Monday, December 2, 2013

UBC: Chinese Rare Books Cataloguer, Librarian

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, 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 Technical Services, please visit www.library.ubc.ca and http://techserv.library.ubc.ca/. Information about Rare Books and Special Collections and Asian Library can be found under http://rbsc.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:
Under the general direction of the Head, Technical Services, and of the Chinese Language Librarian, provides bibliographic control for large collections of rare and semi-rare Chinese resources held in the UBC Rare Books and Special Collections Library (RBSCL). Creates bibliographic records in national databases according to cataloguing standards developed for rare materials; imports records into UBC’s local catalogue; enriches data in imported and existing records; performs or supervises complex holdings and item maintenance; provides guidance to other project and staff cataloguers, and refers straightforward copy cataloguing work to them.

QUALIFICATIONS:
  • Master’s degree in Library and Information Science from an accredited program in North America, or the equivalent
  • Demonstrated experience carrying out original cataloguing and authority work on Chinese materials, using online bibliographic systems (preferably OCLC Connexion and ExLibris Voyager)
  • Native or near native level of English and Chinese languages (including knowledge of traditional & simplified Chinese characters)
  • Full knowledge of the Pinyin system of Chinese romanization
  • Knowledge of cataloguing/metadata standards and reference tools, including RDA, AACR2, and Cataloging Guidelines for Creating Chinese Rare Book Records in Machine-Readable Form
  • Familiarity with LCRI, LCSH, LC Classification Schedules, LC-PCC & CONSER cataloguing guidelines and policy statements
  • Good computer skills, including word-processing for English and Chinese, as well as knowledge of bibliographic databases
  • Substantial knowledge of Chinese literature, history and culture
  • Good organizational and project management skills
  • Excellent collegial, interpersonal and communication skills
WORKING RELATIONSHIPS:
Reports to the Head, Technical Services. Works closely with the Chinese Language Librarian (Asian Library), the Principal Bibliographer (Technical Services), and with librarians and staff in the Rare Books and Special Collections Library. Interacts with Digital Services librarians and staff involved in digitizing Chinese rare materials. Supervises library assistants and students in cataloguing and associated duties. Consults with colleagues as required.

DUTIES:
  • Provides original cataloguing as well as complex copy-cataloguing for rare and semi-rare Chinese materials following national standards (Cataloging Guidelines for Creating Chinese Rare Book Records in Machine-Readable Form) as well as local policies.
  • Trains and supervises library assistants and students in cataloguing and associated duties.
  • Carries out cataloguing triage, referring items that involve straightforward copy cataloguing to library assistants.
  • Provides reference assistance regarding rare and semi-rare Chinese books in the RBSCL.
Terms of Appointment and Salary:
This position will be filled as a full time one year term position.
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/17191 by midnight on January 3rd, 2013.