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 15 branches and divisions, including 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 collections include over 6.3 million volumes, 850,000 electronic books, 150,000 electronic journals, 27,000 numeric data files, 5.6 million digital pages, and 850,000 maps, audio, DVD/video and graphic materials.
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.
For more information about UBC Library and the Asian Library, please visit www.library.ubc.ca and http://asian.library.ubc.ca/.
The UBC Library Strategic Plan 2010-2015 can be viewed at www.library.ubc.ca/strategicplan/ .
OVERVIEW OF THE POSITION:
The Head, Asian Library provides strategic leadership in developing facilities, collections and services in the Asian Library, including a growing range of community partnerships. The Asian Library, located in UBC’s Asian Centre, houses collections in major Asian languages - including Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Indic, and a growing Persian collection- in support of UBC’s Asian programs and initiatives. It provides access to a growing number of electronic resources and databases in Asian languages as well as digitized archives. The Asian Library also provides key supports for UBC’s community and international engagement strategies via its resources, programming, staff expertise, external partnerships and an increasingly robust digital presence.
Within the context of a changing environment, the Head will facilitate the planning for and implementation of new spaces, collections, services and programs to meet users’ evolving needs. The Head fosters collaborative relationships with internal library stakeholders, faculty and students, campus departments, and individuals and organizations within BC, North America and throughout Asia. Stewarding substantial collections, including Asian Library’s rare collections, through endowments, gifts, and effective processes is critical to this position. An outreach focus with prospects for co- programming with faculty, campus departments and community groups is a growing direction. Creating a highly engaged, productive and supportive environment for staff is essential.
The Asian Library is due for renewal under the University’s capital campaign, so the ability to envision and implement a dynamic physical environment is essential along with an ability to build a growing suite of digital collections. Working with Library Development the Head encourages and cultivates close relations with community partners, international organizations, and donors. The nature and scope of responsibilities for this and other library positions are expected to change as the Library organization continually evolves.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Required:
• A graduate degree in Library Science and an academic background in a subject and language area within the scope of the Asian Library
• Excellent reading, writing and spoken skills in at least one major Asian language related to Asian Library collections and programs, and complete fluency in English
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively with people of diverse cultural backgrounds
• Demonstrated effective managerial experience including supervising a staff of librarians, support staff and student workers
• Proven leadership and experience with projects, budget management and planning; and significant collaborations within a network of internal and external partnerships
• Must be familiar with developments in North American and other Asian libraries, digital library developments and scholarly and academic publishing throughout Asia, and be able to apply that familiarity to the operations of Asian Library
• Knowledge of information technology in support of Asian languages and a broad knowledge of Asian cultures, sources, publishing, and print and electronic distribution
• Must be able to represent the Asian Library and University through professional service and affiliations, locally and internationally, and in fund-raising
Preferred:
• Knowledge of Asian rare materials and their stewardship an asset
• Experience with new building planning or space renovations highly desirable
• A track record of developing innovative long-range academic or community programs and carrying out objectives is desirable
• A record of scholarly and professional achievement such as publications, presentations or teaching is desirable
WORKING RELATIONSHIPS:
The Head of the Asian Library works under the general direction of the Associate University Librarian responsible for Asian Library. The Head consults with the AUL Collections for matters concerning collections building, the manager of Central Technical Services on ordering and processing and with the Head of Rare Books and Special Collections, Finance and Facilities Manager, Director of Library Digital Initiatives, AUL for Library Systems and Technology and Director of Library Human Resources for interrelated areas. The Head cooperates with the heads of other branches and divisions in the provision of services. The Head supports the University Librarian and Library Development in fund raising initiatives.
The Head liaises with faculty members and unit heads responsible for subjects in the Department of Asian Studies, directors of centres such as the Institute for Asian Research, and with other campus units responsible for implementing UBC’s Asian and international programs. In a community outreach role, the Head interacts with a wide variety of individuals and organizations.
DUTIES:
1. Positions the Asian Library, on and beyond campus, as a recognized leader and collaborator in the provision of teaching, scholarly and community-based collections, services and programming.
2. Oversees the operations of Asian Library so that it can successfully fulfil its mission within the Library’s strategic context. Manages the necessary resources and technology. Sets and implements divisional priorities, allocating funds, human resources and time, and controlling expenditures.
3. Assesses opportunities for new collections and services by consulting with students, staff, faculty and community members; maintains liaison with faculty, campus centres, participating in departmental and faculty meetings. Liaises closely with UBC’s programs for international students and scholars to ensure appropriate supports are provided.
4. Ensures responsive interactions with Asian communities and allied organizations, working locally and internationally to identify and implement mutual goals. Seeks and develops partnerships in fulfilment of the Library’s strategic objectives.
5. Works with the University Librarian, members of the Library Executive and Library Development in fund raising initiatives and participates in the preparation of grant requests and grant program fulfilment.
6. Plays a direct and active role in capital planning and implementation, including working with Library Facilities as client lead for building renovation or construction projects.
7. Coordinates development of collections in the Asian languages and oversees budget allocations for print and electronic materials, working with the AUL Collections, Library Digital Initiatives and bibliographers. Ensures faculty and unit heads are consulted about collection development.
8. Collaborates within and beyond the Library to build Asian digital collections, including a robust web presence.
9. Oversees physical stewardship of collections and works with Central Technical Services to ensure ordering and cataloguing of Asian materials are completed effectively and efficiently.
10. Collaborates with others, including the Irving K Barber Learning Centre, Library Development and Communications, in developing programming, events and exhibits of interest to campus or community.
11. Creates an inspiring, supportive and engaged work environment for staff. Plans for staff development and training by determining the needs of the unit including individual staff needs. Allocates time for training and development.
12. Conducts performance and merit reviews and takes part in annual goal-setting.
13. Participates in the management of the Library as a member of the University Librarian’s Advisory Council and other committees and working groups as required.
14. Represents UBC Library in a variety of internal and external settings, including within East Asian library networks. Participates in a wide variety of professional and university wide initiatives.
15. Performs other duties related to the requirements of the position.
Terms of Appointment and Salary:
This position will be filled as a full time ongoing position with a five year administrative term as Head, Asian Library (renewable). If eligible and qualified, the successful applicant may be appointed with a confirmed appointment.
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, including a statement of citizenship/immigration status, indicating the candidate’s education and training; work experience in the areas listed above; evidence of teaching effectiveness, such as evaluations; a detailed and current curriculum vitae; and the names of three referees with their email addresses.
To view the complete job description and to submit an application please visit the UBC Careers page at http://facultycareers.ubc.ca/17056 by midnight on December 6th, 2013.
CEAL Jobs: Recent East Asian library-related jobs, presented by CEAL
