Duke University, Duke University Libraries
Middle East & Islamic Studies Librarian
Institution Type: | College / University |
Location: | North Carolina, United States |
Position: | Librarian |
The Middle East & Islamic Studies Librarian actively engages with faculty, students, visiting scholars and staff in Middle East and Islamic Studies from a variety of departments and academic programs at Duke to support current teaching and research needs, as well as to identify emerging areas for library support in the interdisciplinary areas of Middle East and Islamic Studies. S/he manages the Libraries’ collections in these areas and collaborates with colleagues throughout the library, on campus, at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and nationally to provide support and guidance related to scholarship throughout the research lifecycle.
Responsibilities
Engagement
- Serves as primary liaison to and actively develops professional relationships with faculty, students and staff in a variety of departments and academic programs at Duke University, including the Duke Islamic Studies Center (DISC); the Duke Middle East Studies Center (DUMESC); and the Duke-UNC Consortium for Middle East Studies, a U.S. Department of Education Title VI National Resource Center.
- Provides in-depth, specialized research consultation for students, faculty, and visiting scholars in assigned areas.
- Teaches research tools and skills relevant to the discipline.
- Connects faculty and students with and promotes library services related to scholarly communication, data management, open access, institutional repositories, digital scholarship, and information literacy.
- Works with library and campus colleagues to envision new projects and services to support teaching and outreach.
- Collaborates with Data & Visualization Services to develop, promote, and teach discipline-based practices for data literacy and effective data management practices.
Collections
- Proactively and systematically develops and manages collections in relevant formats and languages to support the research and teaching needs of the Duke University community.
- Leads Duke's participation in national projects, such as MEMP (Middle East Microform Project, based at CRL).
- Collects, analyzes, and reports on metrics relevant to departmental goals; uses relevant metrics in making judgments and recommendations; identifies and uses trend information in planning.
- Collaborates with colleagues at Duke, in TRLN, and in Ivy Plus to acquire materials and to ensure their ongoing accessibility.
Collective Responsibilities
- Displays continuing growth in professional and subject knowledge and takes 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 and academic activities related to Middle East and Islamic Studies and professional librarianship, and service to the library, university or community.
- Participates in the planning, review, and implementation of the goals, policies, and procedures of the International & Area Studies Department and in Duke University Libraries activities, as appropriate.
- Depending on interest, background and availability, may participate in the rotational schedule of the general library service desk, answering research questions and assisting patrons in person, through e-mail, phone, and instant messaging.
- Works with Library Technical Services to ensure accurate and easy access to scholarly resources; depending on interest, background and availability may perform copy or original cataloging.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Supervisory Responsibilities
- Recruits and supervises student workers as appropriate
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 PhD in relevant subject area or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Preferred: Advanced degree in a relevant subject field.
Experience
Required:
- Experience as a Middle Eastern studies librarian (including collection development responsibilities from a variety of sources) or comparable academic experience in an academic library;
- High level of fluency, both spoken and written, in Arabic;
- Knowledge of the Islamic and Middle Eastern history, politics, economics, literatures and cultures;
- Knowledge of the principles and practices of collection development and management for both print and electronic resources;
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects;
- Must be service-oriented and demonstrate a strong commitment to public services;
- Proficiency with information resources in a variety of formats and subject areas.
- Advanced knowledge Arabic and at least one other regional languages.
- Familiarity with the culture and society of the Middle East.
- Teaching or library instruction experience.
- Understanding of current trends in scholarship.
- 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 in English;
- Interest in and aptitude for learning emerging technologies and web applications; commitment to data-informed decision-making.
Preferred:
- Three years’ experience working in an academic research library.
- High level of fluency, both spoken and written, in Arabic and at least one other regional language;
- Knowledge of Turkish and Persian.
- Reading knowledge of a Western European language, preferably French
- Experience using libraries or archives in the Middle East or North Africa.
- Experience with the publishing and book trades of the Middle East and North Africa.
- Familiarity with electronic resources and reference tools for Middle East & Islamic Studies.
- Experience with data management, with quantitative and qualitative research methods in the humanities and social sciences.
- Experience with digital arts and humanities research tools and approaches (e.g., text mining, data visualization, image analysis, and augmented reality).
- Knowledge of data issues in the research/knowledge creation life cycle.
Working Conditions
- Normal office environment
- Occasional weekend shifts
- Occasional travel required
- Must be able to work in an environment in which exposure to materials containing dust and mold is possible
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 benefit packages 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/6438. 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.
Contact: |
Teresa Tillman - library-jobs@duke.edu |
Website: | None |
Primary Category: | Middle East History / Studies |
Secondary Categories: | Islamic History / Studies |
Posting Date: | 10/08/2015 |
Closing Date | 01/06/2016 |