Assistant/Associate Professor, Online Learning Librarian

Location: Bowling Green, KY Category: Faculty Posted On: Thu Mar 12 2026 Job Description:

Position Overview

The Online Learning Librarian serves as the strategic leader for the library's digital instruction ecosystem, overseeing the design, implementation, and assessment of scalable online learning programs that support undergraduate and graduate student success. This position coordinates with the Chair of Library Public Services to advance innovative approaches to information literacy instruction through the ACRL Framework, ensuring all digital learning environments meet accessibility standards and evidence-based pedagogical best practices.

Key responsibilities include creating engaging multimedia learning objects, maintaining expertise in user experience (UX) principles and learner experience design in online environments, providing professional development for library faculty on instructional design and educational technology, conducting data-driven assessment of learning outcomes, and cultivating partnerships with campus stakeholders including WKU Online and the Center for Instructional Technology and Learning to expand the library's reach and impact in online and distance education.

Principal Responsibilities. The following duties are customary for this position, but additional responsibilities may be assigned based on institutional needs:

• Provide strategic leadership for the library's virtual teaching and learning environments, ensuring alignment with best practices in usability, digital pedagogy, accessibility, and instructional effectiveness.
• Administer the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of an online instruction program that supports undergraduate and graduate curricula.
• Collaborate with teaching faculty and library colleagues to identify needs; design, integrate, and enhance instructional materials; support and sustain effective teaching and student learning.
• Design, produce, and maintain multimedia instructional content, including video tutorials, interactive modules, infographics, and other digital learning objects.
• Assess the effectiveness of platforms, online learning initiatives, and instructional materials using qualitative and quantitative measures and apply findings to guide continuous improvement.
• Provide professional development, training, and consultation related to instructional design, educational technologies, online pedagogy, and accessibility best practices.
• Serve as a resource on emerging trends, tools, and practices in instructional design, educational technology, and online learning relevant to library instruction.
• Provide reference and research assistance through in-person and virtual service models.
• Engage in teaching, research/creative activity, and university, professional, and public service in accordance with departmental criteria for faculty rank and promotion.

Job Requirements:

• A Master's degree in Library and Information Science from an ALA-accredited program.
• Demonstrated experience successfully implementing a systematic instructional design strategy in an academic or library context, or an advanced degree in Instructional Design.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles and web accessibility standards (WCAG) in educational contexts.
• Demonstrated experience with modern e-Learning authoring and multimedia production tools such as Articulate Storyline, Rise, Adobe Captivate, H5P, Camtasia, Adobe Creative Cloud, Vyond, or equivalent tools.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills with the ability to maintain effective relationships with faculty, staff, students, administrators, and other key stakeholders.

Additional Information:

Rank and Salary

This is an open-rank, tenure-track faculty position. Appointment will be at the Assistant or Associate Professor level, depending upon the candidate's qualifications, including professional experience, scholarly productivity, and record of institutional and professional service consistent with expectations for faculty at Western Kentucky University.

Kentucky state law requires all public institutions of postsecondary education to conduct pre-employment criminal background checks to determine suitability for employment.

Western Kentucky University (WKU) is committed to a policy and practice of providing equal employment and educational opportunities to all individuals. In accordance with Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Revised 1992, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, no form of discrimination or harassment will be tolerated at WKU on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, national origin, creed, religion, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, marital status, age, uniformed services, veteran status, genetic information, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, or physical or mental disability in admission to career and technical education programs and/or activities, or employment practices.

Persons with disabilities, who need reasonable accommodations to participate in the application and/or selection process, should notify the office of Institutional Equity. To request an accommodation, report a complaint, or ask questions regarding WKU's Discrimination and Harassment Policy (#0.2040), please contact Ms. Ena Demir, Executive Director/Title IX Coordinator via email at ena.demir@wku.edu or by phone at (270) 745-6867. Ms. Demir is also responsible for coordinating the University's response to complaints related to sex and gender harassment. Additional information regarding Title IX is accessible via WKU's https://www.wku.edu/titleix/ website.

Information concerning educational programs offered by WKU are provided at: http://www.wku.edu/atwku/academics.php

For information related to job postings, please email employment@wku.edu.