Adjunct Reference and Scholarly Communication Librarian at CUNY Graduate Center

METRO | 599; New York (NY); On-site; USD 74,390 - 84,033; Part time

Job summary

The Mina Rees Library at the CUNY Graduate Center invites applications for a part-time Reference and Scholarly Communication Librarian (Non-Teaching Adjunct I or III) to work 12–15 hours weekly for Fall 2026, with Tuesday and Friday afternoons required and other hours within 9am–7pm on weekdays. All hours on-site.

Responsibilities include reference service to GC students, faculty, and staff, teaching graduate workshops, developing guides, and assisting with metadata workflows for GC-authored

Qualifications

• MLS/MLIS or closely related graduate degree from an ALA-accredited program.
• For Non-Teaching Adjunct III, a second graduate degree is required.
• Strong public-service orientation and ability to learn quickly, work independently, meet deadlines, and apply critical thinking.

Responsibilities

• Provide reference services in person, by email, phone, chat, and appointments; tailor support to research needs.
• Collaborate on identifying, reviewing, and metadata for GC-authored publications for CUNY Academic Works.

Skills

Public service orientation

Strong communication

Adaptability

Quick learner

Independent work

Education

MLS/MLIS (ALA-accredited)

Second graduate degree (Non-Teaching Adjunct III)

Tools

LibApps

WordPress

Zotero

Job description

Adjunct Reference and Scholarly Communication Librarian

The Mina Rees Library of the CUNY Graduate Center is seeking a part-time Reference and Scholarly Communication Librarian (Non-Teaching Adjunct I or III) to work approximately 12–15 hours per week for the Fall 2026 semester, with the possibility of renewal for future semesters. For the Fall 2026 semester, Tuesday and Friday afternoons will be required; other hours are flexible (within 9am–7pm on weekdays). All hours must be worked on site.

Key responsibilities for this position include:

• Provide reference services to Graduate Center students, faculty, staff, and other affiliates in a variety of modalities: in person at the reference desk, by email and phone, via chat on the LibAnswers platform, and sometimes by appointment. Tailor the depth and detail of support to patrons’ specific research needs.
• Develop a nuanced understanding of the complexities of scholarly publishing, copyright, open access, and related topics, and collaborate with the Scholarly Communication Librarian and University Liaison on a range of projects. In particular, help identify, review, collect, and assign metadata to GC-authored publications for inclusion in CUNY’s open access institutional repository, CUNY Academic Works (hosted on the Digital Commons platform).
• Teach graduate-level research workshops on library research and/or scholarly communication topics.
• Develop and/or maintain research guides and other instructional materials.
• Help develop, refine, and document workflows for providing public access to GC-authored scholarship.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Candidates must have a Master of Library Science (MLS), Master of Library and Information Studies (MLIS), or closely related graduate degree from an ALA-accredited program. For appointment at the rank of Non-Teaching Adjunct III (Assistant Professor), a second graduate degree is required.

Also required are a strong public-service orientation and expertise with a wide range of library databases, as well as the ability to learn quickly, work independently, meet deadlines, and apply critical thinking skills to library tools, systems, and problems. Strong communication skills are essential, as is comfort with a wide range of technologies (e.g., Microsoft Office, LibApps, WordPress, Zotero). Preferred qualifications include experience with graduate-level research, familiarity with CUNY, and a working knowledge of scholarly publishing, copyright, open access, and related topics.

About the CUNY Graduate Center

Located in the heart of Manhattan and set within the large and multi-campus City University of New York, the Graduate Center fosters advanced graduate education, original research and scholarship, innovative University-wide programs, and vibrant public events that draw upon and contribute to the complex communities of New York City and beyond.

Through a broad range of nationally prominent doctoral and master’s programs, the Graduate Center prepares students to be scholars, teachers, experts, and leaders in the academy; in the arts; and in the private, nonprofit, and government sectors. Committed to CUNY’s historic mission of educating the children of “the whole people,” the Graduate Center provides access to graduate education for diverse groups of highly talented students, including those who have been underrepresented in higher education.

How to Apply

Applicants should send a brief cover letter and CV by email to Jill Cirasella, Scholarly Communication Librarian and University Liaison, at [e-mail]. The position is open until filled; review of applications will begin on July 31.

The salary range is $53.76–$60.98/hour based on qualifications and experience; as members of an academic department, library faculty at the CUNY Graduate Center are represented by the Professional Staff Congress union.

The Mina Rees Library is committed to building a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment for people of all backgrounds, ages, and abilities. We encourage members of historically under-represented communities to apply, and we welcome applications from Black, Indigenous, and people of color, LGBTQIA+ people, veterans, and people with disabilities.