Reference Librarian, Medical Branch Library

Job Summary:

Provides proactive customer-oriented information services to assigned liaison departments and the general University of Texas Medical Branch community to support the missions of research, education, patient care, and innovation. This position works both independently and collaboratively in a rapidly changing environment with growing electronic collections and an increasing base of remote users.

Responsibilities:

• Serves as liaison to departments as the primary contact and communication link for library and information related activities, including expert searching support for education, clinical, research, and innovation related activities.

• Provides advanced support for comprehensive literature searching, including evidence synthesis reviews, systematic reviews, and bibliometric analysis/research impact.
• Provides reference and research support using appropriate reference tools and online sources of information through individual or small group consultations via in person or virtual meetings, by phone, email, and interactive chat. 
  • Assists library clients in locating and using discovery tools, databases, and other online sources of information.
  • Assists library clients with answering factual questions and defining or clarifying research topics.
  • Assists library clients with information management tools.
• Participates in library education programs by developing and teaching classes, orientations, demonstrations, and tours. Instruction may be face to face or in a virtual/online environment.
• Designs, revises, and promotes instructional materials, tutorials, and research guides in both print and online formats.
• Stays abreast of, and assists in disseminating, developments in search tools/interfaces, artificial intelligence, data management, scholarly publishing, and copyright, as applicable to the UTMB audience.
• Assists in collection development by providing subject area expertise for selection and de-selection.
• Works with Library Technical Services department to troubleshoot and test electronic resources both on and off-campus.
• Maintains expertise by participating in relevant conferences, committees, workshops, and seminars.
• Establishes and maintains good working relationships and a professional environment.
• Represents the library within the UTMB and health sciences library community.
• Adheres to internal controls and reporting structure.
• Performs related duties as required.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Ability to conduct literature searches in multiple platforms and databases, including the ability to learn new search interfaces and techniques quickly.
• Demonstrated effective teaching and presentation skills.
• Ability to work strategically and collaboratively with stakeholders in a complex changing environment.
• Possess written and verbal communication skills for interaction with the library staff and clients.
• Demonstrated ability to work quickly, prioritize and manage tasks, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced, professional environment. 
• Ability to work well independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
• Ability to plan, organize, set, and accomplish goals, and be self-motivated.
• Ability to analyze / evaluate data and make appropriate recommendations.
• Knowledge of library science principles and procedures.
• Thorough knowledge of health science literature and reference tools.
• Understanding of current issues surrounding scholarly communication, open access publishing, citation management, and data management.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in Library/Information Science from ALA accredited institution and one year related experience.

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Academy of Heath Information Professionals (AHIP).