Librarian / Archivist
Rare Books and Special Collections, UBC Library
(18 month term)
UBC Library
The University of British Columbia Library is one of the largest academic libraries in Canada and consistently ranks among the top university research libraries in North America. UBC Library has 14 branches and divisions, two campuses (Vancouver and Kelowna), one off-site hospital library, and the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre - a multi-purpose teaching and learning facility.
The Library’s collection of over 7M items includes 1.4M ebooks, 229,020 electronic journals, 850,000 maps, audio, DVD/video and graphic materials, and 1,703 bibliographic and fulltext databases.
More than 300 knowledgeable employees – librarians, management and professional staff, support staff and student staff – provide users with the excellent resources and services that they need to further their research, teaching and learning.
The Rare Books and Special Collections (RBSC) Division holds and manages the majority of the Library’s rare books, maps and manuscripts with a special emphasis on material related to British Columbia. The archival collections at RBSC include the world-renowned Chung Collection, the archives of artist and author Douglas Coupland and the Langmann Family Collection of B.C. Photographs, containing over 18,000 images of B.C. and the Pacific Northwest. More information about Rare Books and Special Collections can be found under http://rbsc.library.ubc.ca/.
The UBC Library Strategic Plan 2010-2015 can be viewed at www.library.ubc.ca/strategicplan/
Overview of the position:
Working in collaboration with the RBSC Head and the Archivist, this position is responsible for the management of important rare books and archival collections in support of the core collection areas of RBSC. This position provides reference, instruction and outreach of RBSC’s archival and book collections. Additional responsibilities include, but are not limited to: archival appraisal, creation of finding aids, CCPERB applications and preservation of archival materials.
Qualifications:
Required:
· Joint Graduate Degree in Archival Studies (MAS) and Library and Information Studies (MLIS) from an accredited school of Library, Archival and Information Science
· Experience working with library and archival materials in all formats
· Experience providing reference services and instruction in an academic library environment
· Experience in core archival functions Ability to work in a collaborative team environment and to engage in a professional manner with faculty, staff and the public
· Demonstrated ability to act in a proactive manner with a user-centred vision of services
· Experience with computer technology and software, particularly library and archival management systems
· Strong interest in and demonstrated broad knowledge of B.C. and Canadian history as well as current affairs
· Knowledge of library and archival descriptive standards, particularly RDA: Resource Description and Access, and Canadian Rules for Archival Description
Preferred:
· Previous experience working in a rare book or library special collections environment would be an asset
· Experience in making presentations and teaching is desirable
· Working knowledge of Chinese languages would be an asset
Duties:
1. Provides reference and research services to students, staff, faculty and members of the public.
2. Organizes and teaches classes in the use of Rare Books and Special Collections resources, including the Library’s catalogue, print resources and e-resources.
3. Provides instruction/presentations to faculty and students (in the library, online and in the faculty departments).
4. Evaluates, acquires, accessions, arranges and describes archival fonds. Prepares, or supervises the preparation of finding aids for current and backlog archival fonds and maintains, upgrades and updates existing finding aids
5. Provides information/reference training for support staff and supervision for UBC iSchool student librarians.
6. May be assigned coordination of reference or instruction services in Rare Books and Special Collections: reference, teaching and instruction, web presence, subject guides and/or information guides, etc.
7. In co-operation with other RBSC staff ensures the physical security, preservation, and conservation of RBSC collections.
8. Prepares handouts, research guides and informational brochures in appropriate formats.
9. May be required to supervise staff in the absence of the supervisor(s).
10. Liaises with librarians and archivists in other areas of the library system
Working Relationships:
Reports to the Head, Rare Books & Special Collections. Consults with colleagues and Library staff as required. Works with all other UBC library divisions as required.
Term of Appointment and Salary:
This is an 18 month term appointment.
We are seeking applications from librarians with up to 2 years of experience. However, all internal candidates will be considered regardless of years of experience and are encouraged to apply. Salary will be commensurate with experience and academic/professional qualifications.
UBC hires on the basis of merit and is committed to employment equity. The University especially welcomes applications from visible minority groups, women, Aboriginal persons, persons with disabilities, persons of minority sexual orientations and gender identities, and others with the skills and knowledge to engage productively with diverse communities. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply. However, Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada will be given priority.
Applications will include: a letter of application that includes a statement of citizenship/immigration status and indicates the candidate’s education, training and work experience in the areas listed above; a detailed and current curriculum vitae.
To view the complete job description and to submit an application, please visit the UBC Careers page at http://facultycareers.ubc.ca/20126 by midnight on March 1, 2015.
