Part-Time Reference Librarian

Rosemont College; Pennsylvania; On-site; USD 27,552,000 - 41,328,000; Part time

Job summary

Rosemont College in Rosemont, PA, seeks a Part-Time Reference Librarian to provide research assistance to students, faculty, and staff at the reference desk and via multiple channels.

The role includes delivering library instruction, creating research guides, and supporting information literacy across disciplines. Evening or weekend availability may be required; MLIS or progress toward degree is preferred.

Qualifications

• Strong reference and research skills across print and electronic formats.
• Proficiency with library systems, catalogs, databases, and discovery tools.
• Effective communication and instructional skills for one-on-one and group sessions.
• Commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion in a diverse academic community.
• Ability to work on-site during part-time hours, including evenings or weekends.
• MLIS or progress toward degree from an ALA-accredited program preferred.
• Experience in an academic library setting preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assist students, faculty, and staff at the reference desk in person, by phone, email, and chat.
• Collaborate with faculty and librarians to deliver library instruction sessions and create research guides.
• Promote information literacy across disciplines and support collection development.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of databases and library tools; participate in outreach and programming.
• Contribute to outreach and programming that engage students with library resources.

Skills

Reference skills

Research skills

Library systems

Discovery tools

Instructional skills

Communication

Customer service

Time management

Education

MLIS (ALA-accredited)

Progress toward MLIS

Tools

Online catalogs

Databases

Discovery tools

Job description

Company Description Rosemont College is a small, co-educational liberal arts institution located on a peaceful suburban campus in Rosemont, Pennsylvania, just eleven miles west of Philadelphia. The College offers a wide range of undergraduate academic programs, including honors, three-year, dual-degree, and collaborative options, as well as accelerated online and campus-based graduate degrees. Rosemont emphasizes intellectual growth, cultural and artistic awareness, and social responsibility, preparing students to apply their learning in real-world settings. Students benefit from extensive experiential learning opportunities such as internships, study abroad, service-learning, undergraduate research, and involvement in clubs, service organizations, and athletics. The College’s community is known for embracing diversity and individuality, providing strong support for students’ academic, athletic, and personal development.

Role Description The Part-Time Reference Librarian provides research assistance and information services to students, faculty, and staff in an on-site role located in College, PA. This position supports users at the reference desk, in person and via phone, email, and online chat, helping them locate and evaluate print and electronic resources. The Reference Librarian collaborates with faculty and librarians to deliver library instruction sessions, create research guides, and promote information literacy across disciplines. Additional responsibilities include assisting with collection development, maintaining up-to-date knowledge of library databases and tools, and contributing to outreach and programming that enhance student engagement with library resources. This is a part-time position with scheduled hours that may include evenings or weekends, depending on academic needs.

Qualifications

• Candidates should possess strong reference and research skills, including the ability to guide users in finding, evaluating, and citing information across multiple formats.
• Candidates should possess proficiency with library systems and electronic resources, such as online catalogs, databases, and discovery tools.
• Candidates should possess effective communication and instructional skills to provide one-on-one assistance and deliver group instruction or workshops.
• Candidates should possess customer service and interpersonal skills to work collaboratively with a diverse academic community and provide inclusive, respectful support.
• Candidates should possess organizational and time-management skills to manage multiple inquiries, projects, and reference duties in a busy environment.
• Master’s degree in Library and Information Science (MLIS or equivalent) from an ALA-accredited program, or significant progress toward such a degree, is preferred.
• Experience in an academic library setting, familiarity with liberal arts curricula, and a demonstrated commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion are beneficial.
• Ability to work on-site during assigned part-time hours, including possible evenings or weekends, and to adapt to new technologies and evolving library services.