Monday, September 13, 2010

Public Services Librarian, Robert B. Haas Family Arts Library, Yale University

Rank: Librarian I-II

www.yale.edu/jobs

Fixed Duration: Three (3) years from date of hire

Schedule: Full-time (37.5 hours); Standard Work Week (M-F, 8:30-5:00), occasional weekend or evening hours

The University and the Library

The Yale University Library, as one of the world's leading research libraries, collects, organizes, preserves, and provides access to and services for a rich and unique record of human thought and creativity. It fosters intellectual growth and is a highly valued partner in the teaching and research missions of Yale University and scholarly communities worldwide. A distinctive strength is its rich spectrum of resources, including more than 12.5 million volumes and information in all media, ranging from ancient papyri to early printed books to electronic databases. The Library is engaged in numerous digital initiatives designed to provide access to a full array of scholarly information. Housed in the Sterling Memorial Library and twenty school and departmental libraries, it employs a dynamic, diverse, and innovative staff of over 500 who have the opportunity to work with the highest caliber of faculty and students, participate on committees, and are involved in other areas of staff development. For additional information on the Yale University Library, please visit the Library's web site at http://www.library.yale.edu/.

The Robert B. Haas Family Arts Library

The Haas Family Arts Library at Yale consists of collections from three formerly-separate operating units: Art and Architecture, Arts of the Book, and Drama. Now located under one roof, these libraries support arts-area programming at Yale, including the Schools of Architecture, Art, and Drama, and the department of the History of Art, as well as the teaching and research needs of the Yale community beyond the visual arts. In addition, the Arts Library houses several prominent archival and special collections in Art and Architecture, Arts of the Book, and Drama, ranging from type specimens and woodblocks to theatrical archives to one of the world's foremost collection of books on color.

Position Description

The Robert B. Haas Family Arts Library Public Services Librarian provides reference, instruction, and access services for the School of Architecture, Department of the History of Art, and the School of Art (studio arts). Provides reference, assists in orientation or instruction, and acts as the Arts Library’s liaison to the Schools of Drama and Film and Theater Studies Program, as well as the appropriate Library Subject Specialists for these areas of study.

Reporting to the Arts Library’s Assistant Director for Collections, Research and Access, the Public Services Librarian assists in managing the Arts Library Access Services Department by promoting and instilling the highest service standards and administering department resources to provide excellent customer service throughout the library. Shares responsibility with the Arts Library team for long-range strategic planning for the library, fostering a creative, collaborative, and team-oriented work-environment, and facilitating communication and coordination among Arts Library team members and other units of the Library.

The Arts Library Public Services Librarian works collaboratively with Library and systems staff to initiate new projects and explore innovative technologies to improve reference, instruction, and access services, as appropriate. Contributes scholarly experience with visual and performing arts and participates in the Yale University Library’s Research Education Committee.

Responsibilities

Plans, monitors, and evaluates public and access services for all hours the library is open, including oversight of reference service at the Arts Library Service Desk. Supervises and coaches one (1) direct report support staff for Drama; establishes, monitors, and incorporates performance indicators to assess and improve the quality of services provided by the department; and participates in general planning for the Robert B. Haas Family Arts Library, including the move of collections and transition of services, in coordination with other units. Contributes content to the Arts Library web site including: facilitating design and content planning in coordination with other Arts librarians and Yale Arts area constituencies; production and design of library subject or reference guides; and participation in the Yale University Library’s virtual reference service and Personal Librarian Program. Participates in library planning committees and task forces and engages in campus, regional, and national professional organizations and collaborative activities. Expected to be professionally active and represents the Library and the University in the academic, scholarly, and professional community. May be required to participate with disaster recovery efforts. May be assigned to work at West Campus location in West Haven, CT.

Qualifications

Master’s degree from an ALA-accredited program for library and information science. Appointment to the rank of Librarian II requires a minimum of two years of professional experience and demonstrated professional accomplishments appropriate to the rank, as well as ongoing engagement in professional development, research, or services. Demonstrated success in supervising and leading in a unionized and diverse staff team environment. Experience with web design and development and electronic information resources.

Excellent analytical, organizational, management, customer service, and interpersonal skills. Ability to effectively build partnerships and promote the benefits of change in an academic culture that often values ambiguity, diversity of opinion, and historic precedent. Ability to communicate effectively through both oral and written expression. Ability to work both independently and collegially in a demanding and rapidly changing environment.

Preferred: Advanced degree and/or relevant experience in art, history of art, or performing arts disciplines. Experience with HTML and XML. Reading knowledge of two or more Western European languages.

Salary and Benefits

We invite you to discover the excitement, diversity, rewards and excellence of a career at Yale University. One of the country's great workplaces, Yale University offers exciting opportunities for meaningful accomplishment and true growth. Our benefits package is among the best anywhere, with a wide variety of insurance choices, liberal paid time off, fantastic family and educational benefits, a variety of retirement benefits, extensive recreational facilities, and much more. Applications consisting of a cover letter, resume, and the names of three professional references should be sent by creating an account and applying online at www.yale.edu/jobs for immediate consideration - the STARS req ID for this position is 10646BR. Please be sure to reference #10646BR in your cover letter. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until position is filled.

Background Check Requirements

All external candidates for employment will be subject to pre-employment background screening for this position, which may include motor vehicle and credit checks based on the position description and job requirements. All offers are contingent on successful completion of a background check. Please visit www.yale.edu/hronline/careers/screening/faqs.html for additional information on the background check requirements and process.

Yale University is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer. Yale values diversity in its faculty, staff, and students and strongly encourages applications from women and members of underrepresented minority groups.