Spectrum & Diversity Scholars Community

Librarian for African Studies and African American Studies, Duke University

  • 1.  Librarian for African Studies and African American Studies, Duke University

    Posted Jan 27, 2017 10:41 AM

    The Librarian for African Studies and African American Studies actively engages with faculty, students, visiting scholars and staff in the African and African American Studies Department and other academic departments and programs at Duke to support current teaching and research needs, as well as to identify emerging areas for library support. S/he manages the Libraries’ collections in these areas to support scholarship throughout the research lifecycle and collaborates with colleagues in the Duke University Libraries to provide and promote library resources and services in the interdisciplinary areas of global black studies.


    Responsibilities
    ENGAGEMENT


    Serve as liaison to the African and African American Studies Department and also work with the Duke University Center for African and African American Research (CAAAR).
    Take initiative to identify, meet, and facilitate ongoing communication about resource needs and service expectations.
    Educate and inform faculty and students on issues of scholarly communication, such as copyright, intellectual freedom, fair use, e-privacy concerns, and censorship of Internet content.
    TEACHING & LEARNING


    Design and implement strategic and pedagogically appropriate instruction for library users through a variety of methods.
    Promote use of subject-specific information resources and services to meet user needs and expectations, utilizing current technologies and information tools.
    Support university outreach initiatives to K-12 teachers.
    RESEARCH SERVICES


    Provide in-depth, specialized research consultation and reference for Duke University Libraries' users.
    Participate in general research and reference services at the Libraries’ service desk and through e-mail, phone, and instant messaging.
    Partner with faculty and other library staff on digital scholarship projects at all stages including planning, proposal, design, development, maintenance and preservation. Keep abreast of issues relating to digitization, data management, and visualization.
    COLLECTION DEVELOPMENT


    Develop and manage collections to support multi-disciplinary research and instruction in sub-Saharan African Studies as well as African American and African Diaspora Studies by formulating policies and selecting materials in relevant formats and languages.
    Participate in relevant consortial activities, especially in TRLN, Ivy Plus and CRL.
    Work with other subject librarians, African vendors and technical services, to ensure access to scholarly resources.
    Collect, analyze, and report on metrics relevant to library goals; use relevant metrics in making judgments and recommendations; identify and use trend information in planning.
    PROFESSIONAL SERVICE AND DEVELOPMENT


    Display continuing growth in professional and subject knowledge and take an active interest in the profession. Growth and interest should be demonstrated through continuing development of professional knowledge and abilities, membership and participation in professional organizations, and service to the library, University, or community in a professional capacity.
    Participates in the planning, review, and implementation of the goals, policies, and procedures of the International and Area Studies Department, assuming department-wide leadership responsibility for initiatives such as, collection assessment, data management, digital projects, scholarly communication or outreach.
    Perform other duties as assigned


    Supervisory Responsibilities
    None
    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.


    Education:
    Required: Master’s degree from an ALA-accredited program or an advanced degree in a relevant subject area along with library experience. Understanding of current trends in scholarship.


    Preferred: Both an ALA-accredited Master’s degree and an advanced degree in a relevant subject area. Demonstrated record of continued education in African or African American Studies and librarianship.


    Experience:
    Required: Familiarity with information resources in a variety of formats in the humanities and social sciences; teaching or library instruction experience. Must be flexible and a self-starter; have the ability to work successfully in a highly collaborative environment; possess excellent organizational, interpersonal, and oral and written communication skills as well as a strong commitment to public service.


    Preferred: Three years of relevant professional experience and strong academic background in a relevant field; experience providing research service, preferably in an academic setting; knowledge of initiatives and trends related to research in international and area studies fields and to the evolving scholarly communication landscape, including knowledge of the publishing industry in the regions relevant to studies of various African countries; familiarity with web publishing technologies; experience with user and/or usability study methodologies; experience with assessment tools and methods; experience with data curation; knowledge of concepts related to open access and digital scholarship and services; knowledge of French, German, Kiswahili or Afrikaans; experience with digital arts/ humanities and social science research tools and approaches (e.g. harvest crawls, text mining, data visualization, image analysis)


    Working Conditions
    Must be able to work in an environment in which exposure to materials containing dust and mold is possible
    Occasional bending, crouching, stooping
    Normal office environment.
    Occasional weekend and/or evening shifts may be required.
    These statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the employee in this position. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of a person in this position.


    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.


    Environment
    Since its founding in 1924, Duke University has grown into one of the most prestigious private universities in the world and its medical center ranks annually among the top in the nation. The Duke University Libraries are the shared center of the university's intellectual life, connecting people and ideas. The Libraries consist of the William R. Perkins Library and its branches: Rubenstein Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Lilly, Music, and the library at the Duke Marine Laboratory in Beaufort. Duke’s library holdings of 6.1 million volumes are among the largest of private universities in the United States.


    Duke's hometown is Durham, North Carolina, a city with vibrant research, medical and arts communities, and numerous shops, restaurants and theaters. Durham is located in the Research Triangle, a growing metropolitan area of more than one million people that provides a wide range of cultural, recreational and educational opportunities. The Triangle is conveniently located just a few hours from the mountains and the coast, offers a moderate climate, and has been ranked among the best places to live and to do business.


    Duke offers a comprehensive benefits package which includes both traditional benefits such as 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/index.php


    Application
    Cover letter, detailed resume and the names, addresses (mailing and e-mail), and telephone numbers of three references should be submitted to: https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/8828 . Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.


    Applications which are missing any of the components listed above will not be reviewed.


    Duke University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual’s age, color, disability, genetic information, gender, gender identity, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, or veteran status. The Duke University Libraries have a strong commitment to Affirmative Action and is actively seeking to increase the racial and ethnic diversity of our staff.