Librarian for South Asia, Duke University

For the complete vacancy announcement: http://library.duke.edu/jobs/southasianlibrarian.html

The Librarian for South Asia develops the collections and provides library services in the interdisciplinary field of South Asian studies at Duke and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC). He/she also coordinates all library activities related to South Asian studies in the Triangle Research Libraries Network (TRLN) with the objective of realizing an organically whole federation of collections and services. The position reports to the Head of the International and Area Studies Department at Duke University and to the Associate University Librarian for Collections and Services at UNC.

Responsibilities

• Identifies and acquires library materials, in all formats, and from all parts of the world, in western languages and select languages of the region, primarily in the humanities and social sciences; monitors and reviews approval plans, gifts and exchange relationships; manages the materials budget in support of South Asian Studies, including grants and endowment funds, at Duke and UNC.
• Provides in-depth reference and research consultation for students, faculty and visiting scholars, and bibliographic instruction for undergraduate and graduate classes.
• Promotes use of subject-specific information resources and services in ways that meet user needs and expectations, utilizing current technologies and information tools.
• Develops working relationships with faculty, departments and programs related to South Asian studies, taking initiative to identify and meet their resource and service expectations and to facilitate ongoing communication regarding library resources and services. Serves as a member of the Triangle South Asia Consortium (TSAC), a U.S. Department of Education Title VI National Resource Center, and supports TSAC outreach initiatives.
• Develops a unified collection development policy for a dispersed collection on South Asia in TSAC. This is undertaken in collaboration with bibliographers at Duke University, the University of North Carolina, North Carolina State University, and North Carolina Central University, the heads of collection development, the TRLN Collections Council, and TSAC faculty. It is a policy simultaneously sensitive to the needs of scholars, the existing strengths of each collection, and the requirements of each campus.
• Works closely with librarians and faculty in TSAC to realize the systematic and long-term development of research collections in selected vernaculars appropriate to the teaching and research interests of TSAC faculty and which will serve as a regional and national research resource.
• Participates in relevant discipline groups of subject librarians and fosters cooperation with other subject librarians, technical services staff, and instructional technology staff at Duke and with relevant personnel at other institutions.
• Works closely with Acquisitions and Cataloging at Duke and UNC on vendor problems, processing priorities, and problem resolution, especially for materials in South Asian languages.
• Builds good working relationships with the LC field offices in New Delhi and Islamabad, and librarians and vendors in South Asia.
• Is responsible for identifying and acquiring library materials for Duke, primarily in the humanities and social sciences, in Western languages in all formats for Southeast Asian Studies; monitors and reviews approval plans, gifts and exchange relationships.
• Depending on interest, background and availability, may participate in the rotational schedule of the Duke University reference desk, answering reference questions and assisting patrons.
• Participates actively in professional associations, such as CONSALD and CORMOSEA. Leads Duke and UNC’s participation in national projects such as DSAL: Digital South Asia Library. Represents Duke and UNC to SAMP and SEAM.
• Undertakes special projects and performs other duties as needed and assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities
• Assists in training and revising the work of student assistants

Qualifications

It is the expectation that all Duke University Libraries staff members will demonstrate exceptional workplace behaviors in the execution of their specific position responsibilities. These behaviors are customer focus, collaboration, creative problem solving, continuous learning and a commitment to diversity. In addition, managers and supervisors are expected to help develop a common vision by providing clear direction and priorities, clarifying roles and responsibilities, and promoting mutual understanding through effective communication. They are also expected to take the time to effectively plan and evaluate performance, provide feedback, recognition and coaching, and develop employees to achieve their personal and organizational goals.

Education

Required: MLS from an ALA-accredited program or an advanced degree in a relevant subject area and related library experience.

Preferred: Advanced degree in a relevant subject area in addition to the MLS, or library experience plus a Ph.D. in a relevant subject area.

Experience

Required: Experience as a South Asian studies librarian (including collection development responsibilities from a variety of sources), high level of fluency, both spoken and written, in a South Asian language (preferably Hindi or Urdu), including the ability to read the Devanāgarī script, and excellent oral and written communication skills in English; knowledge of the history, politics, economics, literatures and cultures of South Asia; familiarity with current publishing from and about South Asia; familiarity with major bibliographic tools, including electronic resources, available for South Asian studies; interest in non-traditional as well as traditional collecting areas; knowledge of the principles and practices of collection development and management for both print and electronic resources; familiarity with best practices in bibliographic instruction and the concepts of information literacy; demonstrated ability to work effectively in a service-oriented environment with faculty, students, staff, donors, and the public; ability to work independently and as a member of a team; creativity, initiative and strong organizational and communications skills are required, as well as computer skills appropriate to the use and advancement of Duke and UNC’s information technology resources.

Preferred: Three years relevant library experience; knowledge of Bengali, Hindi, Urdu, Sanskrit and/or Tamil; knowledge of the history, politics, economics, literatures and cultures of Southeast Asia; familiarity with current publishing from and about Southeast Asia; familiarity with major bibliographic tools, including electronic resources, available for South and Southeast Asian studies; familiarity with trends in academic and research libraries as well as knowledge of the issues confronting higher education; knowledge of the US, European, and South Asian book trade and the changing technological environment in research libraries; ability to coordinate collaborative projects; demonstrated leadership in establishing and implementing successful new programs; successful experience in planning and managing the use of resources to achieve goals.

Salary and Benefits

Salary and rank dependent on qualifications and experience. Comprehensive benefits package includes 20 days vacation, 13 holidays, 12 days sick leave; health, dental, disability and life insurance and support for professional development and training.

Duke offers a comprehensive benefit packages which includes both traditional benefits such has health insurance, leave time and retirement, as well as wide ranging work/life and cultural benefits. Details can be found at: http://www.hr.duke.edu/benefits/duke_benefits.html

Send cover letter, detailed resume and the names, addresses (mailing and e-mail), and telephone numbers of three references to: Teresa Tillman, Library Human Resources, at library-jobs@duke.edu. Please include SOUTH ASIA in the subject line. Review of applications will begin in early February and will continue until the position is filled.