Hiring Department
University of Missouri Libraries
Job Description
MU Libraries seeks an innovative and collaborative librarian to work with the Head of the Journalism Library to provide the Columbia Missourian and other units of the School of Journalism and the Donald W. Reynolds Journalism Institute (RJI) with in-depth reference and instruction, both collaboratively and independently, for news and information gathering, investigative reporting and data visualization. In addition, this position will support long-term access to the digital assets created by all units of the School and Institute. The position reports to the Head of the Journalism Library. Entry level and experienced librarians are encouraged to apply. Description of Duties
- Serve as liaison to the newsroom editors and staff to help facilitate improved services for the eight professional media outlets associated with the School of Journalism, including the newsrooms of the Columbia Missourian, VOX Magazine, KOMU television station, KBIA radio station, Missouri Business Alert, and Missouri News Network, as well as the advertising agencies AdZou and MOJO Ad.
- Engage in consistent outreach to each affiliated media outlet through attending pitch meetings, advertising library resources, and building relationships with students, faculty and staff. Encourage increased use of library services and promote industry standards of research to elevate the status of our professional media outlets.
- In collaboration with the Head of the Journalism Library and designated staffing, provide direction and oversight for maintaining digital content for the Journalism School and the library.
- Provide assistance to the newsrooms for local and national contest entries throughout the year as well as technical expertise.
- Work closely with the Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies in the Journalism School to gather, store, and organize each semester's syllabi as part of accreditation guidelines.
- Provide premier reference and instruction services to the Journalism faculty through newsroom or classroom instruction and individual research help. Instruction may involve basic skills such as utilizing library resources or it might be advanced information on gathering and visualizing information and data for news and narratives.
- Create and maintain appropriate digital guides and online tutorials for journalism students and faculty based on course content, library resources, or interesting and relevant topical research.
- Work closely with the Head of the Journalism Library, and colleagues within the Libraries and Journalism to plan and execute a digital preservation strategy for managing the digital assets created by units of the School and Institute. This would include academic research, scholarly communication, understanding and working with digital media asset management systems, selecting, modifying and applying appropriate metadata schemas, and employing standardized media file formats for long-term access.
- Participate in collection development by recommending purchases and subscriptions to the Head of the Journalism Library.
- In coordination with the Journalism Library team, supervise staff with their assigned tasks.
- Supervise Library Information Specialist Senior, P#00007535, tasked with ingesting digital assets into a digital asset management system, assigning appropriate metadata and file formats for access by authorized users at the School and Institute, assisting with equipment check-out and answering reference questions.
- Keep current with digital preservation and digital asset management systems, metadata schemas and standardized media file formats.
- Participate in library and professional development; promote the University mission through professional activities and service on Libraries, School of Journalism, and University of Missouri committees and working groups; and engage with appropriate professional organizations.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
Master's degree from a program accredited by the American Library Association (ALA) or from a program in a country with a formal accreditation process as identified by ALA.
Candidates will also be evaluated on: * Commitment to user-centered library service
* Education, experience, and/or strong demonstrated interest in providing research support for journalism.
* Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a demanding and rapidly changing environment.
* Ability to communicate effectively, including excellent interpersonal skills as well as verbal and written skills.
* Ability to adjust priorities, take initiative, set goals, and complete projects.
* Positive, proactive approach to problem-solving.
* Experience working on research projects, individually and collaboratively.
* Experience working in an academic or special library or information related field.
* Experience in or familiarity with journalism, newsrooms, or media agencies.
* Experience with news databases (NewsBank, U.S. Newsstream, Newspaper Source, etc.) or other large searchable databases used for teaching or research.
* Interest in or demonstrated understanding of digital rights management and digital preservation relating to both text and visual assets.
* Teaching experience, including creating online resources guides and tutorials.
* Interest or experience in managing, sharing or curating quantitative research data, or direct experience supporting researchers in managing, sharing and curating their data.
* Knowledge of data services concepts, such as: data management plans, data curation, data visualization, research and data lifecycle support, open data, and data literacy.
