Upcycle Plastic Bag Mat-Making Workshop for Earth Week

Join us in celebrating Earth Week by upcycling plastic shopping bags into useful sleeping mats! We’ll be hosting a workshop with retired community library director, Leah Rudolph, who will teach us how to create sleeping mats for unhoused individuals. We will cut plastic bags into strips, create plastic yarn known as “plarn,” and crochet the plarn into mats. Any completed mats will be donated to Keystone Mission. No former knowledge of crocheting is necessary to attend. You can drop in for a portion of the workshop or stay the whole time.

The workshop is Friday, April 21 2pm-5pm, in room 202 of the Library.

You can watch this video to learn more about plastic bag mat-making.

This event is made possible with support from the Office of Community Based Learning.

Job Opportunity: Research & Instruction Librarian for Student Success(full-time faculty, 12-month, tenure-track), Weinberg Memorial Library at The University of Scranton

The University of Scranton invites applications for a full-time, 12-month, tenure-track Research & Instruction Librarian for Student Success. The successful candidate will be appointed to the rank of Assistant Professor and will be compensated according to the Faculty collective bargaining agreement, see Article 5 (p. 2):https://www.scranton.edu/academics/provost/FAC/contract/fac-con_2022-2025.pdf. A generous benefits package is offered, including medical, dental, and vision coverage, retirement plan, paid vacations, holidays, research leave, and tuition remission. All full-time faculty members also have the opportunity to join our faculty union which serves as the local chapter of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP).

Job Purpose: The Research & Instruction Librarian for Student Success contributes to the Library’s campus-wide focus on transformative teaching and learning in the Ignatian tradition. In addition to regular faculty responsibilities, the Research & Instruction Librarian for Student Success engages in information literacy instruction and research support focusing on student learning and success for first-year and first-generation college students. The position will have subsidiary responsibilities to the natural sciences and cognate disciplines, including minor collection development responsibilities, some information literacy instruction, and research support.

Essential Duties:

  • Teaches as part of the Library’s Information Literacy Program focusing on first-year and core general education courses.
  • Teaches information literacy and supports student research for natural sciences courses as needed.
  • Provides research services and scholarly assistance to members of the University community both in-person and online.
  • Serves as subject liaison to academic departments supporting the natural sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Engineering, Environmental Science), a role that includes providing course-integrated information literacy instruction and collection development. May be assigned to additional departments as dictated by department needs.
  • Collaborates with campus programs, groups, and units that support student learning in general education coursework, such as the First-Year Writing Program, First Year Seminars, Thr1ve Program for first-generation students, Student Life programming, and the Gonzaga Program.

Additional Responsibilities:

  • Participates in Library and University initiatives, e.g., by serving on committees, etc.
  • Provides the responsible provision of Library services and building operations in coordination with other Library faculty and administration.
  • Performs other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Education Requirements: Possession of an American Library Association (ALA) accredited Master’s degree at the time of appointment.

Minimum Job Experience Requirements:

  • Experience working in a library or archives.
  • Experience working collaboratively with others to pursue, manage, and complete projects.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Familiarity with foundational undergraduate coursework including writing, reading, digital technology, and communication.
  • Knowledge of current trends in academic librarianship related to research and instruction, such as knowledge of the ACRL Framework for Information Literacy for Higher Education.
  • Experience creating engaging learning opportunities for student, faculty, or community audiences.
  • Proficiency in the use of technology, such as social media and other emerging technologies and platforms, for the delivery of library services.
  • Strong desire to explore pedagogical approaches and learning theories that can enrich teaching practice.
  • Familiarity with assessment methods and techniques.
  • Coursework or experience in instructional design.

Additional Skills Required:

  • Willingness to develop the knowledge required to provide information literacy instruction for student success in general education coursework and the natural sciences
  • Ability to deal well with members of the public
  • Excellent interpersonal skills, oral and written communication skills, and presentation skills
  • Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills
  • Ability to work effectively both as a team member and independently
  • Ability to work creatively and collaboratively with students, faculty, staff, and community-at-large
  • Professional commitment to user-focused library services
  • Professional commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion
  • Ability to engage in scholarship and service in order to meet qualifications for reappointment and tenure, as defined in the Faculty Handbook
  • Ability to attain a second Master’s degree in a subject field, or the completion of thirty graduate credits in a discipline that improves professional competence, as a requirement for tenure (if not already accomplished at the time of hire)

Schedule/Work Hours: Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., with occasional adjustments as needed.

