Job description

Location: West Chester University, PA

Job Number: 26-72

Department: Library Services

Opening Date: 11/26/2025

Position Summary

Join a vibrant equity-minded campus whose excellence is reflected in its community, cultural engagement, and student success. West Chester University (WCU) Libraries invites applicants for a Full-time, 9-month, Tenure-Track, Discovery Service Librarian (Assistant Professor) position. The position begins in August 2026.

West Chester University (WCU), a member of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, is a public, comprehensive institution committed to offering high-quality undergraduate education, selected post-baccalaureate and graduate programs, and a variety of educational and cultural resources for its students, alumni, and citizens of southeastern Pennsylvania. The University offers more than 100 graduate and undergraduate programs in the sciences and mathematics, business and public management, arts and humanities, health sciences, education and social work, music, and interdisciplinary studies. We are a community of educators dedicated to developing graduates who succeed personally and professionally and contribute to the common good.

The mission of the University Libraries is to empower intellectual exploration through building connections, collections, and community. As an active member of the University’s academic programs, the Libraries are a major contributor to WCU’s core mission of student success. The faculty members serve as both instructors and of information literacy and stewards of library resources. Learn more about West Chester University’s Libraries.

The faculty position involves leading discovery-related initiatives, improving access to resources, and enhancing users’ experience through discovery interfaces and metadata. The ideal candidate is people-centered and thrive in collaborative environments. The incumbent is charged with serving WCU’s campus community and participating in collaborative activities across campus. The faculty member will collaborate with other university faculty and staff to ensure student success. May work some evening and weekend hours.

Responsibilities include:

• Collaborate with the Resource Services Unit and other relevant stakeholders to support the Libraries’ e-resource ecosystem, discovery, and the successful interoperability between systems.
• Organize and lead discovery and e-resource related initiatives and teams.
• Collaborate with others on interface evaluation, assessment, and usability studies to improve the user experience and access to the library collections, resources, and open access content.
• Set standards, policies, and best practices for the effective use of discovery services, tools, and metadata.
• Promote discovery, e-resources, and services through educational programming, trainings, and/or materials.
• Participate in Research Help Desk rotation for on-site and virtual reference, including some evening and weekend shifts, and offer research consultations as needed
• Support faculty and students with values grounded in diversity, equity, inclusivity, belonging, and social justice
• Serve as a subject specialist to one or more areas to be determined at the time of offer and participate in collection development and the University Libraries’ instruction program.
• Engage in scholarship and service. This is necessary for tenure and promotion process.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a Library Science program or a closely related degree from an accredited American Library Association program.
• At least 2 years of professional experience in an academic library, consortial, or research environment.
• Ability to effectively communicate in writing and verbally, and present dynamically to a variety of constituents.
• Experience with the back-end management or operations of an integrated library system and/or discovery layer.
• Ability to collaborate or develop programs with goals that work towards equity, inclusion, and belonging.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated project management skills, and strong analytical problem-solving skills; and/or
• Demonstrated experience supporting cloud-based library systems and their discovery layers such as PrimoVE; and/or
• Working knowledge or educational coursework related to library metadata and/or linked data; and/or
• Knowledge of standards and best practices for web accessibility and ADA compliance; and/or
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a collegial academic setting; and/or
• Second advanced degree or additional graduate coursework. Additional education is necessary for promotion; and/or
• Record of professional service and publication/presentations/scholarly achievement; and/or
• Experience providing reference and research services in-person and/or virtually to individuals or groups of students and faculty; and/or
• Experience teaching at an academic library.

Special Instructions

West Chester University of Pennsylvania offers highly competitive salaries and excellent benefits. Rank and Step commensurate with experience, expertise, and training. Estimated salary ranges between $71,000 and $81,000. Salary is based upon the schedule established by the APSCUF Faculty Collective Bargaining Agreement. See page 88, pay range Q02 for the Assistant Professor scale.

WCU GRADUATES WILL:

• Apply scientific reasoning and demonstrate quantitative and qualitative literacy
• Collaborate with others to solve problems and address societal needs
• Communicate effectively and participate in civic discourse
• Engage inclusively in a diverse society
• Understand the ethical implications of decisions and the world in which they live

INSTITUTIONAL GOALS:

To fulfill its mission as a public institution serving the Commonwealth, West Chester University will focus on student success and institutional improvement as measured by the degree to which WCU demonstrates:

• Access to learning
• Community and cultural engagement
• Continuous improvement
• Critical thinking
• Inclusion
• Scholarly and creative activities
• Sustainability

Given this, please select from one of the prompts below to create a service statement (no more than 1 page)

Engagement with the Campus Community

• Describe your efforts to create an inclusive and supportive campus environment for all students, faculty, and staff. How have you contributed to fostering a sense of belonging in your department or institution?

Mentorship and Student Support

• How have you worked to support and mentor students with a wide range of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives? Share specific examples of how you have helped students navigate challenges in their academic or professional journeys.

Outreach and Community Involvement

• Discuss your experiences working with community organizations, schools, or educational programs that aim to expand access to higher education. How have you helped ensure broader participation in your field?

Pedagogical and Curricular Contributions

• How have you contributed to developing curricula, programs, or initiatives that are accessible and relevant to a broad range of students? Provide examples of how you have designed or implemented courses that engage with multiple perspectives.

Professional Development and Collaboration

• Reflect on your participation in initiatives, committees, or professional development activities that aim to create a welcoming academic environment. How have you collaborated with colleagues to enhance student success and engagement?

Research and Scholarship Impact

• In what ways has your research or scholarly work contributed to increasing opportunities, perspectives, and voices in your field? Describe any projects or initiatives aimed at broadening participation, access or engagement.

All offers of employment are subject to and contingent upon satisfactory completion of all preemployment criminal background checks.

Developing and sustaining a diverse faculty and staff advances West Chester University’s educational mission. West Chester University is an Affirmative Action – Equal Opportunity Employer.

Email [email protected] for questions regarding the application process.

West Chester University is an AA/EOE employer. Women, Minorities, and Veterans are encouraged to apply.

How to apply

Apply online at https://www.schooljobs.com/careers/wcupa. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

Review of applications will begin in January 2026 and continues until the position is filled.

Applicants must successfully complete the application and interview process to be considered a finalist.

As an applicant, submit the following:

• Cover letter
• Curriculum vitae
• Unofficial graduate transcripts (official transcripts will be required later for employment.)
• List of three references with contact information (Name, email, and telephone number).
• Service Statement (see below):

West Chester University is a community of educators that develops graduates to succeed personally and professionally and contribute to the common good.