Michigan State University, Libraries
African Studies Librarian, Librarian I or II
Institution Type: | College / University |
Location: | Michigan, United States |
Position: | Librarian |
Position
African Studies Librarian, Librarian I or II
Salary
$50,000 minimum
Position Summary
Reporting to the Head of Area Studies Collections, this librarian has responsibility for collection development (in cooperation with others) for materials from and about the continent of Africa, emphasizing Africa south of the Sahara. Duties include selection of materials, specialized reference and library instruction, faculty liaison, collection management, promoting the collection, working on grant proposals, some travel to Africa, and participation in cooperative collection development agreements.
Michigan State University has 170 faculty with Africanist experience, with special strengths in the social sciences, including history; their students consistently produce more doctoral dissertations about Africa than any other university. The African Studies library collection reflects this strength and is one of the world’s largest.
The successful candidate must be creative, broadly focused and adventurous enough to expand or shift their range of responsibilities to meet evolving campus needs. The candidate will also participate approximately quarter-time in a secondary assignment based on interests and qualifications; assignments in cataloging or digital initiatives are likely possibilities. Some evening and weekend hours may be required. Other relevant duties as assigned.
Librarians are appointed as regular faculty in the continuing appointment system and are engaged in professional development and scholarly activities related to their position in addition to serving on library and university committees as elected or assigned.
Michigan State University Libraries serve more than 4,900 faculty, 36,000 undergraduates, and 11,000 graduate and professional students on a park-like campus of over 5,000 acres.
Minimum Qualifications
Master’s degree from a program accredited by the American Library Association or from a master’s level program in library and information studies accredited or recognized by the appropriate national body of another country. Knowledge of the history, politics, economics, literatures and cultures of Sub-Saharan Africa. Good knowledge of French or of a major African language. Excellent oral and written communication skills; outstanding interpersonal communication skills including the ability to be flexible in a dynamic and changing environment; exceptional commitment to customer service; ability to work enthusiastically and effectively with diverse faculty, students, and staff; ability to work collaboratively and independently; ability to prioritize and balance various unit needs; attention to detail; preparation and commitment to conducting independent scholarship consistent with a library faculty appointment; capacity and commitment to engage independently in continuing professional development. For Librarian II, three years of successful professional library experience.
Desired Qualifications
Graduate degree in African Studies; professional experience or travel in Africa; familiarity with digitization projects; experience with grant proposals or fund raising; willingness to do original cataloging in area of expertise.
Closing Date
5pm on Monday, February 29th, 2016
Special Instructions to Applicants
Minimum $50,000; MSU provides generous fringe benefits.
Interested applicants should provide a letter of application, resume and names, addresses and email addresses of three references to https://jobs.msu.edu posting number 2513.
Contact: |
Interested applicants should provide a letter of application, resume and names, addresses and email addresses of three references to https://jobs.msu.edu posting number 2513. Questions to: |
Website: | http://lib.msu.edu |
Primary Category: | Library and Information Science |
Secondary Categories: | African History / Studies |
Posting Date: | 12/11/2015 |
Closing Date | 02/29/2016 |