POSITION: Reference and Instruction Librarian

DATE ENTERED:
November 25, 2025
POSITION:
Reference and Instruction Librarian

LOCATION:

Virginia Peninsula Community College

Virginia Peninsula Community College is a two‑year institution of higher education established as a part of a statewide system of community colleges. It primarily serves the residents of the cities of Hampton, Newport News, Poquoson, and Williamsburg, and the counties of James City and York.

Reporting to the Director of Library Services, the Reference and Instruction Librarian will create an inclusive and innovative learning experience for students of all backgrounds and information literacy levels at the college. The ideal candidate will be user‑focused with a commitment to student learning and comprehension. This position offers a range of library services to faculty, staff, students, and the VPCC community, including reference assistance, library instruction, basic circulation duties, collection development support, and faculty liaison responsibilities.

• Participate in reference assistance in person, on the phone, by email, and via chat. Provide individual and group reference consultations, both in‑person and online.
• Guide patrons to use library catalogs, databases, and other research tools, providing customer‑service‑focused assistance.
• Assist in formulating effective research strategies.
• Contribute to the development of library programming, workshops, and instructional materials.
• Navigate and utilize online databases, academic journals, and other electronic sources to fulfill patrons’ requests.
• Address and resolve any issues or challenges patrons face in accessing information resources.
• Support students in dual enrollment and distance learning programs by creating and maintaining online, asynchronous resources.
• Contribute to the creation and maintenance of library website materials, including research guides.

• Advertise, coordinate, and schedule in‑person, online, and asynchronous information literacy instruction sessions, along with planning, delivery, evaluation, and data collection.
• Remain current with library instruction best practices and create an inclusive, welcoming learning environment.
• Assist in the development of students’ critical thinking skills, information literacy, and data skills.
• Conduct ongoing assessments of student learning and contribute to departmental assessment projects.
• Design and develop subject guides using Lib Guides, library instruction tutorials, and other supplementary instruction tools.

• All library staff must provide circulation staffing to maintain open hours in the library at both campuses.
• Assist in maintaining and creating print and electronic resources collections.
• Utilize library management system (ALMA) to assist students in checking materials in/out, maintaining student records, and making data‑driven decisions.
• Collaborate with colleagues to develop and implement strategies to engage the community and extend library services to a broader audience.
• Assist with basic daily circulation duties.

• Liaison with the STEM department, attending relevant department meetings, keeping faculty aware of library services, and ensuring the library collection aligns with course outcomes.
• Partner with faculty and academic staff to plan and deliver course‑integrated instruction in information literacy and research.
• Promote library services through library instruction sessions, library tours, and attendance at relevant meetings.

• Work collaboratively with other library staff to develop a well‑rounded library collection that supports college curricula and aligns with course outcomes.
• Perform cataloging duties, adding books, multimedia, and equipment to the library collection.
• Contribute to the selection and maintenance of materials, ensuring the collection is current, relevant, and accessible.
• Regularly review and update materials.

• A master’s degree in library and information science (or equivalent) from an ALA accredited college or university.
• Experience in information literacy instruction or other training/teaching…