlibrary loans.


 

 


 
 

 


 

 


 

 

Campus Collaboration and Engagement


 

 


 
   

30%


   

 

Research and Reference Librarian
 I includes:


 

·       
 Collaborate
 with library management to recommend and implement improvements to access,
 research, and library policies and services, with a focus on user experience


 

·       
 Supervise
 and prioritize tasks for student workers at the Reference Desk (and
 Circulation Desk as needed)


 

·       
 Assist
 the Head of Circulation Services in ensuring adequate staffing at key public
 service points during library operating hours


Research and Reference Librarian
 II includes all
 previous tasks and the following:

·       
 Communicate
 with Seminary faculty regarding research support and instructional needs.
 Recommend appropriate reference services to faculty and students.

·       
 Proactively
 anticipate and develop new library services aligned with the changing
 educational needs of the Seminary community

·       
 Train
 and mentor PhD students pursuing a Library Assistantship

·       
 Collaborate
 with the Seminary’s online learning office with instruction for research
 support tools such as bibliographic citation management, Grammarly, and
 Accordance


Research and Reference Librarian
 III includes
 all previous tasks and the following:

·       
 Serve
 as the primary library liaison for PhD students, providing support for their
 research and addressing their information access needs. Oversee the
 coordination of the PhD Suite lottery for office and carrel space, as well as
 the management of PhD Suite keys.


·       
 Offer
 advanced training in research support tools available through the Library


 
 

 


 

 

Perform other duties as assigned


 

 


 
 

20%


 

 

Perform related tasks as assigned and engage in professional
 development. Contribute to committees as needed and participate in
 library-wide initiatives and institutional events. This is a permanent,
 year-round, on-site position.


 

 


 
 

 


 

 

Total


 
 

100%


 



PREFERRED
QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS:


·       
Advanced graduate degree in theological or
related studies and/or a master’s degree in library and information science
(MLIS) or its equivalent from an ALA-accredited program


·       
Strong research skills and experience in
answering reference questions


·       
Proficiency in developing instructional
resources such as research guides and tutorial videos


·       
Understanding of information literacy principles
and best practices in library instruction


·       
Ability to collaborate effectively with faculty,
researchers, and students to provide research and instructional support


·       
Strong interpersonal, oral and written communication skills


·       
Experience
working as an effective and collaborative member of a team


·       
Ability to provide clear guidance and follow
through on library policies and research services


·       
Experience supervising and mentoring
student workers


·       
Ability to anticipate and develop new library
services aligned with educational needs


·       
Strong
planning, organization and problem-solving skills


·       
A
high level of proficiency in information and media literacy, electronic
resources, library technologies, and integrated library systems


·       
Ability
to work independently, prioritize among competing projects, and sustain a high
level of attention to detail


·       
Engagement in professional development and
contributions to institutional initiatives


·       
Participation in relevant regional/national
professional organizations and forums



PHYSICAL /ENVIRONMENTAL DEMANDS:


·       
The ability to lift 30 pounds and to push and
pull book carts weighing 40 pounds, retrieve and return library materials to
shelves, and shift library materials



Applicants will be hired at the level commensurate
with their expertise/experience


Librarian
I: early career level, 0-5 years of experience. Salary $60,000-$65,000. 



Librarian
II: mid-career level with 5 years plus experience,
demonstrated expertise and competencies at the Level II responsibilities and
job qualifications. Salary $65,000-$70,000.



Librarian
III: senior librarian with substantial years of experience in
providing reference and research services, with expertise in all areas of the
posting, plus demonstrated skills in staying abreast of and competence in
emerging technologies and active in the professional field. Salary $70,000-$75,000. 


Date: August 11,
2025

Application link or email address: apply@ptsem.edu

Salary range or hourly wage: $60,000 - $75,000

MLS required: Yes, an MLS is required.

Job focus:

Administration/Management

Work schedule: 

Full-Time

 

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