Open Education Librarian

Ball State University; Muncie (IN); On-site; USD 50,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid vacation days

Paid sick days

Holidays

Parental leave

Health and dental insurance

Retirement benefits

Job summary

Ball State University Libraries is seeking an Open Education Specialist to lead programs and services for creating, adapting, and adopting open educational resources. The role focuses on a high-impact open textbook grant program and leadership in scholarly communication, authors’ rights, and OA.

The candidate will collaborate with campus partners and students, and may be hired as a specialist or librarian depending on the degree.

Qualifications

• MLS/MLIS/MIS degree from an ALA-accredited program.
• Experience identifying, assessing, and/or using open educational resources.
• Experience with teaching and/or library public service.
• Effective oral and written communication skills; ability to collaborate with colleagues in an academic setting.

Responsibilities

• Lead open textbook initiatives through user-focused research and engagement with students, faculty, staff, and campus stakeholders.
• Plan, deliver, and assess open textbook initiatives and events, trainings, and outreach for library and campus colleagues.
• Provide guidance on discovery, adoption, publishing of open textbooks; serve as a contact for topics like Creative Commons licensing and open access.
• Collaborate with library colleagues and campus partners to assess platforms, metrics, and resources for OER; support authors/adapters.

Skills

Open educational resources

Collaborative work style

Communication skills

Teaching experience

Education

MLS/MLIS/MIS degree

Job description

Position Title:Open Education LibrarianCompensation:$50,000 - $52,000Department:University Libraries_CAbout this opportunity:The Ball State University Libraries seeks an Open Education Specialist to lead the University Libraries’ programs and services supporting the creation, adaptation, and adoption of open educational resources (OER), tools, and practices. Working with University Libraries’ colleagues, campus partners, faculty, and students, the successful candidate will prioritize the development of a robust, high impact open textbook grant program and provide leadership and expertise in the areas of scholarly communication, author’s rights, open access, and OER.We seek a curious and creative individual to join our growing team! We welcome early candidates who are seeking to launch a career in open education/textbook publishing and/or mid-career candidates seeking professional growth. The successful candidate can be hired as a specialist or librarian depending on the degree. Applicants are encouraged to think broadly about and communicate how their skills and experiences transfer to the position qualifications, including in ways that may not be obvious, such as how non-library-specific skills and experiences speak to the position responsibilities.What you'll do and what you'll bring:Position FunctionLead the University Libraries’ programs and services supporting the creation, adaptation, and adoption of open educational resources (OER), tools, and practices; develop a robust, high impact open textbook grant program; provide leadership and expertise in the areas of scholarly communication, author’s rights, open access, and OER; support a collaborative work environment and service culture in order to advance the strategic direction of the University Libraries.Job Duties:In coordination with the Senior Director, develop and lead the University Libraries’ open textbook initiatives through user-focused research and engagement with students, faculty, staff, and campus stakeholders; participate in a network of campus partners to help establish policies, priorities, and outreach for open access publishing and open textbook initiatives.Plan, deliver, and assess open textbook initiatives, including initiatives to encourage and support the use and development of OERs, events, publications, workshops, training opportunities, and internal outreach for library and campus colleagues.Provide education, support and guidance on the discovery, adoption, adaption, creation, and publishing of open and accessible textbooks; promote and serve as a point of contact for general scholarly communication topics such as Creative Commons licensing, author’s rights, publishing models, and open access.Collaborate with library colleagues and campus partners to assess, implement, and maintain platforms, metrics, and resources that support the creation and use of OER; identify and support the needs of OER authors/adapters.Participate in program and unit assessment; track and assess the impact of OER initiatives and activities; interpret, analyze, and evaluate procedures, processes, and program needs; make recommendations for improvements and/or changes to Senior Director.Align planning, priorities, goals, and services with the strategic initiatives of the University Libraries and the University; collaborate with campus partners and student organizations to align the open education initiatives with campus, state, and national directions in open education.Actively participate in and positively contribute to the activities of the University Libraries, university, and profession through such opportunities as related professional organizations, presentations, committee service, publication, etc.; keep abreast of professional literature and scholarly developments in areas of specialization and pursue opportunities for relevant professional development.Perform other related duties as assigned.Minimum Qualifications:MLS/MLIS/MIS degree from an ALA accredited program such as education or instructional design. Other relevant degrees will also be considered.Experience identifying, assessing, and/or using open educational resources; experience with teaching and/or library public service; academic library experienceEffective oral and written communication skills; ability to collaborate with colleagues in an academic settingPreferred Qualifications:Experience with copyright, fair use, author’s rights, publishing lifecycles, or AI-assisted toolsExperience with OER creation and/or adoption, including software and workflows for organizing and providing access to OERExperience with project management, teaching, training, publishing, or editingKnowledge of accessibility best practicesExperience with graphic designAdditional advanced degreesHow to apply:For inquiries, please contact: University Libraries, Dean's Office at 765-285-5277.Please follow upload instructions to attach all of the required supporting documents listed below: NOTE: Do not use the Autofill feature for resume:ResumeCover LetterMaster's Transcripts (optional)Applications must be received by November 22, 2026, at 12:01 AM.What we offer:At Ball State University, we understand the importance of balancing professional responsibilities with personal well-being. That's why we offer paid 24 vacation days, 12 sick days and 10 holidays a year. Plus, our paid parental leave (6 weeks) is there for life's most significant moments. We offer affordable health and dental insurance, robust long-term disability and life insurance plans, as well a range of retirement benefits to provide financial security to you and your family. These benefits ensure that you can focus on your work and personal growth without worrying about the unexpected.When you work for us, you are family. And to show our support of your family, we will cover 90 percent of your child's (or children's) undergraduate college tuition at Ball State. We do the same for you. In fact, we'll cover 100 percent of the tuition costs for you to earn your undergraduate degree and 80 percent of your graduate tuition. This offer is good from the very first day you start. It's just one way we do our part to uplift you.Let's fly together toward a secure and prosperous tomorrow.Curious about our excellent benefits package?We have developed a calculator that shows you the value of our core benefits. Select the Total Compensation Calculator - Professional and download the spreadsheet. If you are applying for a 10-month position or one with Burris or Indiana Academy, please select the corresponding calculator.Relocation Program: MakeMyMoveLooking for a place where your career, community, and quality of life can grow together? Muncie and Delaware County offer the advantages of a university community with the accessibility and affordability of a mid-sized city—short commutes, local arts and culture, parks and trails, educational opportunities, healthcare, athletics, and a strong sense of connection.Through the City of Muncie’s MakeMyMove program, eligible new residents may access relocation incentives, university-related benefits, co-working options, and community-building opportunities designed to help them get settled and connected.Current benefits for eligible participants may include:Up to $5,000 cash for relocationCo-working space courtesy of The Innovation ConnectorAccess to the Ball State University LibraryOne-semester Rec Fit pass at Ball State UniversityDiscounted Ball State Athletics ticketsHelp desk for connecting to local resourcesOpportunity for board participationSix-month YMCA membershipRelocation programs on MakeMyMove have specific eligibility requirements, and benefits may vary by program. Applicants should review the current MakeMyMove page to confirm eligibility, available benefits, and program status.Ball State’s support for relocation resources and community partnerships aligns with Destination 2040: Our Flight Path, the University’s strategic plan. The plan calls our University to work with community partners to promote talent attraction and retention, foster economic growth in East Central Indiana, and strengthen the economic and social vitality of the communities we serve.Explore the program and check your eligibility through MakeMyMove.