Associate / Full Professor, Youth Services, School of Library and Information Studies - 520740
The University of Alabama

Apply nowJob no: 520740
Work type: Regular Full-time (Benefits eligible)
Location: Alabama
Categories: Tenure/Tenure-Track Faculty

Department/Organization
207401 - School of Library and Info Studies

Rank
Associate/Full Professor

Position Summary
Primary duties will include teaching youth media, youth librarianship/youth services, or curation of youth materials courses at the graduate level, engaging in a research program that results in published articles in outstanding scholarly publications, and performing service as assigned by the School, College, and University.

Detailed Position Information
The University of Alabama School of Library and Information Studies (SLIS) seeks a student-focused faculty member for a full-time position to begin January 1, 2024 or August 16, 2024 at the rank of associate or full professor with tenure. This position provides an exciting opportunity for an outstanding scholar (in LIS or allied field) with an interest in youth media (print and digital), youth librarianship/youth services, or curation of youth materials to further a research and teaching agenda that will have significant impact upon LIS education and practice, and advance the mission of UA SLIS, which has a strong graduate program in youth materials and services.

Position Summary & Responsibilities:
* Maintain an established research agenda in the area of youth librarianship/youth services, emerging trends in children's and young adult media, and/or curation of youth print and digital materials
* Mentor and advise master's students as part of our ALA accredited Masters of Library and Information Studies (MLIS) degree program
* Attract, advise, and mentor doctoral students as part of the college-wide interdisciplinary PhD program
* Teach two graduate courses per semester with the option to teach during the summer. Instructional modes typically include synchronous, online distance education.
* Develop and maintain collaborative relationships across campus, within the larger LIS profession, and in other academic disciplines
* Take a leadership role in SLIS's proposed Graduate Certificate in Youth Literature and Services
* Engage in scholarly, educational, and community initiatives that promote youth literature and literacy across the University of Alabama and within the larger community, state, and region
* Participate in professional organizations at the state, national, and international levels
* All faculty members are expected to work with diverse constituencies, seek external grants/funding, and contribute to SLIS's social justice-driven curriculum

Salary & Benefits:
* Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience
* Health and Life Insurance
* TIAA-CREF available.
* Teachers' Retirement System of Alabama.

Minimum Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications:
* Earned doctorate in Library and Information Science or related field
* Research record and professional stature commensurate with the rank of associate or full professor with tenure
* Research leadership and teaching expertise in the area of youth librarianship, emerging trends in children's and young adult media, and/or curation of youth print and digital materials
* Experience teaching diverse populations and a commitment to working with nontraditional students
* Experience mentoring and advising graduate students
* Experience overseeing graduate student research
* Evidence of teaching excellence
* Evidence of professional service engagement at the national level in professional youth literature/literacy and/or LIS organizations

Preferred Qualifications
Preferred Qualifications: * Evidence of successful grant funding * Evidence of academic administrative experience * Evidence of library experience working with youth print and digital media, and/or working in youth librarianship * Evidence of successful course development for online delivery * Evidence of experience planning exhibitions, symposiums, conferences, or other events promoting youth literacy or youth print/digital materials

Instructions and Required Materials for Application
Application Process: Applicants must submit the following required materials. * A cover letter of application that addresses the applicant's teaching philosophy, instructional excellence, outlines specific courses within the MLIS curriculum that the applicant could teach, and describes their research interests and trajectory * Two Sample Publications * Curriculum Vitae * Contact information (names, e-mail addresses and phone numbers) for at least three professional references. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. Confidential inquiries about the position may be sent to Prof. Anna Embree, Search Committee Chair, at aembree@ua.edu. Special Instructions to Applicants: Prior to hiring, the final candidate must successfully pass a pre-employment background investigation and submit "official" university transcript(s) of all graduate level coursework. The University of Alabama is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and is strongly committed to diversity, valuing candidates who bring a variety of backgrounds and experiences to our community. Women and individuals from historically underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply.

About the Division/College/School
The College of Communication and Information Sciences is home to state-of-the-art media and research facilities like the Digital Media Center and the Institute for Communication and Information Research. The College's students and programs have won several regional and national awards in multiple areas ranging from forensics and debate to being named PRWeek's Most Outstanding Education Program. The College offers bachelor's degrees in advertising, communication studies, creative media, news media and public relations; master's degrees in advertising and public relations, book arts, communication studies, journalism and media studies, and library and information studies; and a multidisciplinary doctoral degree in communication and information sciences. With an award-winning faculty and staff and commitment to innovative scholarship and teaching, the College of Communication and Information Sciences is dedicated to realizing the potential of communication and information to make everyone's world a better place.

About the School of Library & Information Studies:
The School of Library and Information Studies (SLIS) is one of four academic units in the College of Communication & Information Sciences. SLIS offers an ALA-accredited master's program, an MFA degree program in the book arts, and doctoral courses that contribute to a multidisciplinary doctorate in communication and information sciences. Annually, SLIS hosts the Book Bonanza for the Black Belt and Beyond program which donates children and young adult books to low-income school libraries within the state. SLIS also houses a review collection of newly-published children's and young adult books and hosts the SLIS Crimson Review of Children's and Young Adult Literature, which publishes graduate student reviews of youth literature. Historically, SLIS has hosted children's book creators as part of conferences and university events.

About the University
The University of Alabama, part of The University of Alabama System, is the state's flagship university. UA shapes a better world through its teaching, research and service. With a global reputation for excellence, UA provides an inclusive, forward-thinking environment and nearly 200 degree programs on a beautiful, student-centered campus.

A leader in cutting-edge research, UA advances discovery, creative inquiry and knowledge through more than 30 research centers. The University of Alabama has R1: Doctoral Universities - Very High Research Activity status by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education and is among the top doctoral research universities in the United States.

As the state's largest higher education institution, UA drives economic growth in Alabama and beyond.

About Tuscaloosa
Tuscaloosa is so much more than a college town.

It's a vibrant community that's filled with legendary history. Located along the Black Warrior River, the city features a walkable downtown that's complete with live music, locally owned shops, outdoor spaces to explore and local restaurants to meet every palate. With a geography ranging from suburban to rural, the area offers a variety of housing options along with excellent public and private schools and a wealth of recreational and entertainment options.

With a metro area population of 235,000, the Druid City lies about an hour southwest of Birmingham, in west-central Alabama. It's within a few hours' drive of Gulf Coast beaches and major cities like Nashville, New Orleans and Atlanta, making it a great base for growing better acquainted with the South's finest offerings.

Background Investigation and EEO Statement
Prior to hiring, the final candidate(s) must successfully pass a pre-employment background investigation and information obtained from social media and other internet sources. A prior conviction reported as a result of the background investigation DOES NOT automatically disqualify a candidate from consideration for this position. A candidate with a prior conviction or negative behavioral red flags will receive an individualized review of the prior conviction or negative behavioral red flags before a hiring decision is made.

The University of Alabama is an Equal Employment/Equal Educational Opportunity Institution. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, genetic information, disability or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against because of their protected status. Applicants to and employees of this institution are protected under Federal law from discrimination on several bases. Follow the link below to find out more. "EEO is the Law" https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/migrated_files/employers/poster_screen_reader_optimized.pdf

Advertised: 01 Sep 2023 Central Daylight Time
Applications close: 01 Nov 2023 Central Daylight Time