OER (Open Educational Practices) Librarian
Technological University of the Shannon · Athlone, Ireland · On-site · Staff (Full-time)
Salary EUR 57,324–70,033
Posted Oct 21, 2025
The Technological University of the Shannon (TUS) is home to over 15,000 students and a staffcomplement of approximately 2,000, full-time and part-time, across seven campuses in Athlone, Limerick, Thurles, Clonmel and Ennis.
The appointee will leverage a flexible, dynamic working environment to develop an innovative programme that aligns with the goals of the University for OER and OEP (Open Educational Practices). In line with the UN 4th Sustainable Development Goal “to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all” and current trends in the Technological University sector in Ireland, the OER librarian will also closely collaborate with other Irish HEIs to promote awareness of OER and Open licensing trends and encourage adoption, adaptation and creation of OER for the curriculum.
Reporting to the Head Librarian and working with stakeholders, including faculty, students and CIPD, the role will support the assessment of the current state of knowledge and use of OER as well as assist in the discovery, creation, dissemination, identification, adoption and assessment of high-quality open resources.
Qualifications/Experience
Candidates must have at the date of closing;
- Hold a recognised postgraduate qualification in library and information studies
- At least two years’ experience in library instruction/training/programme development for information/library skills/teaching & learning librarianship
- Excellent IT skills and software application skills for content creation & delivery
- Knowledge of or experience with best practices regarding the adoption, adaptation and creation of OER
- Knowledge of major OER repositories and open training materials, specifically for higher education
- Familiarity with open licensing, copyright and fair dealing
Desirables
- At least 3 years post qualification experience preferably in an academic library
- Be a member of the Library Association of Ireland or equivalent
- Experience using virtual learning environments and online learning
- Experience or coursework related to OER and open-enable pedagogy
- Demonstrated ability to learn new tools and skills to support open education (OER repositories, search and publishing tools)
- Working knowledge of creating open materials.
- Ability to work collaboratively with internal and external partners
Competencies Required
- People Management
- Analysis and Decision Making
- Delivery of Results
- Interpersonal and Communication Skills
- Specialist Knowledge, Expertise and Self Development
- Drive and Commitment to Public Service Values
Competencies will be informed by best practice Public Appointment Service competency frameworks for the Irish Public Service.
Duties
The appointee will demonstrate an enthusiasm for the evolving nature of Open Educational Practices, for collaborative work in the domain of Open Educational Resources and the ongoing development of library learning programmes, including alignment with the wider organisation.
This position offers an ambitious and motivated individual the opportunity to shape and evolve all stakeholder skills in Open Education and how it relates to equity and access to Higher Education and wide, varied and high-quality resources.
There will be opportunities for training specific to this post and also in related areas to support the overall work of the Library.
The appointee will carry out such duties as are assigned including but not limited to the following:
- Support and contribute to the current library OER project including maintenance of the OER index, Open textbooks libguide and open courses index
- Provide leadership, vision, support and assessment of OER services for TUS
- Work collaboratively to guide faculty in the discovery, creation, dissemination, identification, adoption and assessment of high quality open and affordable course content
- Advocate for and promote OER to all stakeholders (faculty, students, PMSS, administrators)
- Advocate for open (Creative Commons) licensing of locally created works
- Assess current state of institutional OER use and knowledge, to identify necessary steps to encourage OER use and develop appropriate support
- Create OER-related instructional resources, including webpages, tutorials, and workshops on open and affordable course content
- Lead a collaborative OER project with partner HEIs
- Provide faculty with the necessary training and support
- Provide OER research consultations with subject-discipline faculty
- Develop and coordinate initiatives and services designed to support finding, assessing, using and creating OER
- Develop strategic partnerships with various campus stakeholders and work closely with them to both promote the use of OER and to support their integration into the curriculum
- Engage in OER related planning and outreach efforts, including leading workshops,webinars and related events focused on OER and related topics such as OEP and open pedagogy
- Develop methods and documentation for assessing and reporting progress in adopting OER and the library’s role in supporting and promoting their use.
- Keep abreast of the current trends, latest developments and best practices related to OER including open licensing
- Participate in relevant internal and external committees
- Work closely with the Head Librarian for the selection of OER for addition to the library collections and ensuring access to materials
- Develop and maintain relationships with peers in similar institutions and roles
- Make a positive contribution to all aspects of the library service and advocate for the range of skills, services and expertise of the library team.
- Manage the University’s Open Press and create workflows for inclusion into the Open Press.
- Encourage and assist faculty and support staff to publish in the University’s Open Press.
- Any other duties that may be identified by the Head Librarian.
