Library - Reference Librarian PT

Sacred Heart University; Fairfield (CT); On-site; USD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, CT seeks a library professional to provide reference service to students, faculty, staff and the public, using tangible and digital resources on-site at the Ryan Matura Library and to remote users via chat, email, and other media.

The role includes evening and weekend duties, helping users locate, evaluate, and use resources in multiple formats, contributing to library policies, and supporting circulation operations and student staff.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in library science from an ALA-accredited program or progress toward it.
• Experience providing reference assistance in an academic library preferred.
• Ability to provide individualized instruction and research assistance to users with varying levels of experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide reference service to students, faculty, staff, and the public.
• Assist users in locating, evaluating, and using library resources.
• Support remote users via chat, email, and other media.
• Participate in policy discussions with the Head of Reference and other staff.
• Assist with circulation operations and training for student workers.
• Evening and weekend duties during the academic year.

Skills

Customer service

Interpersonal communication

Research assistance

Instruction & training

Independent worker

Time management

Education

Master’s degree in Library Science (MLS) or related

Tools

Academic library databases

Online resources

Digital reference tools

Job description

Posted Monday, July 27, 2026 at 4:00 AM | Expires Friday, August 28, 2026 at 3:59 AM

About Sacred Heart University

As one of the nation’s largest Catholic universities and among the fastest-growing private doctoral institutions in the U.S ., Sacred Heart University is a national leader in shaping higher education for the 21st century. SHU offers more than 100 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs on its Fairfield, Conn., campus. Sacred Heart also has a campus in Dingle, Ireland, and offers online programs. Nearly 10,000 students attend the University’s nine colleges and schools: College of Arts & Sciences; School of Communication, Media & the Arts; School of Social Work; School of Performing Arts; College of Health Professions; the Isabelle Farrington College of Education & Human Development; the Jack Welch College of Business & Technology; School of Computer Science & Engineering and the Dr. Susan L. Davis, R.N., & Richard J. Henley College of Nursing. Sacred Heart, a Laudato Si’ campus, stands out from other Catholic universities as it was established to be led by the laity. This contemporary Catholic university is rooted in the rich Catholic intellectual tradition and the liberal arts and, at the same time, cultivates students to be forward thinkers who enact change—in their own lives, professions and in their communities. The Princeton Review includes SHU in its Best 391 Colleges: 2026 Edition and Best Business Schools: 2025 Edition. Sacred Heart is home to the award-winning, NPR-affiliate station, WSHU Public Radio; a Division I athletics program and an impressive performing arts program that includes choir, band, dance and theatre. www.sacredheart.edu

Sacred Heart University complies with all federal and state employment laws and regulations. Applicants must be lawfully authorized to work for any employer in the United States. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa for this position.

Position Summary

Provides reference service to students, faculty, staff, and members of the community using tangible and digital resources and services on-site at the Ryan Matura Library, and to remote users through chat, e-mail, and other communications media.

• Provides reference service to students, faculty, staff, and the public individually or in groups tangible and digital resources and services.


• Schedule includes primarily evening and weekend duties.


• Assists library users in locating, evaluating, and using library resources and services in multiple formats.


• Participates with the Head of Reference and other professional staff in the discussion and formulation of library policies and procedures.


• Performs other duties as directed; these may include:
  
  
  
  • Assisting library staff with special project;
  
  
  • Supporting circulation operations and user engagement activities
  
  
  • Providing day-to-day guidance, training, and support to student employees.
  
  
  
  

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, & Other Attributes

• Master’s degree in library science or working towards a master’s degree in library science from an American Library Association accredited institution;


• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with a wide variety of print and electronic information resources.


• Ability to provide individualized instruction and research assistance to users with varying levels of experience.


• Strong interpersonal, communication, and customer service skills.


• Ability to work independently.


• Commitment to providing welcoming, inclusive, and user-centered library services.


• Experience providing reference assistance in an academic library preferred.

Unusual Working Conditions

Evening & weekend hours during the regular academic year

This job posting provides an overview of the role's general nature and expected tasks. It is not meant to be a comprehensive list of all duties performed. The university reserves the right to modify or reassign job responsibilities at any time. This posting description does not constitute an employment contract, either explicit or implied.

Sacred Heart University is a space that respects and embraces differences, recognizes the unique contributions that individuals can make, and creates a community that maximizes the potential of all faculty and staff. As an equal opportunity employer, we encourage applications from qualified candidates who reflect the wider world in which we live.