Overview

The Private Academic Library Network of Indiana (PALNI) is seeking a highly motivated and collaborative individual to join our team as an Affordable Learning Librarian. This remote position requires an experienced professional with a strong background in textbook affordability initiatives and with open educational resources (OER). As the Affordable Learning Librarian, you will play a crucial role in making higher education more accessible and affordable for students at PALNI’s 23 private colleges, universities, and seminaries by leveraging the power of zero-cost instructional resources. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the success of the established PALSave Affordable Learning Program. This position is grant-funded until June 30, 2029 with a start date on or around January 1, 2026.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide subject matter expertise on affordable learning initiatives, including open educational resources (OER) and open pedagogy.
• Coordinate PALSave program logistics, including operations, communications, and support for related faculty grants
• Collect, analyze, and report program data to assess impact and inform decision-making.
• Collaborate with PALNI colleagues, library staff, and campus partners to promote and expand affordable learning initiatives.
• Create and deliver workshops, training sessions, and online tutorials on topics related to affordable learning.
• Facilitate and participate in related groups to plan and execute grant deliverables
• Deliver project updates as requested

Qualifications 

Required

• Master’s degree in Library Science (MLS) or related field
• A strong understanding of OER, Creative Commons, and related concepts
• Ability to communicate effectively with diverse audiences and build strong relationships
• Ability to design and deliver effective workshops and training sessions
• Ability to assess the effectiveness of different approaches and identify solutions to challenges 
• Familiarity with academic library resources and services
• Detail-oriented with the ability to handle both small and large tasks
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including high emotional intelligence
• Proficiency with Google Workspace (Drive, Docs, Sheets, Gmail) and Zoom
• Adaptability, with demonstrated experience successfully coordinating both long-term projects and immediate-term, emerging day-to-day challenges

Preferred

• Experience working in consortia or other highly collaborative environments
• Experience with the Open Education Network Data Dashboard
• Experience with open publishing and related programs (e.g., Pressbooks)

Position Details

• Reports to: PALNI Scholarly Communications Director 
• Location: Remote work position with residency in the greater Indianapolis, Indiana area strongly preferred. Some travel is required.
• Classification: Exempt, salaried at an average of 40 hours per week. This position is grant-funded until June 30, 2029. 
• Compensation: Salary ranging from $50,000-$55,000. PALNI provides generous benefits, including up to a 10% match retirement plan, medical, dental, vision, disability, life insurance, 12 holidays per year, 12 sick days per year (accruing), and 20 days’ vacation per year (non-accruing), and family leave. 
• Equal Opportunity Employer/Diversity and Culture: The most productive and satisfying work environment is one in which work is accomplished in a spirit of mutual trust and respect. That trust and respect should be demonstrated through the manner of interaction between our employees, contractors, participants (those participating in PALNI activities), and the people with whom we collaborate. We value positive communication and conversations. We expect people to have different opinions – we all come from different backgrounds and have had different experiences. Those differences enable us to view things from different angles, allowing our organization to grow and thrive in a constantly evolving culture. We do not and will not treat someone differently on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, gender identity, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of our activities or operations. Please refer to our Respect in the Workplace policy.
  
  

Application and Interview Process

• To Apply: Please submit a cover letter and resume/vita via email to PALNI Executive Director Kirsten Leonard at exec@palni.edu. In the cover letter, tell us how your experience relates to this position and explain your experience or interest in nonprofit or library work. Procedural questions may also be directed to exec@palni.edu.
• Interview Timeline and Process: Review of applications will begin on November 17, 2025, and will continue until filled.

Initial interviews will be conducted via Zoom. References will be requested before in-person interviews. 

About PALNI

PALNI is a 30-year-old 501(c)3 nonprofit consortium with a strong track record of providing its 23 supported institutions with the best possible library information systems, technology and services. It does so through deep collaboration and shared expertise among the library staff and consortial staff, and through strategic relationships with external partners. The PALNI organizational chart helps illustrate the complex roles and leadership structure within the consortium. PALNI employees enjoy a supportive work culture based on trust, communication and respect. They have the benefit of working in remote locations across the state and beyond, while meeting periodically in central Indiana. Under the guidance of its Strategic Framework, PALNI strives to enhance the teaching and learning missions of its supported institutions through five areas of focus: affordability, student success, strategic services, expertise and collaboration, and engagement and promotion. Visit PALNI online to learn more.