Social Work Librarian
Health Sciences and Human Services Library
University of Maryland
Position Summary:
The Social Work Librarian leads the Library’s efforts to anticipate and fulfill the research,
learning, and information management needs of the School of Social Work. Work is performed
in client settings and in the library. S/he provides leadership and expertise in the areas of
evidence-based research, course development, instruction, health literacy, scholarship and
scholarly communication, and social work informatics. Guided by the University’s strategic plan,
the School’s mission, and best practices in the areas of knowledge management and health
informatics, the Social Work Librarian advances institutional and School priorities; s/he
facilitates community engagement; and pursues relevant professional and scholarly activities.
The Social Work Librarian participates in committees and projects within the Library, the School
of Social Work, and at the University level. This position reports to the Head of Research,
Education and Outreach Services.
Appointment:
This is a 12-month, permanent status-eligible faculty appointment that will be filled at the rank
of Librarian I. Librarians are expected to progress successfully along the promotion and
permanent status track and participate fully as members of the library’s faculty. For more
information see the University’s “Criteria and Procedures Relating to the Appointment,
Promotion and Permanent Status for Library Faculty”:
http://cf.umaryland.edu/umpolicies/usmpolicyInfo.cfm?polid=19&section=all
Responsibilities:
The successful candidate:
 Cultivates and sustains vital connections between the School of Social Work and the
Library.
 Delivers expert research consultations to faculty and students, emphasizing targeted
searching skills, quality evidence-based research, and critical appraisal of varied
resources, including clinical resources.
 Works with social work faculty to conduct systematic reviews; assesses the research
impact of scholarly output to inform and support promotion, tenure, and grant
applications.
 Advises faculty and students regarding scholarly communication; disseminates
University research findings to the community in translational research projects.
 Builds collaborative relationships with social work students and faculty and advocates
for their particular research, learning, and information management needs.
 Creates and leads dynamic instructional programming to support students’ professional
competency requirements in information technologies, informatics, critical appraisal,
and evidence-based practice.
 Discovers and implements innovative technologies, including social media, to advance
teaching and learning, communication, collaboration, and information management.
 Develops an understanding of the research themes important to the School.
 Designs and delivers research and information management workshops to individuals
and groups, both in person and virtually.
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Advances learning opportunities for distance students, develops tools for online
learning, and counsels users regarding copyright compliance for virtual learning.
Engages faculty, staff, and students in sustainable outreach projects with a health
information or health literacy component and initiates grant-funded collaborations with
the School of Social Work.
Collaborates on accreditation processes involving self-studies and site visits.
Participates actively in School of Social Work committees, Library committees,
University committees, and related professional organizations.
Enriches the fields of social work education and informatics through relevant,
progressive scholarship; information sharing; and meaningful networking.
Continuously evaluates new research, program development, and curricular trends
within the fields of social work and academic health sciences librarianship.
Pursues research and professional development activities appropriate to maintaining or
advancing appointment rank.
Required Qualifications:
 ALA-accredited MLS degree
 Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and a strong customer-service
orientation
 Expert searching skills in health and social sciences databases
 Demonstrated ability to deliver quality instruction online and in person
 Ability to work independently and collaboratively with diverse colleagues, students,
faculty, and researchers
 Demonstrated knowledge of library technology and social media
 Ability to travel regionally and long-distance on occasion
Preferred Qualifications:
 An undergraduate degree or comparable background in social work, the social sciences,
public health, or a related field.
 Public service experience in an academic or health sciences library environment
 Experience providing instruction to a range of audiences, including teaching faculty,
students, and clinicians
 Experience developing and delivering in-person and online courses
 Evidence of professional and scholarly activities
Salary and Benefits:
The starting salary is $48,000 and will be based upon the incumbent’s qualifications and
experience. Benefits include choice of retirement, medical, and dental plans; 22 days of annual
leave; 15 days of sick leave; 3 personal days and 14 holidays. Regular employees, their spouses
and dependent children may receive tuition remission for most programs at many campuses of
the University System of Maryland.
Applications:
Interested, qualified candidates may email or fax cover letter; CV/resume and three (3)
references including names, affiliations, and contact information to:
rgleiberman@hshsl.umaryland.edu or fax to 410-706-3101. Visit our website at
http://www.hshsl.umaryland.edu/ or call 410-706-6747 for more information. Applications
received by September 18, 2015 will receive full consideration. The University of Maryland
Baltimore is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. Minorities, women, protected
veterans, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
Environment:
The University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) campus is located in downtown Baltimore, blocks
from Orioles Park at Camden Yards, Raven's Stadium, and the Inner Harbor, a recreational
waterfront destination. Forty-five miles north of Washington DC, Baltimore City and the
surrounding metropolitan area are noted for high quality-of-life indicators offering historic
parks, great neighborhoods, and world-famous art collections, museums, theaters, and
symphony orchestras. The city has accessible public transportation systems, superior health
care systems, and renowned university and educational resources.
The HS/HSL is one of the largest health sciences libraries in the United States with a track-record
of user-centered innovative services and programs. Sixty-five FTE employees including 25
faculty librarians staff the library. Our attractive and vibrant facility, which opened in 1998,
serves as a hub for collaboration and learning with resources, programs and tools that promote
discovery, creativity and innovation. The HS/HSL has 45 group study rooms, three computer
classrooms, an Innovation Space , a presentation and production studio, an art gallery, and
multiple technology-enhanced meeting spaces. Through the HS/HSL’s website
(www.hshsl.umaryland.edu,) the UMB community has access to a full range of resources and
services. The HS/HSL also serves as the headquarters for the National Network of Libraries of
Medicine’s Southeastern/Atlantic Region.
The Library supports the 6300 students, and over 7500 faculty and staff members on UMB's 60acre research and technology complex consisting of 58 buildings including the University of
Maryland BioPark, the University of Maryland Medical Center, and the VA Hospital. UMB's
professional and graduate schools comprise a dental school, graduate school, and schools of
law, medicine, nursing, pharmacy, and social work. More details about the UMB can be found at
http://www.umaryland.edu/