Fast Facts

WGU is seeking a Digital Services Librarian to manage its online library, ensuring the highest contemporary library standards while supporting students, faculty, and staff with research and instructional materials.

Responsibilities: Manage the online library, ensure accreditation standards are met, develop library collection policies, support research processes, create instructional materials, and maintain library e-reserves.

Skills: Strong communication, reference and research support skills, ability to manage multiple priorities, vendor management, and electronic resource management.

Qualifications: Master's degree in library science from an ALA-accredited university, preferred experience in online education and college libraries.

Location: Salt Lake City, United States of America

Compensation: $64800 - $97200 / Annually

If you’re passionate about building a better future for individuals, communities, and our country—and you’re committed to working hard to play your part in building that future—consider WGU as the next step in your career.

Driven by a mission to expand access to higher education through online, competency-based degree programs, WGU is also committed to being a great place to work for a diverse workforce of student-focused professionals. The university has pioneered a new way to learn in the 21st century, one that has received praise from academic, industry, government, and media leaders. Whatever your role, working for WGU gives you a part to play in helping students graduate, creating a better tomorrow for themselves and their families.

The salary range for this position takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to skill sets; experience and training; licensure and certifications; and other business and organizational needs.

At WGU, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their position, and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. A reasonable estimate of the current range is:

Grade: Faculty 505Pay Range: $64,800.00 - $97,200.00

Job Description

Job Profile Summary:

A WGU Digital Services Librarian is responsible for managing all aspects of the online library and ensuring contemporary library standards are met. The individual works with vendors to procure and implement resources and services that meet student and program needs; provide reference and research support to students, faculty, and staff; and create instructional materials to support and promote library resources and information literacy.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

• Designs and maintains the online WGU library, including search systems and content, using products and platforms that meet the university’s needs efficiently within proposed library budget
• Ensures regional and national accreditation standards are met
• Creates and implements library collection development policies
• Work across university departments to determine the information needs of students, faculty, and staff
• Integrates WGU library resources directly into WGU coursework.
• Supports and trains students, faculty, and staff in the research process
• Ensures the library meets current standards of library science
• Creates library-specific instruction for use in WGU courses and on the library site
• Maintains copyright on library e-reserves and provides copyright assistance to other university departments
• Maintains reports on the usage of library collections and services

This job description includes a general representation of job requirements rather than a comprehensive inventory of all required responsibilities or work activities. The contents of this document or related job requirements may change at any time with or without notice.

Knowledge, Skill and Abilities

• Ability to work independently, conceptualize projects, and manage multiple priorities
• Ability to engage and manage outside vendors
• Ability to understand and interpret information accurately
• Ability to communicate accurately and concisely, including both written and verbal communication
• Demonstrated skill and ability in electronic resource management, library reference and instruction, and online education
• Demonstrated skill and ability in the effective use of equipment, computers, and other resources for completion of projects
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and customer service skills
• Problem Solving Skills: Investigates appropriate resources and involves partners when appropriate; future-oriented; assesses what will help/hinder achieving goals; focuses on what is important.
• Interpersonal Skills: Deals with others in a considerate, respectful, and unbiased manner; approaches conflict proactively; solicits and shares feedback openly; listens with empathy and maintains composure.
• Accuracy: Draws on factual information garnered from careful cultivation of a broad knowledge of WGU’s goals and processes; investigates beyond assumptions.
• Adaptability: Course corrects behaviors and communication style to meet the needs of a wide range of situations; tackles obstacles appropriately; is comfortable with ambiguity.
• Reliability: Accountable to others; does what it takes to get the job done; actions are consistent with words; follows through on commitments; exhibits exceptional integrity.
• Attitude: Displays commitment to the organization and to personal growth; self-motivated and able to motivate and inspire others; asserts self appropriately to champion ideas; tells the truth in a direct and constructive manner.
• Initiative: Self-directs with a strong bias for action; leads the way in improvement of performance or processes; displays keen interest in students and organization.

Competencies: 

Organizational or Student Impact:

• Accountable for decisions that impact individual students.
• Creates or facilitates learning experiences that support students ‘attainment of knowledge and skills. 
• With specific guidance from senior faculty and program leaders, acts independently in executing teaching practice.

Problem Solving & Decision Making:

• Works on diverse matters of limited complexity 
• This position receives general direction from their immediate supervisor or manager.
• Able to effectively utilize resources to address student concerns and inquiries.
• Supports student needs to help them achieve course or program outcomes at the individual student level.
• Individual follows university and department established policies and best practices.

Communication & Influence:

• Communicates with students as appropriate to support student questions and needs.
• This role communicates with fellow faculty members as appropriate within and outside of the department.
• Expected to provide feedback regarding discipline and practice leadership.

Leadership & Talent Management

• Considered a contributing and collegial team member.
• Individual adheres to learning and operational quality guidance and instructions.
• Supports initiatives within the area of specialty. 
• Displays a positive attitude toward change and supports change management practices.

Job Qualifications:

Department Specific Minimum Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in library science from an ALA-accredited university
• Knowledge of library platform and content systems and vendors

Preferred Qualifications:

• Strong experience with distance education and distance learning students is preferred.
• Terminal degree and all applicable licenses or certifications. 
• Preferred 3–5 years of professional experience in college or university libraries, with experience in online education, OR an equivalent combination of relevant education or experience is acceptable

Physical Requirements:

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.

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Position & Application Details

Full-Time Regular Positions (classified as regular and working 40 standard weekly hours): This is a full-time, regular position (classified for 40 standard weekly hours) that is eligible for bonuses; medical, dental, vision, telehealth and mental healthcare; health savings account and flexible spending account; basic and voluntary life insurance; disability coverage; accident, critical illness and hospital indemnity supplemental coverages; legal and identity theft coverage; retirement savings plan; wellbeing program; discounted WGU tuition; and flexible paid time off for rest and relaxation with no need for accrual, flexible paid sick time with no need for accrual, 11 paid holidays, and other paid leaves, including up to 12 weeks of parental leave.

How to Apply: If interested, an application will need to be submitted online. Internal WGU employees will need to apply through the internal job board in Workday.

Additional Information

Disclaimer: The job posting highlights the most critical responsibilities and requirements of the job. It’s not all-inclusive.

Accommodations: Applicants with disabilities who require assistance or accommodation during the application or interview process should contact our Talent Acquisition team at [email protected].

Equal Employment Opportunity: All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any protected characteristic as required by law.