University Overview

The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn’s distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America’s Best Large Employers in 2023.

Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play.

The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources, and much more.

Posted Job Title

Community Engagement Librarian

Job Profile Title

Librarian C

Job Description Summary

Reporting to the Director of Academic Engagement, the Community Engagement Librarian oversees the Penn Libraries’ outreach and engagement efforts to advance K-12 literacy and other initiatives that connect the resources and expertise of the Penn Libraries with public institutions in the city of Philadelphia. This position is responsible for leading the development of collaborative and strategic partnerships both across the University of Pennsylvania and in the community with the goal of creating impactful and sustainable literacy programming and initiatives. The work of the Community Outreach Librarian can be broadly understood to consist of three main areas of engagement: public K-12 library and literacy initiatives; communication, collaboration, and coordination with campus groups who are also in the community engagement space; collaboration with other Libraries’ departments in support of Libraries’ community outreach/engagement involving collections, digital and data projects, exhibitions etc.

Job Description

Job Responsibilities

• Actively building and managing library collections at selected public schools in collaboration with teachers and curricular needs, selecting, purchasing, and overseeing the delivery of new books, and weeding collections. Organizing the effective cataloging of school library collections, including volunteer efforts by Penn staff.
• Consulting with schools on the opening/reopening of school libraries and training school staff, students, and volunteers on running the library, cataloging, managing the collection, and use of an integrated library system.
• Supervising two FTE (subject to change based on funding) and overseeing the onboarding, mentoring, training and education program for 5-15 work-study Penn students working in the Philadelphia public school libraries and other community literacy initiatives.
• Developing and organizing programming to introduce Philadelphia public school students to libraries and librarianship, including visits to the Penn Libraries and arranging author visits.
• Collaborating and coordinating with other community engagement professionals in the Penn Libraries to develop and support programming and other campus units that engage with community programming and collaboration/ communication with Philadelphia organizations working in the school library or community literacy space.
• In collaboration with the Libraries’ Advancement Office, stewarding effective relations with donors.
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications

• M.L.I.S., M.I.S., Master of Fine Arts, Master of Arts, Master of Science, and 3 to 5 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience is required.

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Preferred Qualifications

• Background or training in literacy education
• Experience managing gift funds
• Experience with successful community-based programs and partnerships

Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School

University Library

Pay Range

$67,155.00 - $93,000.00 Annual Rate

Salary offers are made based on the candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, and in alignment with salary ranges based on external market data for the job’s level. Internal organization and peer data at Penn are also considered.

Equal Opportunity Statement 

The University of Pennsylvania is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin (including shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics), citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status or any class protected under applicable federal, state or local law.

Special Requirements 
Background checks may be required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.

University Benefits

• Health, Life, and Flexible Spending Accounts: Penn offers comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits to protect you and your family’s health and welfare. You can also use flexible spending accounts to pay for eligible health care and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars.

• Tuition: Take advantage of Penn's exceptional tuition benefits. You, your spouse, and your dependent children can get tuition assistance here at Penn. Your dependent children are also eligible for tuition assistance at other institutions.

• Retirement: Penn offers generous retirement plans to help you save for your future. Penn’s Basic, Matching, and Supplemental retirement plans allow you to save for retirement on a pre-tax or Roth basis. Choose from a wide variety of investment options through TIAA and Vanguard.

• Time Away from Work: Penn provides you with a substantial amount of time away from work during the course of the year. This allows you to relax, take vacations, attend to personal affairs, recover from illness or injury, spend time with family—whatever your personal needs may be.

• Long-Term Care Insurance: In partnership with Genworth Financial, Penn offers faculty and staff (and your eligible family members) long-term care insurance to help you cover some of the costs of long-term care services received at home, in the community or in a nursing facility. If you apply when you’re newly hired, you won’t have to provide proof of good health or be subject to underwriting requirements. Eligible family members must always provide proof of good health and are subject to underwriting.

• Wellness and Work-life Resources: Penn is committed to supporting our faculty and staff as they balance the competing demands of work and personal life. That’s why we offer a wide variety of programs and resources to help you care for your health, your family, and your work-life balance.

• Professional and Personal Development: Penn provides an array of resources to help you advance yourself personally and professionally.

• University Resources: As a member of the Penn community, you have access to a wide range of University resources as well as cultural and recreational activities. Take advantage of the University’s libraries and athletic facilities, or visit our arboretum and art galleries. There’s always something going on at Penn, whether it’s a new exhibit at the Penn Museum, the latest music or theater presentation at the Annenberg Center, or the Penn Relays at Franklin Field to name just a few examples. As a member of the Penn community, you’re right in the middle of the excitement—and you and your family can enjoy many of these activities for free.

• Discounts and Special Services: From arts and entertainment to transportation and mortgages, you'll find great deals for University faculty and staff. Not only do Penn arts and cultural centers and museums offer free and discounted admission and memberships to faculty and staff. You can also enjoy substantial savings on other goods and services such as new cars from Ford and General Motors, cellular phone service plans, movie tickets, and admission to theme parks.

• Flexible Work Hours: Flexible work options offer creative approaches for completing work while promoting balance between work and personal commitments. These approaches involve use of non-traditional work hours, locations, and/or job structures.

• Penn Home Ownership Services: Penn offers a forgivable loan for eligible employees interested in buying a home or currently residing in West Philadelphia, which can be used for closing costs or home improvements.

• Adoption Assistance: Penn will reimburse eligible employees on qualified expenses in connection with the legal adoption of an eligible child, such as travel or court fees, for up to two adoptions in your household.

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To learn more, please visit: https://www.hr.upenn.edu/PennHR/benefits-pay