Assessment and User Experience (AUX) Librarian

Salem Academy and College invites applications for the Assessment and User Experience (AUX) Librarian.  The Assessment and User Experience (AUX) Librarian reports to the Library Director.

About Salem Academy and College:

Salem Academy and College is the oldest continuously operating educational institution for girls and women in the country.  Since 1772, the institution has engaged in transformational change to innovate women’s education. Founded with the mission of making education accessible to all, Salem has a rich 250-year-old history and a long-standing track record of educating students who are prepared to make a bold impact locally, nationally and globally through liberal arts education. Our graduates are committed to making the world a better, healthier and more equitable place. Salem College is the nation’s only liberal arts college exclusively dedicated to developing the next generation of health leaders.

Salem College has more than 40 full-time faculty and over 150 staff members who support approximately 500 students including full-time undergraduates, part-time students and graduate programs. Salem recently received the largest philanthropic gift in its history with a $5M anonymous donation focused on enabling our health leadership transformation as well as a $3.6M estate gift to support the College. Salem completed its 250th-anniversary campaign this year exceeding a $12.5M goal.

U.S. News & World Report 2022-2023 Rankings, ranked Salem College No. 1 among all National Liberal Arts Colleges in America as a Top Performer on Social Mobility. Our institution has rapidly moved up the national ranking for Social Mobility, from No. 10 in 2020 and No. 4 in 2021 to No. 1 in 2022.  Salem College is also ranked by U.S. News & World Report as the No. 2 National Liberal Arts College in North Carolina. Salem has been ranked among the top three National Liberal Arts Colleges in North Carolina for the past seven years. In addition, Salem College was ranked 6th in the nation for college affordability last year.

Salem College is located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, a vibrant college town known as the “City of Arts and Innovation". Winston-Salem is a lively academic community, home to six institutions of higher education and more than 26,000 students. Winston Salem has a collaborative and engaged academic community with strong private and public schools, excellent healthcare systems, and affordable housing. The Winston-Salem area also offers a rich variety of cultural opportunities and has a vibrant art and restaurant scene. Within a few hours of campus are mountains for skiing, camping, or hiking; rivers for whitewater rafting; and the beautiful ports and beaches of North and South Carolina.

Position Summary:

The Assessment and User Experience (AUX) Librarian provides direction, coordination, and support for library assessment and user experience work that measures and communicates the library’s effectiveness and value to the institution and its strategic goals. The AUX Librarian partners with faculty, staff, students, and campus units to ensure a seamless and empowering library user experience by eliminating barriers to discovering and using library resources and services. This position employs industry standard UX assessment methods and analysis and manages the library’s website to assure WCAG AA compliance. The AUX Librarian shares in liaison responsibilities, including faculty outreach, student and faculty research consultations, library instruction, and selection of library materials in assigned areas. The AUX Librarian works closely with the Collections Strategist & Discovery (CSD) Librarian, the Student Success and Instruction (SSI) Librarian, and the Library Services Coordinator (LSC) to enhance user experience and student success. Work is performed under general supervision with latitude for individual initiative and judgment. Evaluation is based upon accomplishment of defined objectives. As a member of the faculty, the AUX Librarian must demonstrate professional competence and service.  Some evening or weekend hours may be required.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: (A more detailed job description will be provided upon request.)

• Lead and organize library-wide assessment of library programs, resources, and services that includes data gathering, analysis, reporting, and recommendations.
• Develop and conduct user tests, analyses, and other research methods designed to assess user experiences and needs.
• Coordinate with relevant colleagues and groups to build a consistent user experience in the library’s online and physical spaces.
• Work with Salem’s Director of Institutional Research to effectively communicate library influence on student Recruitment, Retention, Progression, and Graduation.
• Develop and lead creative programming to enhance the library user experience and to promote student learning. This includes providing advice and support for library staff who are providing programming for specific student groups, both undergraduate and graduate.

Required Qualifications:

• Graduate degree in librarianship, information studies, or other discipline relevant to planning, developing and implementing assessment and/or usability initiatives.
• Ability to design assessment projects and analyze data to improve services and programs and to guide decision-making.
• Current knowledge of User Experience (UX) testing techniques, standards, and best practices.
• Knowledge of user-centered design principles and their application to web technologies, specifically with accessibility and universal design.
• Familiarity with assessment instruments such as surveys, focus groups, interviews, and rubrics.
• Excellent oral and written communications skills, especially when presenting data.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to form positive and productive partnerships with diverse audiences and colleagues

Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledge of data analysis and its use in libraries.
• Experience in library assessment of services, programming, and/or resources.
• Experience with data analysis, statistical, or visualization software applications (such as Excel, Tableau, SPSS, etc.).
• Experience with library instruction.

Physical Functions:

While performing the responsibilities of the AUX Librarian, the employee is required to sit for varying lengths of time; bend, reach, lift, push, and pull up to 25 pounds; occasionally stand, walk, and kneel and regularly ascend/descend stairs; use hands and fingers to handle or feel and manipulate keys on a keyboard; perform extended periods of work at a computer workstation, view a computer monitor; perceive sounds at normal speaking levels with or without correction, and receive detailed information through oral communication; express and exchange ideas by means of spoken word; and work in an office setting.

Application Process:

To apply, please send a letter of interest for the position along with a resume or curriculum vitae and three professional references to library.admin@salem.edu and hr@salem.edu. The letter of interest should specifically address the required qualifications listed and may be addressed to the “Search Committee.” The review of applications will begin immediately and will be ongoing until the position is filled with an anticipated start date of July 1, 2023. 

Salem Academy and College is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, age, religion, disability status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, pregnancy, or any other characteristic protected by law.