The University of Chicago Library seeks a collaborative, future-oriented leader for the position of Director of the East Asian Collection. Widely recognized as a comprehensive and dynamic East Asian collection, we seek a leader to sustain the tradition of excellence and guide the growth and transformation of the East Asian Collection into digital collections, innovative services, and scholarship as well as stewarding the significant special collections for improved access and preservation.
Reporting to the Associate University Librarian for Research & Learning, the Director will lead the East Asia team contributions to this dynamic division, working in close collaboration with peers to design and create ever-evolving services, spaces, and collections for scholars at the University of Chicago and beyond. The East Asia Collection supports new methods and innovations in research and is a critical partner to digital scholarship services in the library and programs on campus. The Director will play an important role in creating strategy to support innovative scholarship, enhancing access to global resources, and increasing global access to the University of Chicago’s resources through digitization and description.
The Director of the East Asian Collection provides leadership and strategic support for the East Asian Collection’s staff, budget, collections, operations, and services and programs. This position facilitates and enables collaborations for the East Asian Collection staff with the library and beyond, and creatively identifies and solves problems in partnership with colleagues. The East Asian Collection librarians and staff engage in a wide range of scholarship and professional service, and the Director is responsible for encouraging team growth and professional development.
The University of Chicago Library is an active partner and collaborator in both the Ivy Plus Libraries and the Big Ten Academic Alliance as well as the Association for Asian Studies Council on East Asian Libraries. The Collection supports new methods and innovations in research. The Director will ensure that the longstanding and strong partnerships on campus with the Department of East Asian Languages and Civilizations and the Center for East Asian Studies are sustained and developed, in addition to connecting to the numerous East Asian scholars in all disciplines across campus. In addition, the Director ensures that excellent user-centered services meet the constantly evolving needs of the University’s large and diverse user community.
Qualifications
Required:
- ALA-accredited Master’s degree or an equivalent combination of relevant experience and advanced degree
- Minimum five years of experience in an academic library or broader scholarly community demonstrating progressive leadership responsibilities that correlate with the facets of the position. Demonstrated interest in leadership.
- Demonstrated knowledge of current relevant library and scholarly communication trends and issues
- Written and verbal communication fluency in English
- Fluency in one or more languages in support of the University of Chicago’s East Asian scholarly programs
- Strong understanding of diversity issues and the importance of inclusion as expressed through a commitment to apply and incorporate the differences, complexities, and opportunities that diversity brings to an organization
Preferred:
- Five or more years of management experience
- Experience with writing and managing grants or working closely with a development office
- Experience in successfully leading collaborative efforts to enhance user services and to develop innovative resources
- Strong user-centered commitment to public service, including outreach and service excellence
- Demonstrated knowledge of emerging information technologies and trends in digital scholarship
- Familiarity with issues, trends, and operational needs of research libraries, and specifically with East Asian studies
- Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively with faculty, staff, and students of culturally diverse backgrounds
- Excellent organizational, analytical, and communication (oral and written) skills
- Demonstrated record of substantial professional achievements
- Demonstrated commitment to continuing education and active involvement in the library profession
Application Instructions
To Apply: Submit cover letter, curriculum vitae, and reference contact information online through the University of Chicago’s Academic Recruiting website: http://apply.interfolio.com/104249 Review of applications will begin after April 16, 2022. Screening of applications will continue until the position is filled or the search is closed.
Salary and Benefits: Appointment salary based on qualifications and experience. Benefits include a retirement plan, insurance, and paid time off.
Questions: Contact Library Human Resources Department at Libraryhr@uchicago.edu
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages diverse perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange. The University’s Statements on Diversity are at https://provost.uchicago.edu/statements-diversity.
The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University’s Notice of Nondiscrimination.
Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-1032 or email equalopportunity@uchicago.edu with their request.
Contact Library Human Resources
Email: hr@lib.uchicago.edu
Phone: 773-702-8754
Office Hours: 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday through Friday
Room 210
The Joseph Regenstein Library
1100 East 57th Street
Chicago IL, 60637