* Knowledge of Digital Asset Management design, metadata schemas, standards, taxonomies and digital file encoding formats, workflow strategies and priorities critical in structuring, standardizing, encoding, documenting and retrieving information.
* Knowledge of programming languages, such as: Python, R, and SQL.
* Strong management skills and ability to work in a team environment.
* Willingness to take an active role in developing a new library program and promoting a new suite of library services. Master's degree from a program accredited by the American Library Association (ALA) or from a program in a country with a formal accreditation process as identified by ALA.
Candidates will also be evaluated on: * Commitment to user-centered library service
* Education, experience, and/or strong demonstrated interest in providing research support for journalism.
* Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a demanding and rapidly changing environment.
* Ability to communicate effectively, including excellent interpersonal skills as well as verbal and written skills.
* Ability to adjust priorities, take initiative, set goals, and complete projects.
* Positive, proactive approach to problem-solving.
* Experience working on research projects, individually and collaboratively.
* Experience working in an academic or special library or information related field.
* Experience in or familiarity with journalism, newsrooms, or media agencies.
* Experience with news databases (NewsBank, U.S. Newsstream, Newspaper Source, etc.) or other large searchable databases used for teaching or research.
* Interest in or demonstrated understanding of digital rights management and digital preservation relating to both text and visual assets.
* Teaching experience, including creating online resources guides and tutorials.
* Interest or experience in managing, sharing or curating quantitative research data, or direct experience supporting researchers in managing, sharing and curating their data.
* Knowledge of data services concepts, such as: data management plans, data curation, data visualization, research and data lifecycle support, open data, and data literacy.
* Knowledge of Digital Asset Management design, metadata schemas, standards, taxonomies and digital file encoding formats, workflow strategies and priorities critical in structuring, standardizing, encoding, documenting and retrieving information.
* Knowledge of programming languages, such as: Python, R, and SQL.
* Strong management skills and ability to work in a team environment.
* Willingness to take an active role in developing a new library program and promoting a new suite of library services.
Anticipated Hiring Range
Salary and librarian rank will be commensurate with experience within an expected range of $58,500-$66,000 per year. This position holds non-tenure track (NTT) faculty status. For information regarding title and rank, please review the MU Libraries' Librarian and Archivist Governance Document found at: https://libraryguides.missouri.edu/ld.php?content_id=79094147.
Application Materials
A cover letter, contact information for three references and CV must be uploaded through the brief online application.
Application Deadline
Preference for applications received by November 4, 2025. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.
Other Information
The University of Missouri (MU, Mizzou) was founded in 1839 in Columbia, MO, as the first public university west of the Mississippi River. Today, MU's 31,000+ students represent every Missouri county, all 50 states and 100 countries. As the state's largest and most comprehensive University, MU offers more than 300-degree programs, including 89 online options, through 12 colleges and schools and is one of only six public universities nationwide that has a school of medicine, veterinary medicine college, and a law school. The MU Office of Extension & Engagement extends the benefits of MU research to Missouri's citizens in all 114 counties in Missouri. Considered one of the nation's top-tier institutions, MU is the only public institution in Missouri to be a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU). The University of Missouri Libraries belong to the Association of Research Libraries (ARL), the Greater Western Library Alliance (GWLA), the Center for Research Libraries, the HathiTrust, and the statewide MOBIUS consortium. For more information on the University of Missouri and the Columbia area, please visit the following: * University of Missouri - Columbia * University of Missouri Libraries * Columbia Convention and Visitor's Bureau
Benefit Eligibility
This position is eligible for University benefits. As part of your total compensation, the University offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental and vision plans, retirement, and educational fee discounts for all four UM System campuses. For additional information on University benefits, please visit the Faculty & Staff Benefits website at https://www.umsystem.edu/totalrewards/benefits. Equal Employment Opportunity The University of Missouri is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
To request ADA accommodations, please call the Director of Accessibility and ADA at 573-884-7278.
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