Academic Library Fellow, UMKC University Libraries

University Libraries

University of Missouri-Kansas City

For more information about University Libraries, visit: https://library.umkc.edu/

The Services and Resources Division at Miller Nichols Library is delighted to offer a Fellowship to two current LIS graduate students. We seek a creative, curious, motivated individual who is new to librarianship and looks forward to developing a leading-edge skill set in academic librarianship, teaching, and e-learning. The Fellowship is situated in the main library at a mid-sized university in the heart of Kansas City's vibrant, entrepreneurial community and is a perfect place to accrue an impressive breadth and depth of experience for your resume. The Fellows will receive training for all job duties including teaching at the college level, instructional pedagogy, reference service, scholarly communications, and more. The Fellow will develop or be assigned to projects tailored to their individual goals within the Libraries' information literacy program as well as other areas within the library. Our focus is on turning good Fellows into excellent librarians.

The Academic Library Fellow provides reference and instruction services and contributes to other public services outreach efforts. In addition, the Fellow will be expected to explore other areas of the library and profession through special projects. The Academic Library Fellowship provides mentoring in the areas of academic library operations, professional development, and career advising. This position reports to the Head of Teaching and Learning.

Position duties:

• Reference Service
  • Provides reference service from the Miller Nichols Library service desk, on call desk and via remote service options, e.g. chat, text, email or phone.
• Instruction
  • As a member of the Libraries' Research Essentials Team, plans and teaches information literacy instruction sessions, primarily in classes for general education courses. Completes associated communication and class management tasks. Instruction meets the designated information literacy student learning outcomes for assigned classes.
  • Participates in the planning and implementation of the library's involvement in the university's general education curriculum.
• Student Engagement
  • Works with the Outreach & Engagement Department to learn about engaging and communicating with students and the campus community, performing best practice research, and working with campus partners in support of student success.
  • Collaborates on projects such as: developing programs or services with student engagement goals, planning events, and creating content for the Libraries external communication channels and social media presence.
• Projects
  • Completes assigned projects which may be related to developing instructional materials, managing online instructional content and technology, student outreach, collection development, research assignments, etc.
  • Develop projects in collaboration with departments across the University Libraries, as determined by the needs of the library and the interest of the candidate.
• As appropriate:
  • Serves on a variety of University Libraries committees, working groups, or teams.
  • Pursues professional development and engages in professional service and/or research.

This position is a part-time, non-benefit eligible academic position at 0.5-0.625 FTE (20-25 hours/week depending upon candidate's availability)

• Because this is a pre-career developmental program designed for students in Library Science, you must be a current student in an ALA-accredited graduate degree program for Library and Information Science to apply. We encourage students to apply early in their degree programs.
• Service-oriented; willingness to go above and beyond.
• Good oral and written communication skills; highly comfortable with public speaking.
• Thrives in a team environment.
• Demonstrably high comfort level using a computer and web applications; ability to learn new software and programs

The anticipated hiring rate for this position has been established as $20.00 hourly.

To be considered, you must complete the application at https://www.umkc.edu/hr/careers/ including Legal Name, US employment eligibility, and current contact information. Upload all application materials (a letter of interest, curriculum vitae, a list of references).

If you are experiencing technical problems, please email umpshrsupport@umsystem.edu.

For questions about the position, please contact umkcfacultysearch@umkc.edu include the name of the position.

Application review will begin on 3/11/2026. Applications will be accepted until this position is filled.

• Term appointment, renewable dependent upon performance for up to approximately one year post-graduation.
• Scheduled hours will primarily fall between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays but also highly flexible. The UMKC University Libraries support flexible work arrangements in keeping with the Flexible Work Arrangement Policy. Flexible work arrangements should support the mission, goals and functional role of the employee, department and university.

Kansas City offers the best of both worlds-a vibrant, urban community with Midwestern appeal. The city's rich history and its modern-day, innovative thinking come together to create an eclectic group of neighborhoods that offer a little something for everyone. From thriving arts districts, an energetic downtown nightlife, casual to upscale shopping and champion sports teams, you will have no problem making yourself at home. Of course, one of Kansas City's biggest claims to fame is its food, especially its world-famous barbecue. Foodies will delight in the culinary scene found throughout the city. Ranging from award-winning chefs to cozy pizza joints, Kansas City definitely is not lacking any flavor.

UMKC's campuses are conveniently nestled in the middle of all the action. Volker Campus is just minutes from the legendary Country Club Plaza, perfect for shopping or restaurants for lunch or after-work happy hours. Surrounded by hip neighborhoods and eateries, the Health Sciences Campus is located downtown near University Health Truman Medical Center and Children's Mercy Hospital.

UMKC is proud to be "Kansas City's university," and the campus and its people celebrate all the characteristics of the surrounding community. To learn more about life in Kansas City and find more resources, visit VisitKC.com.

This position is not eligible for University benefits. Individuals in non benefit eligible positions may choose to participate in the Tax Deferred Annuity Plan (403b). For information about this plan, please visit the Faculty & Staff Benefits website at https://www.umsystem.edu/totalrewards/benefits.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of Missouri is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

To request ADA accommodations, please call the Office of Equity & Title IX at 816-235-6910.