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 14 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 collection of over 7M items includes 1.4M ebooks, 229,020 electronic journals, 850,000 maps, audio, DVD/video and graphic materials, and 1,703 bibliographic and fulltext databases.
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. The UBC Library Strategic Plan 2015-2017 can be viewed at http://about.library.ubc.ca/strategic-plan/. To learn more about working with UBC Library and to explore our aspirational values visit UBC Library - Why work with us.
The Asian Library is a hub of scholarship, learning and community connections, where research meets community. The Asian Library’s collections, totalling over 637,000 volumes across Chinese, Japanese, Korean and Indic languages, provide key resources in support of teaching and research of Asian studies. The Council on East Asian Libraries consistently ranks UBC among the best in the world—#1 in Canada and #12 in library holdings across North America. The Asian Library’s rare and special materials further distinguish it as a top-tier research library. For more information about the Asian Library, please visit us at http://asian.library.ubc.ca/.
SUMMARY OF RESPONSIBILITY:
Provides reference, information services and collection development in support of Korean studies. Assumes responsibility for liaison with scholars working with Korean language materials. Provides instruction and assistance in the use of information resources. Supervises the handling and recording of Korean materials. Acts as liaison with the Korean specialists at the University and the Korean-Canadian community, and serves on the University’s Korean Studies committees. Participates in selection, configuration and presentation of electronic resources in Korean languages. Participates in the development of library policy, procedures, and services as required. May be required to work evenings or weekends. Performs other assigned duties and related projects.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Required:
- Graduate degree from an accredited school of Library, Archival and Information Science.
- Academic background in Korean history and literature.
- Excellent proficiency in reading, written and spoken Korean, as well as an excellent command of spoken and written English.
- Familiarity with the bibliography of Korean language material.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills.
- Knowledge of Hancha and the McCune-Reischauer Romanization systems.
- Strong computer skills, including word-processing for English and Korean, as well as knowledge of bibliographic databases.
- Demonstrated ability to initiate, plan and carry out projects, both independently and as a member of a team.
- Knowledge of electronic information technologies and their applications to reference, as well as knowledge of best practices in online learning pedagogies.
- Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively as a member of a team.
- Ability to adjust to and accommodate changing demands within Libraries and academic institutions.
- Experience in an academic library setting.
- Knowledge of RDA, AACR2, LCSH, LC Classification is strongly preferred.
- Experience in using OCLC.
- Working knowledge of Japanese and Chinese.
- Familiarity with the UBC Library system.
- Familiarity with the UBC Asian Studies department.
WORKING RELATIONSHIPS:
Reports to the Head, Asian Library. Consults with colleagues, faculty members, and the Library Development Office, as necessary. Works with the Technical Services staff on the cataloguing and processing of Korean language materials. May supervise the work of library support staff and student assistants.
DUTIES:
Reference, Instruction and Liaison Services
1. Provides comprehensive reference and research services in Korean studies. Develops web resources to support and extend reference services. Assists users in locating Korean materials from other East Asian collections in North America as well as Korea and facilitates inter-library loans when required.
2. Develops and participates in instructional programs related to the Korean language collection and the use of information sources. Undertakes specialized instructional programs. Prepares guides and handouts in electronic and paper formats and organizes user groups on the advanced use of electronic resources. Participates in Library orientations and bibliographic instruction programmes for new students, faculty, and staff.
3. Acts as liaison between the Asian Library and the Korean specialists at UBC in matters concerning the Korean collections and Library services and other units in the Library System in matters concerning Korean materials.
4. Translates Korean into English and English into Korean within the framework of the services and practices of the Asian Library.
Technical Services, Collection Development and Management
1. Selects material for the Korean language collections and both print and electronic material from the collection for storage, according to curricular and research needs of faculty and students. Suggests new print and electronic serials titles based on faculty needs and monitors and evaluates the Korean language periodical collections. Assists in the development of collection policies.
2. For electronic material in Korean, works with the Head and other library staff to create access and resolve user support issues, which may include licensing, systems configuration, presentation and evaluation.
3. Selects monographs and serials in print and electronic format. Consults with the Head and the AUL, Collections Management in cases of expensive and rare materials.
4. Identifies Korean language materials that should be moved to a storage facility, or weeded from the collection.
5. Assesses, selects, and processes Korean materials received through gift or exchange. Initiates requests of book donations from individuals or organizations. Performs monetary evaluations as required.
6. Maintains and facilitates access to the Korean special collections.
7. Keeps up with literature and research developments in support of the Asian Library. Maintains expertise in electronic information resources and technologies and assists in the acquisition and application of Korean software for technical services.
8. Serves as the Library’s representative to the Korean Collections Consortium of North America and participates in the Consortium’s activities and projects.
9. Manages the Korean book funds. Assesses, selects and processes materials received as gifts or on exchange. Does monetary evaluations as required.
10. Advises and assists regarding Korean monographs and serials for binding.
11. Works closely with Technical Services staff regarding acquisition and cataloguing of Korean materials.
Community Engagement
1. Serves as liaison with the Korean-Canadian Community.
2. Prepares or curates a book displays or exhibits on Korea or Korean Studies.
3. Organizes community engagement activities or events related to Korea or Korean Studies.
TERMS OF APPOINTMENT AND SALARY:
This is a 0.5 FTE term appointment that will end on December 23, 2016.
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/22868 by midnight on April 4, 2016.
