University of Chicago: Head of East Asian Technical Services

The University of Chicago Library seeks an innovative and experienced librarian for the position of Head, East Asian Technical Services.

Situated on a campus rich in architecture and green spaces, only minutes from downtown Chicago, and within walking distance of Lake Michigan, the University of Chicago provides a unique working and learning environment. Employees enjoy easy access to a range of housing and transportation options, cultural venues, culinary experiences, educational opportunities, and recreational activities.

World-renowned for the scope and scale of distinctive print and digital collections, the University Library curates the 9th-largest research collection in North America, with 11 million volumes in print and electronic form, and acquiring as many as 100,000 new print volumes annually. Housed in the Joseph Regenstein Library, the East Asian Collection holds a collection of more than 850,000 volumes in traditional formats in Chinese, Japanese and Korean languages as well as a substantial and growing collection of electronic resources. As one of the finest such collections in the country, it serves not only teaching and research needs of the faculty and students at the University of Chicago but also scholars in the region and throughout the country by its Interlibrary Loan and other library services.

Reporting to the Curator for the East Asian Collection, the Head of East Asian Technical Services is responsible for managing the technical services operations for all materials in the East Asian Collection. The technical services operations include acquisitions, receiving, cataloging, binding, and labeling activities that support bibliographic access and control of the collections. The Head supervises supporting staff members for technical services, coordinates the work and activities of the technical services staff members, and sustains communication with other departments of the Library, including the central Technical Services Department, Preservation Department, systems colleagues, and stacks management operations. The Head also leads and manages the unit's cataloging outsourcing project, and performs original cataloging for Chinese materials, especially for non-monographic materials.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:
In collaboration with the Curator and the central Technical Services Department of the Library, establish and update technical services policies, workflows, and procedures for East Asian (EA) that reflect changes and ensure efficiency and productivity. Supervise supporting staff and students; hire and train new employees, coordinating training with the central Technical Services Department as appropriate; provide performance appraisals for supervised staff. Motivate and manage staff to achieve unit goals and meet evolving requirements and standards for acquisitions, cataloging, and physical processing. Ensure that the work of the unit is responsive to user needs, and is in line with the Library's expectations for quantity and quality of the work. Oversee cataloging performed by Chinese, Japanese and Korean librarians. Maintain awareness of and leadership in advancing new developments in bibliographic control, metadata standards, emerging library linked data applications, innovative techniques and tools, as well as best practices for technical services. Serve as the resource person for the EA Collection on issues related to technical services, especially cataloging, including OCLC, our local Kuali-OLE system, national standards, and local policies and practices. Assume the role of problem solver for daily technical service operations; discuss the issues, problems encountered and possible solutions with the EA staff members involved, the Curator, and/or the central Technical Services Department, if necessary, to come up with solutions that are communicated clearly and understood by the staff involved. Manage the
cataloging outsourcing project to ensure its smooth implementation; serve as contact person to coordinate quality control, record loading, and communication with the service provider. Initiate and manage special projects of East Asian Technical Services. Perform some original cataloging for Chinese materials, especially non-monographic materials and electronic resources. Collect and compile statistics and submit an annual report of the technical services operations to the Curator. Serve on library committees, and be active professionally, both locally and nationally. Represent the East Asian Collection within the Library on technical services issues and bring the EA perspective to the Library's discussions as appropriate. Represent Chicago's East Asian Collection in local, regional and national forums such as CEAL on technical services issues, policies and practices.

Required Qualifications: Graduate library degree from an ALA-accredited library school or foreign equivalent plus substantial relevant experience; substantial cataloging experience in an academic/research library; supervisory experience; substantial experience with and excellent knowledge of cataloging standards, tools and resources pertaining to East Asian cataloging such as RDA, AACR2, LC subject headings and classification, MARC21 formats and authority files; fluency in English and Chinese languages with excellent oral and written communication skills including the ability to construct clear documentation; demonstrated ability to take initiatives, to prioritize work, to coordinate workflow, and to lead a team and/or project; strong analytical, organizational, and interpersonal skills; strong critical thinking and problem solving skills; enthusiasm for and ability to work in a team environment with diverse staff; excellent knowledge of Pinyin Romanization system for Chinese language.

Preferred Qualifications: substantial cataloging experience with materials in East Asian Languages; experience in managing related operations in an academic/research library, particularly with East Asian materials; experience designing and deploying training programs for staff; experience with LC-PCC Policy Statements, BIBCO, NACO and CONSER; cataloging experience with non-book materials and electronic resources; knowledge of another East Asian language; familiarity with the Romanization system for Japanese or Korean language; demonstrated strong computer skills; professionally active at the regional and/or national levels.

Salary and Benefits: Appointment salary based on qualifications and experience. Benefits include retirement plan, insurance, and paid time off. There is a tuition benefit plan for college age and younger children.

Apply for this position at http://academiccareers.uchicago.edu/applicants/Central?quickFind=54492

Applications received by April 15 will be assured of consideration. The position will remain open until filled.

The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination at http://www.uchicago.edu/about/non_discrimination_statement/ . Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5671 or email ACOppAdministrator@uchicago.edu with their request.