About the Library and University

The Weinberg Memorial Library provides resources, services, and programs that meet the dynamic and diverse scholarly, cultural, and social needs of the University and our community. We value teaching, research, and lifelong learning, and we are committed to intellectual freedom, preservation, accessibility, and sustainability. Our work environment is forward-looking and participatory, with an emphasis on transparency and faculty/staff development.

The University of Scranton is a regional institution of more than 6,000 undergraduate and graduate students located in northeast Pennsylvania near the Pocono Mountains. Recognized nationally for the quality of its education, Scranton is one of the 28 Jesuit colleges and universities in the United States. It is committed to providing liberal arts education and strong professional and pre-professional programs in the context of Ignatian educational principles, especially the care and development of the whole person. Drawing on the strengths that have made it a recognized leader in the Northeast (ranked 6th among the master’s level universities in the North by U.S. News and World Report), Scranton is committed to a culture of scholarship and excellence in teaching and is moving into the front ranks of America’s comprehensive universities.

The University is a Catholic and Jesuit University animated by the spiritual vision and the tradition of excellence characteristic of the Society of Jesus and those who share in its way of proceeding. All candidates must indicate how they would help communicate and support the Catholic and Jesuit identity and mission of the University. The University’s mission statement and a description of the history and concepts of the Ignatian teaching philosophy may be found at https://www.scranton.edu/about/jesuit-tradition/index.shtml.

Official University of Scranton Non-Discrimination Statement

The University is committed to providing an educational, residential, and working environment that is free from harassment and discrimination. Members of the University community, applicants for employment or admissions, guests and visitors have the right to be free from harassment or discrimination based on race, color, religion, ancestry, gender, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, genetic information, national origin, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.

Sexual harassment, including sexual violence, is a form of sex discrimination prohibited by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. The University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in its educational, extracurricular, athletic, or other programs or in the context of employment.

Anyone who has questions about the University’s Sexual Harassment and Sexual Misconduct Policy, or the University’s Non-Discrimination or Anti-Harassment Policy, or wishes to report a possible violation of one of the policy should contact:

Elizabeth M. Garcia
Title IX Coordinator
The Office of Equity and Diversity
Institute of Molecular Biology & Medicine, Rm 311
elizabeth.garcia2@scranton.edu
(570) 941-6645
https://www.scranton.edu/equity-diversity/

To Apply

Applicants must apply online at https://universityofscrantonjobs.com and include a cover letter summarizing qualifications and strengths, a curriculum vitae (or résumé), a statement on diversity and inclusion, and contact information for three references. Review of applications will begin in January with a potential start date of August 1, 2023. See a direct link to the job posting here: https://universityofscrantonjobs.com/postings/6270. Prof. Donna Witek and Prof. Sheli Pratt-McHugh are serving as Search Committee Co-Chairs.

Reminder: Trail Cleanup Sunday! Volunteers needed! 10-12pm

Reminder: In celebration of Earth Week, The Weinberg Memorial Library will be joining the Lackawanna Heritage Valley for a trail cleanup at the Heritage Trail on Sunday, April 24, 10am-12pm. We will meet at the Broadway St. Trailhead by the University’s Quinn Sports Complex. All are welcome to join us! If you have any questions or need directions, contact Sheli Pratt-McHugh at sheli.pratt-mchugh@scranton.edu.

Join us for a Trail Cleanup!

The Weinberg Memorial Library will be joining the Lackawanna Heritage Valley for a trail cleanup at the Heritage Trail on Sunday, April 24, 10am-12pm. We will meet at the Broadway St. Trailhead by the University’s Quinn Sports Complex. All are welcome to join us! If you have any questions or need directions, contact Sheli Pratt-McHugh at sheli.pratt-mchugh@scranton.edu.

Library Dean Announcement

We are very pleased to share the announcement from Provost Jeff Gingrich on the appointment of our new Dean of the Weinberg Memorial Library.

It is with great excitement and gratitude that I am writing to announce that George Aulisio has accepted the position of Dean of the Weinberg Memorial Library. Dean Aulisio has been serving as the interim dean since July 1, 2021. His position as Dean is effective immediately.

Since Dean Aulisio joined the University community in 2009, he has been actively involved in multiple aspects of campus life. His internal service is wide-reaching, having served on 40 Library departmental committees and programs, as well as with nearly 40 broader University service projects and committees. He has served on the Hiring for Diversity Working Group, and Faculty Affairs Council Executive Committee and currently serves on Library Advisory Committee, Friends of the Library Board, Faculty Handbook Committee, the Graduate Programs Council, the Information Security Advisory Council, the Provost’s Committee on Academic Policy and Compliance, the Faculty Personnel Committee and the Strategic Enrollment Council, among others.

