Reference & Instruction Assistant, Associate or Full Librarian
South Dakota State University’s (SDSU) Hilton M. Briggs Library welcomes applications for a faculty position at the Assistant, Associate, or Full Librarian rank as a Reference & Instruction Librarian with subject librarian duties for the College of Agriculture, Food, and Environmental Sciences. Join a dynamic team committed to empowering the SDSU community and contributing to the academic success of our students and faculty. The position reports to the Associate Dean for Library Operations. This position is located onsite in Brookings, South Dakota, and is full-time and benefits-eligible with a contract year of 12 months.
The Hilton M. Briggs Library fosters academic excellence, collaborative endeavor, creative scholarship, student engagement, and lifelong curiosity. The library serves all SDSU academic disciplines and holds approximately 775,000 bound volumes and 600,000 government documents and provides access to over 100,000 electronic journals as well as e-books and streaming videos. The library building offers a variety of collaborative and individual workspaces.
Must be authorized to work in the U.S. Sponsorship is not available for this position.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Provide subject librarian services to students, staff, and faculty in the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences to ensure collections and services meet faculty and student needs.
- Provide both in-person and online reference desk and research consultation, including some evening and weekend hours.
- Participate in library-wide and college instruction programs teaching a broad range of information literacy skills to undergraduate and graduate students.
- Engage in collection development and review.
- Participate in the assessment of student learning and the evaluation of library collections and services.
- Keep abreast of relevant trends that impact academic libraries, assigned subject librarian areas, and higher education.
- Serve the library, SDSU, and the profession through committee work and other service contributions.
BENEFITS:
SDState offers a wide range of excellent benefits including medical, dental, and flexible benefits, retirement plans, compensation packages, paid holidays, and vacation leave. We offer a generous retirement plan that includes 6% matching, 10 hours of annual leave each month, 9.34 hours of sick leave each month, and eleven paid holidays. Employees also have access to internal and state-sponsored training as well as reduced tuition for state-supported courses at all State of South Dakota academic institutions. Relocation benefits are available per university’s guidelines.
QUALIFICATIONS
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
- ALA-accredited master’s degree in library or information science or equivalent by the time of hire.
- Experience providing information services in a library setting.
- Knowledge of current and emerging technologies related to academic libraries.
- Familiarity with issues and trends in academic libraries as well as higher education.
- Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Additional advanced degree.
- Academic background, degree, and/or experience in STEM fields including but not limited to agriculture, plant, food, biological, physical or life sciences.
- Experience working as a librarian in an academic library.
- Instruction experience in face-to-face, online, and blended environments, including the design of interactive instructional materials and activities.
- Experience using and managing research data, assessing research impact, contributing to open science, evidence synthesis, or other relevant areas.
APPLICATION PROCESS:
This system will guide you through the electronic application form. This employment site will also require the attachment of a cover letter, which should specifically address how the candidate meets the qualifications as outlined in the advertisement, a curriculum vitae, and a reference page with the contact information for three professional references. Email applications will not be accepted. Please contact SDState Human Resources at (605) 688-4128 if you require assistance with this process.
Any offer of employment is contingent on the university’s verification of credentials and other information required by law and/or university policies, including but not limited to, successful completion of a criminal background check.
SDState is a tobacco free environment. It is the policy of the University to maintain a drug-free environment and to thereby establish, promote, and maintain a safe and healthy working and learning environment for employees and students. This position is subject to South Dakota State University’s Drug and Alcohol Testing Policy 4:14.
Posting details
- Posting Number: F01964P
- Department: SDSU-Library
- Physical Location of Position (City): Brookings
- Posting Date: 10/23/2026
- Closing Date: 11/20/2026
- Advertised Salary: The salary for this position is commensurate with qualifications. At the Assistant Librarian rank the minimum is $70,000; at the Associate Librarian rank the minimum is $77,000; at the Full Librarian rank the minimum is $90,000. The rank of Associate Lib
- Duration of the Term: 12 months
- Appointment Percent: 100
- Tenure Status: Librarian
- Proposed Rank: Assistant Librarian
- Work Hours: Typically 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. with some evenings and weekends required.
- Typical Hours Worked Per Week: 45
- Appointment Type: Regular
- Scope of Search: External (includes Internal)
Department Description and Cultural Expectations
SDState is the state’s largest, most comprehensive university with over $94 million annual research expenditures, more than 200 academic programs and an enrollment of approximately 12,000 students. The university is part of a dynamic community for families, students, young professionals, and retirees, which offers an abundance of attractions and activities.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
South Dakota State University promotes access to and opportunities for all to receive the benefit of and participate in education, research, and service and is especially interested in candidates that can contribute to this land-grant access mission. SDSU is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to, and SDSU prohibits unlawful discrimination of all legally protected classes in the offering of all educational programs and employment. Arrangements for accommodations required by disabilities can be made by emailing HR@sdstate.edu. Individuals with concerns regarding discrimination should contact: Equal Opportunity Officer/Title IX Coordinator, Human Resources, Morrill Hall 100, SDSU, Brookings, SD 57007. Phone: (605) 688-4128.
Contact Information
For questions on the position, contact Kristi Tornquist, at Kristi.Tornquist@sdstate.edu or 605-688-5106.
Working Conditions
Cognitive Requirements
Analyzing, Comprehend, Frequent Change, Logic, Memory, Multiple Priorities, Pace-average, Perform calculations, Reading, Reasoning, Verbal Communication, Written Communication
Physical Requirements
Fine Finger Manipulation (keyboarding, pipefitting, bench work, etc), Lifting light, Repetitive Motion, Sitting for sustained periods of time, Use Both Hands
Keyboarding is required.
Sensory Requirements
Distant Vision, Hearing, Near Vision, Speaking, Vision (With and without corrective lenses)
Working Conditions & Exposures
Exposure to Dust, Walking/Standing on wood, metal or concrete, Work in narrow aisles/passageways
Book (paper) dust is present. Library floor are concrete and tiled. Library shelving is 36 inches wide.
Working Environment
Office Environment, Other Environment (Please explain below)
Library environment which includes office space, classrooms, and book stacks.
Supplemental Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
Documents Needed to Apply
Required Documents
- Cover Letter
- Curriculum Vitae
- Reference List
