Curator, Latin American Collection
Sterling Memorial Library
Yale University
New Haven, CT
Rank: Librarian I-III
www.yale.edu/jobsSchedule: Full-time (37.5 hours per week); Standard Work Week (8:30-5:00); occasional evening and weekend hours
Yale University offers exciting opportunities for achievement and growth in New Haven, Connecticut. Conveniently located between Boston and New York, New Haven is the creative capital of Connecticut with cultural resources that include two major art museums, a critically-acclaimed repertory theater, state-of-the-art concert hall, and world-renowned schools of Architecture, Art, Drama, and Music.
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 LATIN AMERICAN COLLECTIONThe Latin American Collection at Yale is responsible for the development of a strong research collection of materials from Latin America that meets the information needs of faculty, students and other scholars in the Yale community. The Collection selects and acquires materials published in Mexico, Central and South America, and the Caribbean. It is considered to be one of the foremost collections in the United States, containing a wealth of research material and offering a variety of research opportunities for Latin American studies. The collection comprises over 530,000 printed volumes, including monographs, serials, newspapers, and government documents. It has subscriptions to over 3,500 Latin American periodicals and monographic series. Most of these works are in the principal languages of the region, Spanish and Portuguese, but also included are many publications in French, English, Dutch, Creole, and Latin American indigenous languages. In addition to printed matter, there is a rich collection of manuscript material, a microfilm collection of over 15,000 reels, as well as such non-book materials as photographs, documentary film, sound recordings, and sheet maps. The collection is mainly housed in Sterling Memorial Library, but there are sizeable Latin American holdings in the Economic Growth Center Collection, and the Beinecke, Divinity, Social Science, Art, Music, and Law libraries. As one of the oldest collections among the major Latin American collections in the United States, it forms the core of the national resource for the study of Latin Americana.
Yale offers Master’s and Ph.D. degrees in disciplines related to Latin America , and it continues to attract highly qualified graduate students from the U.S., Europe, Asia, and Latin America.
POSITION DESCRIPTION
Based in Sterling Memorial Library and reporting to the Associate University Librarian (AUL) for Collections and International Programs, the Curator is responsible for the department called the Latin American Collection, encompassing activities from selection to acquisition to copy cataloging to preservation and collection management across various formats and media. Provides strong support to Yale students and faculty for their teaching, learning, and research. Manages three (3) full-time equivalents (FTEs), plus students, and a substantial acquisitions budget. Works in close cooperation with key departments across the Library, including other area curators, Cataloging and Metadata Services, Preservation, International Digital Projects, and staff in other departmental libraries. Relationships with and services to Yale's students and faculty, as well as outreach and participation in activities beyond the Yale community, including publishers, vendors, and professional groups are key components for success in the position.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Responsible for the development, management, and interpretation of the Latin American Collection. Selects materials for the Collection; develops, manages, and promotes library collections and services across all library formats (books, journals, databases, audio, video, etc.) in the languages of the region, mainly Spanish, Portuguese, English and French. Evaluates content and condition of collections, deciding what to add, preserve, replace, and withdraw. Establishes and maintains good relationships with dealers, content providers, exchange partners, libraries, and other institutions connected with Latin American studies.
Participates in and contributes specialist knowledge to Yale University Library's and Yale University's digital library projects for Latin America.
Manages a staff of three (3) full-time equivalents (FTEs) plus students, and a budget of over $300,000 for acquisitions. Collaborates with other departments in preservation of and access to Latin American research materials. Communicates with and assists faculty and students in meeting their teaching, learning, and research needs. Provides in-depth reference research, instruction, and consultations. Develops and maintains the Latin American web page, subject guides, and finding aids. Works closely with and serves as a member of the Council on Latin American and Iberian Studies. Advocates for, publicizes, and exhibits the Library's Latin American activities locally and nationally. Participates in scholarly meetings and conferences related to Latin America; keeps active in Latin American-related scholarly activities at the local regional national and international level.
Keeps the Associate University Librarian (AUL) informed of important changes in programs affecting collections and services. Works with the AUL and Library Development to identify and develop funding opportunities. 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 assist in disaster recovery efforts. May be assigned to work at West Campus location in West Haven, CT.
QUALFICATIONS
Master’s degree from an ALA-accredited program for library and information science and a graduate degree in a field relevant to Latin American studies -OR- a graduate degree in a field relevant to Latin American studies and an equivalent combination of relevant library experience. Appointment to the rank of Librarian II requires a minimum of two years of professional experience and demonstrated professional accomplishments appropriate to the rank. Appointment to the Librarian III rank requires at least five years of professional experience and demonstrated professional accomplishments appropriate to the rank. Experience with teaching in a library or academic setting. Experience with the creation and use of digitized content for research and teaching. Experience in creating content for Web pages.
Fluency/proficiency in Spanish and ability to work in at least one other Western European language, preferably Portuguese, as well as excellent communication skills in English. Familiarity with the history of, and current trends in, scholarly research related to Latin American studies. Familiarity with the major bibliographic tools used for Latin American studies and a knowledge of the current book trade in Latin America. Demonstrated ability to succeed in a collaborative, team-based environment. Demonstrated ability to work collegially and cooperatively within and across organizations. Demonstrated initiative and proactive engagement. Knowledge of trends in networked access to information, social networking, citation management, course management systems, digitization, and other technologies used by readers and libraries to facilitate information access and management. Familiarity with the use of archives and practices for archival description.
Preferred: Ability to plan, manage, and coordinate complex projects; demonstrated record of devising and bringing projects to a conclusion in a timely fashion.
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 extensive recreational facilities, and much more.
Applications consisting of a cover letter, resume, and the names and contact information of three (3) professional references should be sent by creating an account and applying online at
http://www.yale.edu/jobs for immediate consideration - the STARS req ID for this position is
12885BR. Please be sure to reference
#12885BR in your cover letter.
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. Internal candidates may be subject to a motor vehicle or credit check for this position based on the position description and job requirements. All offers are contingent on successful completion of the required background check. Please visit
http://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.
Manages a library collection, including selection, organization, preservation, and retention of college-level materials in a variety of fields and formats