Dean Aulisio is an active teacher and scholar. As a Research & Instruction Librarian, he works closely with students in research consultations and the Information Literacy program. He also regularly teaches philosophy courses and independent studies. His library scholarship focuses on sustainability and green libraries, open access initiatives, library orientation and instruction, and professional ethics and copyright law. He recently published a book on philosophy collection development for an imprint of the American Library Association, and he served as Editor of the Library Materials and Pricing Index from 2018-2022. His philosophy scholarship focuses on the philosophy of mind, Descartes’s scientific endeavors, and comparative ethics.

His professional service includes holding elected officer positions on the Pennsylvania Library Association’s Northeast Chapter and the College and Research Division. In conjunction with his role as Editor of the Library Materials and Pricing Index, he also serves as an appointed officer on ALA’s CORE publications committee.

Dean Aulisio earned a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from Bloomsburg University, a Master of Science in Library and Information Science from Drexel University, a Master of Liberal Arts in Philosophy from the University of Pennsylvania, and is currently completing his Ph.D. in Philosophy from Temple University.

Congratulations, Dean Aulisio!

Join us for Affordable Learning Discussion 3/9

University faculty, please join us during Open Education Week on Wednesday, March 9th, at 11 am in WML 305 for coffee, cookies, and conversation about using Open Educational Resources (OER) and the Library’s collection in your courses to reduce costs to students.

The discussion will include an introduction to OER, locating OER and other open materials online and in the Library’s collection, and suggestions for how you can replace costly textbooks and resources with OER and/or appropriately licensed Library resources. Please bring any questions or ideas- there will be plenty of time for open discussion.

We will also answer questions about the Affordable Learning Implementation Grants, available to full-time faculty and accepting applications until April 15th.

Click here to register.

Please email affordablelearning@scranton.edu with any questions.

Job Opportunity: Research & Instruction Librarian, Part-Time

We invite applicants to apply for the part-time Research & Instruction Librarian. To apply and see the full job description visit: https://universityofscrantonjobs.com/postings/5640

Position Title: Research & Instruction Librarian (part-time)

Reports to: Research and Scholarly Services Coordinator

University Classification: Professional Staff

FSLA Classification: Non-exempt

Job Purpose: The Research and Instruction Librarian (part-time) is a member of the Library’s Research and Scholarly Services department. This position provides research instruction and support as well as scholarly services, such as assistance with technology, academic integrity, and intellectual property. Depending on need, the part-time librarian may provide information literacy instruction in a classroom setting and have collection development responsibilities. The part-time librarian will also serve as direct back-up to the Circulation Services desk operations.

Essential Duties:

  • Provides research services, such as teaching effective research skills and providing research instruction and support, both in-person and online.
  • Instructs users, individually and in groups, guided by the Framework for Information Literacy for Higher Education.
  • In the absence of full-time librarians, oversees and is responsible for maintaining library services and library policies.
  • Maintains the operations of the Research and Scholarly Services department, which includes but is not limited to, maintaining the proper operation of equipment, informally supervising student workers, and following library policies.
  • Provides back-up patron assistance at the Circulation Desk, including:
    1. Conducting circulation transactions (charging, discharging, reviewing, recalling, placing holds, and collecting fines and fees).
    2. Registering new patrons.
    3. Assisting with maintaining equipment (i.e. photocopiers, laptop computers, IPads, security gates), replenishing supplies, and reporting equipment malfunctions.
    4. Answering telephone calls and assisting with circulation questions.
    5. Assisting with faxes.
    6. Processing monetary transactions.

Additional responsibilities:

  • Participates in collection development as needed.
  • Participates in Information Literacy Instruction as needed.
  • In the absence of Circulation Services staff, monitors the Library for disruptive behavior and unauthorized persons; reports major issues to University Police and through the online Library Security Report Form.
  • In the absence of Circulation Services staff, clears the Library at closing time. Ensures that the 24-hour spaces are clear of Library materials before closing.
  • In the absence of Circulation Services staff, secures the Library at closing by locking/unlocking specific doors and gates and adjusting elevator settings.
  • Performs other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Education Requirements:

Master’s degree in Library Science, Information Science, or a related field.

Preferred Education:

Master’s degree in Library or Information Science with ALA accreditation

Minimum Experience Requirements:

  • One year of library, teaching, or archives experience
  • Experience conducting effective research strategies
  • Experience working independently to pursue, manage, and complete projects

 Preferred Qualifications:

Additional Skills Required:

  • Ability to interact well with members of the public.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills, oral and written communication skills, and presentation skills .
  • Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
  • Ability to work effectively both as a team member and independently.
  • Ability to work creatively and collaboratively with students, faculty, staff, and community-at-large.
  • Professional commitment to user-focused library services.
  • Professional commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion.
  • Must be able to respect, support and contribute to the University’s Catholic and Jesuit mission.

