Humanities and Social Sciences Librarian

The University of Iowa; Iowa City (IA); Hybrid; USD 55,000 - 74,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Iowa Libraries seeks a Humanities and Social Sciences Librarian, Specialist Librarian level, to support research, teaching, and learning across globally focused departments. The role includes liaising with LLLC and Spanish/Portuguese, and contributing to international literature collections.

This position emphasizes instruction, reference services, collection development, and collaboration with faculty and programs such as the MFA in Literary Translation and the International

Qualifications

• Master’s degree from an ALA-accredited program or international equivalent.
• Minimum of two years of professional experience in an academic or research library.
• Experience providing instruction and outreach services in an academic library setting.
• Demonstrated interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills with a commitment to customer service.
• Ability to work independently and with others in a dynamic environment.
• Demonstrated interest in professional development and value to the Libraries, University, and profession.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary liaison to LLLC, Spanish and Portuguese, MFA in Literary Translation, and other programs.
• Teach Global Research: Strategies and Skills, a one-credit asynchronous online course.
• Provide instruction and outreach, building relationships with faculty, staff, and students.
• Collaborate with faculty and library colleagues to enhance teaching and scholarship.
• Coordinate library services for visiting groups, incl. UI International Writing Program Residency.
• Deliver reference services via in-person, chat, phone, and Zoom/Teams.

Skills

Instruction

Outreach

Communication

Collaboration

Independent work

Professional development

Education

ALA-accredited library program

Job description

Humanities and Social Sciences Librarian

The University of Iowa Libraries seeks to hire a Humanities and Social Sciences Librarian at the Specialist Librarian classification (PLB2/4A) to join a collaborative team supporting research, teaching, and learning across a range of globally focused departments and interdisciplinary programs. The position serves as one of the primary liaisons to the Department of Languages, Linguistics, Literatures, and Cultures (LLLC), supporting International Studies, Latin American Studies, African Studies, and South Asian Studies, and as the primary liaison to the Department of Spanish and Portuguese.

In addition, the position contributes to the Libraries' efforts to develop and support collections in international literatures, serves as liaison to the MFA in Literary Translation and assists with library initiatives related to the International Writing Program.

Key Areas of Responsibilities (KARs) and Specific Job Tasks

Instruction, Consultation, and Research Services

• Serve as the primary liaison to LLLC, Spanish and Portuguese, the MFA in Literary Translation, and other assigned interdisciplinary programs.
• Teach Global Research: Strategies and Skills, a one-credit, asynchronous online course
• Provide instruction and outreach, fostering collaborative relationships with faculty, staff, and students.
• Collaborate with library staff and relevant academic departments to enhance scholarship and teaching.
• Coordinate library services for visiting groups, including assisting with the UI International Writing Program Residency.
• Provide support to the University of Iowa Fulbright Programs
• Deliver general reference services through multiple channels (in-person, online chat, phone, and Zoom/Teams) at the Just Ask Desk and remotely. Provide specialized reference services and research consultations via email and by appointment.

Select, Acquire, Organise, Preserve, and Provide Information Resources and Services

• Build and maintain collections supporting Spanish- and Portuguese-language studies, as well as relevant programs in LLLC.
• Participate in resource review, selection, deselection, preservation, and access decisions.
• Manage collection funds supporting assigned disciplines.
• Develop, assess, maintain, and steward collections in multiple formats.
• Conduct collection analysis, assessment, and planning.
• Collaborate with faculty and library colleagues on collection priorities and resource evaluation.
• Monitor developments in scholarly publishing and information resources relevant to assigned disciplines.
• Collaborates with the Literary and Creative Arts Librarian as well as the fund manager for European Literature on the acquisition of international literature.

Leadership/Staff and Resource Management/Financial Responsibility

• Manage, analyze, and evaluate expenditures within assigned collection budgets.
• Establish and maintain productive relationships with vendors, publishers, and content providers.
• Represent the Libraries in relevant local, regional, national, and consortial initiatives.
• Participate in departmental planning, assessment, and strategic initiatives.
• Contribute to the development of policies, workflows, and services.
• Serve on library, university, and professional committees as appropriate.

