University of Alaska Fairbanks — Alaska & Polar Regions Area Studies and Government Information Librarian
Filed in Faculty on April 5, 2023
Position Summary:
The University of Alaska Fairbanks, Rasmuson Library seeks an Alaska and Polar Regions Area Studies/Government Information Librarian. This position serves the leading research university in Alaska, and requires an independent, out-going self-starter who is attentive to detail, and who is dedicated to meeting the information needs of UAF faculty, staff and students, as well as researchers worldwide. This amazing tenure-track faculty job opportunity will allow for maximal professional development growth, working with a fantastic and committed team of library faculty and staff. Your job will be to delve deep into the amazing, world-renowned Alaska and Polar Regions Collections & Archives (APRCA) to find information for patrons. Working with a collaborative team of instruction librarians, you’ll connect users to these resources, teach university students information literacy skills, and help to create a vibrant academic library environment in our subarctic community. Our special collections department, APRCA, provides exceptional resources for the study of Northern affairs with more than 150,000 monograph and serial volumes, 11,000 rare books and maps, 20,000 linear feet of archives and manuscripts, 1 million photographs, tens of thousands of historical films and videotapes, and over 11,000 hours of oral history recordings. Your role in this complex information landscape will be to build our circulating monograph and serial collections, as well as acquire e-book and e-journal collections needed for scholarship and research. You’ll also be coordinating our federal depository library program (FDLP), supported by our technical services department staff, with an eye toward materials of interest to researchers in Alaska and polar regions topics. For more information about our campus from the student perspective, check out our College Tour, https://www.uaf.edu/virtualtour/
Duties:
Alaska Collection management and outreach duties: Serving as subject specialist, select and manage print and digital information resources across disciplines relating to Alaska and polar (Arctic and Antarctic) regions, using current selection methods such as approval plans, online tools, publisher catalogs, and gifts. Collaborate with Collection Development and Engagement Librarian on budget allocations for collections. Liaise with faculty and students in History, Arctic and Northern Studies, Anthropology and other academic program areas as needed to meet information needs for Alaska and polar regions resources at UAF. Promote Alaska and polar regions collections to potential library users through a variety of methods, including but not limited to creating research guides, physical or digital exhibits, holding workshops, and providing other training and outreach opportunities as needed . Maintain current and comprehensive collection policy for Alaska and polar regions collections. Participate with APRCA department curators to host events, assist patrons with research needs, and engage with donors. Collaborate with Circulation Manager on overall shelving plan to accommodate changes in collection emphases and growth/reduction of subject areas.
Instruction and Reference: Teach two or more sections of LS101 or other UAF credit courses per year. Contribute to development of course readings, assignments or other curriculum, in collaboration with other LS faculty. Teach subject-based information literacy skills to students by developing instructional materials, and delivering course-related instruction upon request of campus faculty. Contribute to the development and delivery of reference services through regular online or in-person service hours.
Federal Depository collection management and outreach duties: Serve as the repository coordinator for the Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP). Network and receive training with other FDLP coordinators, participate in annual FDLP conferences as needed. Following FDLP procedures and policies and assisted by technical services staff, select and acquire needed collection resources with an emphasis on materials related to Alaska and polar regions research interests. Identify for withdrawal those materials replaced by permanently accessible online resources, or those no longer needed/out of date. Promote government documents collections to library users through a variety of methods, including creating research guides, physical or digital exhibits, holding workshops, or providing other training opportunities as needed.
Faculty and professional responsibilities: Fulfill tenure-track faculty research responsibilities by pursuing scholarly activities including peer-reviewed publication, in subjects related to northern or polar regions, Alaska history or similar research areas. Participate in faculty shared governance including committees or other service activities. Participate in job-related professional organizations at international, national and state levels. Other duties as assigned.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES:
REQUIRED:
- Education, knowledge of, or experience in Alaska, northern studies, history, or other related academic discipline
- Knowledge of trends in or experience working with government information resources
- Experience in teaching, training or presenting
- Experience with web-based instructional and office technologies, such as course management systems, online meeting software, document and file sharing applications, and calendar systems
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
- Participation in library outreach activities
PREFERRED:
- Scholarly background in Alaska or northern studies subject areas
- Collection development experience
- Reading knowledge of Russian language
- Academic library work experience
- Ability to complete projects both independently and as part of a team
- Experience teaching information literacy
PREFERRED EXPERIENCE:
2 or more years of professional experience working in libraries
REQUIRED EDUCATION OR TRAINING:
Master’s Degree from an ALA-accredited library and information studies program or equivalent.
SALARY INFORMATION:
This is a full-time, 9-month (with option for added 3 months) , faculty position complete with both a competitive salary and full employee benefits package.
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS TO APPLICANTS:
APPLY ONLINE: https://careers.alaska.edu/en-us/job/524274/alaska-polar-regions-area-studies-and-government-information-librarian-tenuretrack
Please attach a resume, cover letter, and the names and contact information for three (3) professional references with your application.
Applications must be received by 11:59pm April 30, 2023 in order to be considered.
