Job at UF: African American Studies Librarian

I’m excited to share that UF has an opening for an African American Studies Librarian! Please see and share the full position vacancy announcement on the Library HR website: http://www.uflib.ufl.edu/pers/FacultyPositions.html
The position information is also copied below for ease.

POSITION VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT
POSITION: African American Studies Librarian
RANK: Assistant University Librarian
REPORTS TO: Chair, Humanities & Social Sciences Library (Library West)
SALARY: Minimum Salary $46,880; Actual salary will reflect selected professional’s experience and credentials
REQUISITION #: 0908571
DEADLINE DATE: July 27, 2015 (review of applications will begin July 6, 2015) Please note that this posting has specific instructions for the submission of application materials – see our website at: http://web.uflib.ufl.edu/pers/careers.htm or the
APPLICATION PROCESS section below for further details. Failure to submit the required documents may result in the application not being considered.
JOB SUMMARY
The African American Studies Librarian is a tenure track library faculty position, which is responsible for the overall development and management in all formats of the African American Studies collections in Library West, with a focus on the humanities and social sciences disciplines, and a key partner advising Special and Area Studies Collections (SASC) on African American collections and programming. Working in close collaboration with Special and Area Studies Collections, the Librarian assists in developing and curating the Libraries’ unique African American collections, establishing and managing a program of outreach to local communities involving programming, exhibits, speaking engagements, and other services. The position supports the African American Studies Program, as well as related interdisciplinary programs offered by the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences in such areas as the Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures, Department of History, and the Center for Global Islamic Studies.
The African American Studies Librarian provides both general and specialized research assistance services including the development of subject or course related online guides as well as providing one on one consultation at the Library West Research Assistance Desk, online via chat or email, or by appointment. While the incumbent provides in-depth library instruction in the area of African American Studies, the Librarian also provides general library instruction in the humanities and social sciences for faculty, students, and other scholars.
The Smathers Libraries encourages staff participation in reaching management decisions and consequently the African American Studies Librarian will serve on various committees and teams. To support all students and faculty and foster excellence in a diverse and global society, the African American Studies Librarian will be expected to include individuals of diverse backgrounds, experiences, races, ethnicities, genders, and perspectives in work activities. The African American Studies Librarian is also expected to pursue professional development opportunities including scholarship and research, and professional service activities relevant to the duties of the position.
RESPONSIBILITIES

• Conducts outreach activities and instruction with faculty, students, and on- and off-campus organizations, in order to promote library services, to educate users in effective use of library resources, and to communicate relevant Libraries’ issues.
• Provides advanced reference and research consultation in support of African American Studies and related areas, including the development of online library guides and other online resources. Staffs the Library West Research Assistance Desk. Assists SASC patrons with research resources, class use of SASC collections and queries regarding holdings.
• Develops strategies for making African American special collections resources available in classrooms on campus and online, curates exhibits, coordinates lectures, book signings, and other public programs to highlight the collections.
• Analyzes the African American Studies collection development program activities and provides reports, strategies, assessments, and studies or surveys as required.
• Defines goals aligned with the Libraries’ Strategic Directions, establishes objectives, plans and manages budgets. Coordinates collection development activities with other subject specialists and librarians, with respect to resources for the Library West African American Studies collections.
• Facilitates public engagement within the community and with K-12 school programs.
• Participates in the Libraries’ grants and fundraising efforts.
• Participates in the Humanities and Social Sciences general reference and instruction programs, managing African American Studies resources and other assigned areas.
• Participates in professional development and continuing education endeavors. Liaises and collaborates with faculty, students, researchers, and other departments to further library digital scholarship initiatives and partnerships.
• Represents the Libraries in appropriate university, local, state, regional, and national bodies.
• Performs scholarly research and provides service at the institutional and professional levels as related to assignment and in accordance with tenure and promotion criteria.

QUALIFICATIONS
Required:

• Masters or Ph.D. in African American Studies, or MLS or advanced degree in related discipline.
• Knowledge of the history and culture of African Americans in particular and the United States in general; and related subject areas.
• Knowledge of major research resources and academic research processes used in academic libraries.
• Excellent oral, interpersonal, and written communication skills, including presentation skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively, independently, and collaboratively in a collegial environment with faculty, students, administrators, and the general public.
• Initiative, flexibility, and the ability to adapt and work creatively in a complex, rapidly changing academic environment.
• Strong potential for meeting the requirements of tenure and promotion outlined at http://library.ufl.edu/cdh.

Preferred:

• MLS/MLIS from an ALA-accredited program.
• Experience working in an academic library.
• Demonstrated experience of or knowledge in digital humanities.
• Experience with organizational records and/or personal papers and demonstrated understanding of archival description and materials.
• Skill in providing outreach programs that promote archival collections and services (e.g. archives tours, orientations, and online information).
• Record of including individuals of diverse backgrounds, experiences, races, ethnicities, genders, and perspectives in research, teaching, service and other work.
• Experience managing collections in an academic or research library.
• Demonstrated record of instruction, scholarship, public outreach, and development.

THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
The University of Florida (UF) is a major, public, comprehensive, land-grant, research university. The state’s oldest and most comprehensive university, UF is among the nation’s most academically diverse public universities. UF has a long history of established programs in international education, research, and service. It is one of only 17 public, land-grant universities that belong to the Association of American Universities. UF traces its beginnings to a small seminary in 1853 and is now one of the largest universities in the nation, with more than 50,000 students. For more information, please consult the UF homepage at http://www.ufl.edu.
GEORGE A. SMATHERS LIBRARIES
The libraries of the University of Florida form the largest information resource system in the state of Florida. The UF Libraries consist of seven libraries; six are in the system known as the George A. Smathers Libraries at the University of Florida. The libraries hold over 5,800,000 print volumes, 8,100,000 microfilms, 630,000 e-books, 121,016 full-text electronic journals, 889 electronic databases, 1,300,000 documents and 766,000 maps and images. The libraries have built a number of nationally significant research collections, including the Latin American, Judaica, Florida History, Children’s Literature, and Maps and Imagery Collections. The Smathers Libraries are a member of the Association of Research Libraries (ARL), the Center for Research Libraries (CRL), the Association of Southeastern Research Libraries (ASERL), and LYRASIS. The library staff consists of more than 400 FTE librarians, technical/clerical staff and student assistants. The organizational chart is available at http://www.uflib.ufl.edu/orgchart.pdf.
HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES LIBRARY (Library West)
The Humanities and Social Sciences Library (Library West) is the largest branch library on the UF campus, with 14 faculty and 16 staff members, seating for 1,400 patrons, and 217 public computers, including iPads and Netbook laptops. Last year, Library West received over 1.4 million visitors. Renovated in 2006, the branch offers 16 group study rooms, 3 media rooms, including video conferencing facilities, faculty and graduate carrels as well as a limited-access floor for graduate students. Two classrooms are available, one with auditorium-style seating and the other with 19 computers for hands-on instruction. Within the branch, there are four functional units: Research Assistance, Instruction and Outreach, Collections, and Circulation; these units are managed by coordinators who oversee the daily functions. Programs and lectures are scheduled throughout the year in the Information Commons area. The branch is also home to the Libraries Administration, Human Resources and Fiscal Services, Library Facilities Planning, and the Access Support unit providing ILL and Reserves services for all branches. A Starbucks is located in the building. Organizational chart available at: http://cms.uflib.ufl.edu/portals/librarywest/LibraryWestOrganization20140623.pdf
COMMUNITY
Gainesville, Florida and the surrounding community are home to approximately 240,000 people and both the University of Florida and Santa Fe College. Situated just over an hour from the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean, the city is surrounded by over 40 nature parks, including many spring-fed lakes and rivers. In 2007, Gainesville was ranked as the “Best Place to Live and Work” by Frommer’s Cities Ranked and Rated and as one of the “Best Places to Live and Play” by National Geographic Adventure. Gainesville is known as an innovative municipal government and an innovative city. Gainesville continues to receive national recognition as a top-rated city. Some of Gainesville’s accolades are listed at the Gainesville Awards and Recognition link. A recent article in Florida Trend Magazine offers an in depth Community Portrait of Gainesville and the University of Florida. Gainesville was featured in the Top 100 Best Places to Love 2014 on Livability, America’s Best Places to Live & Visit. The area has numerous cultural institutions and is a haven for sports fans. Jacksonville, Orlando, Tampa, Tallahassee, and St. Augustine are all within a two-hour drive. BENEFITS Vacation days, paid holidays, and sick leave days; retirement plan options; insurance benefits; tuition fee waiver program; no state or local income tax. Prospective employees should review the information about employment and benefits at UF available at http://hr.ufl.edu/benefits/. APPLICATION PROCESS The University of Florida is an Affirmative Action, Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages applications from women and minority group members. We are dedicated to the goal of building a culturally diverse and pluralistic environment; we strongly encourage applications from women, members of underrepresented groups, individuals with disabilities, and veterans. As part of the application process, applicants are invited to complete an on-line confidential and voluntary demographic self-disclosure form, which can be found at: http://www.hr.ufl.edu/job/datacard.htm. This information is collected by the University of Florida’s Office of Human Resources to track applicant trends and is in no way considered by the Smathers Libraries in the selection process. To apply, submit 1) a cover letter detailing your interest in and qualifications for this position; 2) a written statement (up to 300 words) on this topic: “In your opinion, what are some of the major research resources in African American Studies and how do these resources relate to evolving scholarship in African American Studies?” 3) your current resume or CV; and 4) a list of three references including their contact information (address, telephone number, and email). Apply by July 27, 2015 (review of applications will begin July 6, 2015). Submit all application materials through the Jobs at UF online application system at http://jobs.ufl.edu/postings/66748. Incomplete applications will not be considered. If you have any questions or concerns about this process please contact: Bonnie Smith, George A. Smathers Libraries Human Resources Office, at bonniesmith@ufl.edu. Final candidate will be required to provide official transcript to the hiring department upon hire. A transcript will not be considered “official” if a designation of “Issued to Student” is visible. Degrees earned from an education institution outside of the United States are required to be evaluated by a professional credentialing service provider approved by National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES), which can be found at http://www.naces.org/.