Schedule/Work Hours: 20 hours per week during Fall and Spring Semesters. Normally, Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 5:00-10:00 pm. Sunday from Noon-5:00pm. Some flexibility in scheduling, but dependent on departmental needs. Reduced hours in January and August.

Printing at the Library Upgrade

With the help of IT, the Library upgraded its printing services over the summer. Below are the instructions to follow for printing from any device on-campus. You can also visit this guide for instructions for off-campus and additional support for printing, photo-copying, and faxing.

You can print from any device on-campus using the following steps:

  1. Open a browser and type in the address: pharos.scranton.edu 
  1. For the Username and Password, type in your Royal ID number and password.
  1. When the Print Center main page opens, click on “Upload” to select the file(s) you want to print.
  1. Locate the file to print on your device, select it, then click on “Open”. You can upload multiple files.
  1. When the Print Center displays your job in the print queue, click on the job(s) you want to print. At the bottom of the screen, select your options for printing (color, double or single sided, page range, pages per slide, number of copies). The cost of the print will be listed on the right of the selected print job.
  2. Select where you want the job to print by choosing a printer from the drop-down listing “Select a printer” and then click “Print.”
  3. A confirmation dialog box will appear with the cost and location of the printer you selected. You can go back to make changes or click on “Confirm” to print. Your print job is sent immediately to the printer you selected, and a confirmation notice will appear.
  4. Go to the selected printer and pick up your job.

Announcing the Search for the next Dean of the Weinberg Memorial Library

The Opportunity

The University of Scranton, a Catholic and Jesuit University offering a transformational learning experience, seeks Dean of the Weinberg Memorial Library. The Dean of the Library provides leadership and strategic direction for all aspects of library services to the University, contributing to the Library’s campus-wide focus on transformative teaching and learning in the Ignatian tradition. The Dean oversees the Weinberg Memorial Library (WML), and plays a creative role in fostering a climate conducive to supporting the teaching, learning, and scholarship of students, faculty, and staff. The Dean reports to the Provost and serves as a member of the Deans’ Leadership Council, Provost’s Advisory Council, Provost’s Committee on Academic Policy and Compliance, Faculty Personnel Committee, and Faculty Handbook Committee. The Dean of the Library also has supervisory responsibility for all faculty and staff in the Weinberg Memorial Library.

The Responsibilities of the Dean of the Weinberg Memorial Library

Essential Duties Include:

  • Administers all units of the Weinberg Memorial Library.
  • Serves as chief advocate and spokesperson for the academic support provided by the Library.
  • Leads the design, implementation, marketing, and assessment of Library policies, services and programs.
  • Collaborates and regularly consults with faculty and staff to develop library collections, programs, and services.
  • Has primary responsibility for strategic planning, annual report submission, accreditation and program review, supervision and mentorship of the Library faculty and staff, and professional development.
  • Makes appointment, reappointment, and rank and tenure recommendations on matters of faculty status for the Library faculty.
  • Manages the financial activities of the Library including the development and monitoring of the annual operating budgets and the strategic and effective allocation of resources.
  • Distributes various Library development funds, grants, prizes, etc.
  • Oversees the ongoing maintenance and assessment of the University-wide Information Literacy program.
  • Coordinates the Library’s information technology planning with the University’s Chief Information Officer.
  • Coordinates timely Library communications with the University community.
  • Leads fundraising for the Library, including supporting the Friends of the Library organization and serving as the Library’s liaison to University Advancement.
  • Coordinates the annual Jay Nathan, Ph.D., Visiting Scholar Lecture Series with University Advancement, as well as any additional educational events sponsored by the Library.
  • Serves on University committees and as an ex-officio member of the Library Advisory Committee. Receives advice and counsel as appropriate.
  • Participates in professional organizations and networks with national groups and individuals in the fields of libraries and faculty and student enrichment. Represents the University at the annual AJCU Library Deans Conference.

Position Qualifications 

Minimum Education Requirements:

American Library Association (ALA) accredited Master’s degree and a second Master’s or Doctoral degree required.

Minimum Job Experience Requirements:

Minimum of eight years of progressively responsible and administrative/leadership experience in an academic library.

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience working in a collective bargaining/unionized faculty environment.