Continuous Learning & Skills Development

• Engage in continuing education related to librarianship and scholarship in humanities and social sciences.
• Remain current with trends in academic librarianship, scholarly communication, digital scholarship, and disciplinary research practices.
• Pursue opportunities to develop expertise supporting evolving priorities.

Professional Contributions

• Maintain an active program of professional development and engagement.
• Contribute through service, presentations, publications, professional leadership, collaborative projects, or other scholarly and creative activities.
• Participate in professional associations, networks, and communities of practice, as relevant.
• Advance the visibility and reputation of the University of Iowa Libraries through professional engagement.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• Master’s degree from an American Libraries Association (ALA) accredited program or international equivalent.
• Minimum of two years of professional experience working in an academic or research library or equivalent.
• Experience providing instruction and outreach services in an academic library setting, including teaching, engagement, or collaborative work with faculty and campus partners.
• Demonstrated interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills with a commitment to customer service and ability to establish and maintain positive and productive working relationships.
• Ability to work independently and with others in a demanding and rapidly changing environment where flexibility, collaboration, consultation, and cooperation are essential.
• Demonstrated interest in professional development that will enhance the candidate’s value to the Libraries, the University, and the profession.

Desired Qualifications:

• Undergraduate or graduate degree in a relevant humanities discipline, such as linguistics, literature, translation studies, cultural studies, area studies, or Spanish or Portuguese.
• Demonstrated foreign language proficiency, preferably in Spanish; proficiency in other languages also accepted.
• Experience with collection development, including collection assessment and budgeting.
• Experience providing research services in an academic library setting, such as research consultations, reference support, or assisting users with identifying and evaluating information sources.
• Experience using online learning tools, such as LibGuides, tutorial creation programs, and course management software.

Application Details

Applications are only accepted through the Jobs@UIOWA website.

In order to be eligible for interview, applicants must upload the following and check the box to mark them as “relevant files” when you upload the documents:

1. Cover letter that clearly addresses how you meet each of the required and any desired qualifications of this position. To ensure strongest consideration, applicants are encouraged to review all required qualifications and state directly how they meet each of them.

2. Current resume

This job ad will be posted for a minimum of three weeks with a priority deadline of Thursday, October 22, 2026, and may be removed from posting and filled any time after that date. Please contact [e-mail] if you have any questions about the position.

The hiring salary range for this Specialist Librarian position is $55,000 - $74,000.

Successful candidates will be required to self-disclose any conviction history and will be subject to a criminal background check and credential/education verification. Up to 5 professional references will be requested at a later step in the recruitment process.

This position is not eligible for University sponsorship for employment authorization.

This position is eligible for on-campus and/or hybrid remote work within Iowa, with the majority of work time being on campus, and will require a work arrangement form to be completed upon the start of your employment. Per policy, work arrangements will be reviewed annually, and must comply with the remote work program and related policies and employee travel policy when working at a remote location.

Joining the University of Iowa means becoming a vital part of the Hawkeye community, where your work directly impacts education, research, and student success. Enjoy exceptional health coverage, university-paid life insurance, robust retirement plans, and generous leave policies. Benefit from 24/7 support services, well-being resources, and access to UI Health Care specialists. Grow professionally with advanced training, leadership development, and tuition assistance. Iowa City offers a great quality of life with world-class performances at Hancher Auditorium, Big Ten athletics, top-ranked public schools, and outdoor recreation.

Join us in making a difference at a leading Big Ten university and premier public research institution.

Additional Information

• Classification Title: Specialist Librarian
• Appointment Type: Professional and Scientific
• Schedule: Full-time
• Work Modality Options: On Campus, Hybrid within Iowa

Compensation

• Starting Salary Minimum: 55,000
• Starting Salary Maximum: 74,000

Contact Information

• Organization: Libraries

Equal opportunity employer

The University of Iowa is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment free from discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth and related conditions), disability, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, service in the U.S. military, sexual orientation, or associational preferences.

Persons with disabilities who need assistance or accommodations with the application or interview process may contact University Human Resources/Faculty and Staff Disability Services, [phone] or [e-mail] . For jobs in UI Health care, please contact UI Health care Leave & Disability Administration at 319-356-7543 .