The University of Kansas Libraries

KU Libraries Job Openings

Librarian for Ibero-American Studies

The University of Kansas is especially interested in hiring faculty members who can contribute to four key campus-wide strategic initiatives: (1) Sustaining the Planet, Powering the World: (2) Promoting Well-Being, Finding Cures; (3) Building Communities, Expanding Opportunities; and (4) Harnessing Information, Multiplying Knowledge. For more information, see the Provost's website.

The Librarian for Ibero-American studies serves on a team of six area studies librarians, two program assistants, and 8-10 student assistants in the Libraries' International Area Studies (IAS) department. The position reports to the Co-chairs of IAS, who in turn report to the Assistant Dean of Collections and Scholar Services. The Librarian for Ibero-American studies provides user-focused service and subject expertise for the interdisciplinary field of Latin American studies and Iberian literature and works with faculty and staff in the Center for Latin American Studies, the Department of Spanish and Portuguese, and other departments or schools that offer a program or courses related to Ibero-American studies. See below for a description of responsibilities and qualifications.

* The assigned duties of this position may change as needed to address the evolving roles and needs of library faculty.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Professional Responsibility

Liaison. Serve as liaison to the Center for Latin American Studies and the Department of Spanish and Portuguese; work with faculty in other disciplines or programs related Ibero-American studies.

Collections. Build, maintain, and assess the Ibero-American collection: select materials in all formats, media-types, languages, and subject areas relevant to Ibero-American studies; manage the Ibero-American collections budget; monitor and review approval plans and exchange relationships; and cooperate with other subject librarians as needed.

Instruction. Work collaboratively with librarians, faculty, and instructors to design, deliver, and assess a program of library instruction that promotes information literacy among undergraduate and graduate students in Ibero-American studies and related disciplines.
Reference. Provide reference service and research consultation related to Ibero-American studies for students, faculty, visiting scholars, and the general public.

Outreach. Work collaboratively to develop and maintain web-based research guides (LibGuide platform), the department's website, and finding aids relevant to the Ibero-American studies; promote Ibero-American studies in the community and share subject specialties in K-12 social studies as needed.

Scholarly Communication. Support KU Libraries' Open Access policy by contributing to University's digital repository (KU ScholarWorks) and promoting it among faculty in disciplines related to Ibero-American studies..

Research and Service.
Engage in original research and scholarly publication in academic librarianship and Ibero-American studies. Engage in professional service activities within KU Libraries, across disciplines within the university, and in regional and national organizations relevant to academic librarianship and Ibero-American Studies.;

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Master's Degree in Library or Information Sciences from an American Library Association accredited program. Degree must be received by date of hire.
• Three years post-secondary coursework or work experience in any aspect of Ibero-American studies or in a supporting discipline with significant Ibero-American focus.
• Language competency in English and Spanish as demonstrated by college coursework, proficiency assessment scores (i.e. ACTFL/LTI for Spanish; TOEFL for English;), extended foreign residence in a Spanish-speaking country, native speaker; or other demonstrated competency measure.

 

Open Rank: Rank considerations are based on professional performance, research, and service experience sufficient to qualify for an appointment at the rank of Assistant Librarian, Associate Librarian, or Librarian. See Discipline Expectations for additional detail: http://lib.ku.edu/lfpa/LCPT/DisciplineExpectations2009.pdf

 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelors, Masters, Doctorate (or foreign equivalent) in any aspect of Ibero-American studies or in a supporting discipline with significant Ibero-American focus.
• Familiarity with electronic and print information resources with significant content related to Ibero-American Studies.
• Experience working in research library, research center, or equivalent setting.
• Knowledge of trends in acquisition, collection development, scholarly communication, digital libraries, instruction, and materials processing.
• . Knowledge of current trends, research, and curricula in area studies, the humanities, or social sciences
• Familiarity with the book trade and publishing environments of Spain, Portugal, and Latin America.
• First-hand knowledge of Spain, Portugal or Latin America through study abroad, fieldwork, or other foreign living experience.
• Working knowledge of Portuguese, as demonstrated by coursework, foreign residence in Portugal or Brazil, or native speaker.
• Working knowledge of indigenous languages of Ibero-America.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Effective written communication skills in English as demonstrated by the quality of application materials and/or publications.
• Effective verbal communication skills in English as demonstrated in application materials (Evidence might include coursework or experience in communications, public relations, public speaking, presentations, negotiations, teaching, outreach, project management, etc.).
• Teaching experience, preferably in a library or academic setting at the post-secondary level.
• Ability to work effectively with a culturally divers faculty, students, and staff.
• Strong commitment to instruction and public service.

 

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

Applications and nominations will be accepted until the position is filled. First review of applications will be September 24 , 2012. Complete application includes: letter of interest which addresses each of the required and preferred qualifications, curriculum vitae, and the names with contact information of three references.



ENVIRONMENT

Opened in 1866, the University of Kansas is a major comprehensive research and teaching university. The largest of the Kansas regents’ institutions, KU annually awards more than 3,500 bachelor's degrees and 1,000 graduate degrees, including 200 doctoral degrees. The University of Kansas holds membership in the prestigious Association of American Universities (AAU).

Considered one of the most beautiful campuses in the nation, KU's main campus occupies 1,000 acres on and around Mount Oread in Lawrence, a community of 90,000 among the forested hills of eastern Kansas. The campus offers a rich cultural life, including several museums such as the Natural History Museum and the Spencer Museum of Art, long considered one of the top teaching museums in the nation. The Lied Center, a $14.3 million, state-of-the-art performing arts center, hosts a variety of concerts, plays, dance performances and Broadway shows. The Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics, an $11-million, 28,000-square-foot facility, houses dynamic exhibits and the world's largest congressional archive.

Lawrence is conveniently situated between two large cities. Thirty minutes to the east, Metropolitan Kansas City, with a population of nearly 2 million, offers attractive cultural resources including the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, the Jazz Museum, the Lyric Opera, the Kansas City Ballet and the Linda Hall Library, one of the largest engineering, science and technology libraries in the world. Twenty minutes to the west is Topeka, the capitol city with 122,000 residents. It is home of the Kansas State Historical Society, the State Capitol Complex and the Topeka Shawnee County Public Library.

More information about Lawrence is available at: www.visitlawrence.com. Also, Find out more Information about the University and the Libraries.


The University of Kansas is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. The University encourages applications from underrepresented group members. Federal and state legislation prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, disability, and veteran status. In addition, University policies prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, marital status, and parental status.

 

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Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.

Location and mailing address:
University of Kansas Libraries
Administrative Offices
502 Watson Library
Lawrence, KS 66045-2800


Contact Information
Mike Broadwell
Director of Human Resources
phone: (785)864-8922
email: mikebr@ku.edu

The University of Kansas is committed to hiring the applicant whose talents will blend with and enrich our organization and community in new ways. We seek applicants whose strengths, experiences and potential combine to support and achieve the role of the University Libraries to provide research service and support to the university community. We expect employees to demonstrate initiative, exhibit curiosity, maintain a collaborative attitude, communicate effectively and remain flexible in a world of change.

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