Additional Skills Required:

  • Respect, support and contribute to the University’s Catholic and Jesuit mission.
  • Ready to lead and support University diversity and inclusion efforts, ensuring that the Library is welcoming, respectful of freedom of expression and dedicated to social justice, equity, and a culture of belonging.
  • Commitment to excellence in libraries and to excellence in academic support.
  • Ability and experience in management, strategic planning, budgeting, and collaborative leadership to guide an accomplished faculty and staff.
  • Demonstrated experience and success in fundraising.
  • Excellent organizational skills and excellent oral and written communication skills.
  • Ability to think creatively and to demonstrate creative problem solving.
  • A vision to identify and develop state-of-the-art information technologies and integrate these with traditional library collections and services and with academic support services.
  • Knowledge of current issues in academic libraries, in teaching and learning, and in digital and special collections.
  • Professional commitment to a user-focused service orientation.
  • A record of scholarly or other appropriate professional activity.
  • Ability to create a supportive and nurturing learning environment to ensure student success and retention.
  • Commitment to shared governance, embracing and supporting faculty status for librarians.

About the University of Scranton

University Profile

The University is deeply committed to its compelling mission rooted in the Jesuit tenet of cura personalis, individual attention to the students, and respect for the uniqueness of each member of the University community. The University of Scranton offers students a highly personalized education; is an exceptionally strong and devoted community; and is supported by a generous and motivated Board of Trustees. Founded in 1888 and elevated to university status in 1938, The University of Scranton is a community of faculty, staff, students, alumni, and friends who are animated by the centuries-old tradition of Catholic and Jesuit education. At Scranton, faculty and staff offer students a rich and personalized approach to education in the context of a dynamic university that prepares students to be agents of change in their communities and the world.

The University community includes roughly 5,000 undergraduate, adult, part-time and graduate students; 272 full-time faculty, and 600 full-time staff. The campus is home to three colleges – the College of Arts and Sciences, the Kania School of Management, and the Panuska College of Professional Studies – and awards the bachelor’s degree; the master’s degree; and four doctoral degrees (business administration, nursing practice, occupational therapy and physical therapy).

Mission

The University is a Catholic and Jesuit University animated by the spiritual vision and the tradition of excellence characteristic of the Society of Jesus and those who share in its way of proceeding.  All candidates must indicate how they would help communicate and support the Catholic and Jesuit identity and mission of the University. The University’s mission statement and a description of the history and concepts of the Ignatian teaching philosophy may be found at https://www.scranton.edu/about/jesuit-tradition/index.shtml.

Diversity and Inclusion

The University of Scranton embraces diversity and inclusion through its mission, Jesuit identity, strategic plans, community outreach programs, and numerous diversity programs.  The University of Scranton is an Equal Opportunity employer and actively solicits applications from diverse candidates. Please see our website at https://www.scranton.edu/equity-diversity/index.shtml for our full non-discrimination statement.   

Nondiscrimination Statement

The University is committed to providing an educational, residential, and working environment that is free from harassment and discrimination. Members of the University community, applicants for employment or admissions, guests and visitors have the right to be free from harassment or discrimination based on race, color, religion, ancestry, gender, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, genetic information, national origin, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.

Sexual harassment, including sexual violence, is a form of sex discrimination prohibited by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. The University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in its educational, extracurricular, athletic, or other programs or in the context of employment.

Anyone who has questions about the University’s Sexual Harassment and Sexual Misconduct Policy, or the University’s Non-Discrimination or Anti-Harassment Policy, or wishes to report a possible violation of one of the policy should contact:

Elizabeth M. Garcia
Title IX Coordinator
The Office of Equity and Diversity
Institute of Molecular Biology & Medicine, Rm 311
elizabeth.garcia2@scranton.edu
(570) 941-6645
https://www.scranton.edu/equity-diversity/

Scranton, PA

Located in Pennsylvania’s beautiful Pocono region, The University of Scranton is a vital part of a city that is considered the geographic and cultural center of northeastern Pennsylvania. The city plays an important role in the life of the University and vice versa. Driving time to New York City, Philadelphia, and Syracuse is just two hours, with Boston and Washington, D.C. less than five hours away. The regional airport, located just eight miles away, offers direct flights to Chicago, Detroit, Charlotte, and other major cities.

How to Apply

The search process is underway and will continue until the position is filled with a negotiable start date between January and July 2022.  Nominations, expressions of interest, and applications including a letter of interest and a full curriculum vita should be submitted electronically by visiting https://universityofscrantonjobs.com and clicking on “Search Jobs.”  A user name and password must be created in order to successfully apply to the position and upload the required applicant documents.

We provide our workforce of more than 1,100 people with competitive salaries and exceptional benefits such as health care, retirement plans, generous paid time off and tuition remission.

Confidential inquiries and questions concerning this search may be directed to The University of Scranton’s Human Resources Office at (570) 941-7767, HR@scranton.edu.