RUTGERS, THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW JERSEY

August 29, 2022                                      ACADEMIC POSITION PROFILE                                   APP22FA0995   TITLE:   Black Studies Librarian, Librarian of Practice (Non-Tenure Track) Rutgers University Libraries – New Brunswick Libraries Responsibilities: The Rutgers University Libraries seek an innovative, collaborative and service-oriented librarian to serve as Black Studies Librarian.  This new grant-funded position will support the work of the Black Bibliography Project (https://blackbibliog.org), an Andrew W. Mellon Foundation supported project based at Yale University and Rutgers (https://www.rutgers.edu/news/rutgers-researcher-developing-digital-bibliography-black-authors-and-print-work). Working with a team of faculty, librarians, technicians, and students across both institutions, the position will carry out data curation activities surfacing the publication histories of Black print of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, as well as relationships among Black writers, publishers, and readers. It is expected that the Librarian will develop and contribute expertise in descriptive bibliography and linked data in order to test and implement the BBP's data model. The position will also work with the Scarlet and Black Research Center (https://www.scarletandblack.org), whose digital archive documents Black history in New Jersey, starting with the connections between slavery and the university and leading up to the present day. In addition to contributing to these projects, the Black Studies Librarian will be the subject liaison to the Department of Africana Studies and the Center for African Studies with responsibilities in reference, instruction, and collection development. The Black Studies Librarian will:

• engage with students and faculty who study Black history and culture to provide instruction, research, consultation, and outreach
• develop and manage inclusive and accessible collections in support of Black and Africana Studies
• participate in a dynamic and proactive information literacy program
• contribute to digital and public humanities initiatives
• foster close intellectual partnerships between the Libraries and the academic community
• support new modes of scholarly communication
• build partnerships and co-curricular collaborations that advance teaching and learning; participate in university-wide initiatives, committees, and task forces as appropriate to the role

Reporting to the Associate University Librarian for Rutgers-New Brunswick, the Librarian will serve as a member of the New Brunswick Libraries Faculty. This is a grant funded, non-tenure-track faculty position, with a three-year term of appointment. QUALIFICATIONS: Requirements: 

• Master’s degree from an ALA accredited library school and/or advanced degree in relevant academic disciplines
• Academic background or professional experience demonstrating expertise in Black Studies.
• Familiarity with reference and instruction in an academic setting
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work collegially in a team-oriented environment
• A demonstrated commitment to foster diversity, equity, and inclusion

Preferred:

• An advanced degree in a relevant field
• Minimum of one year of professional experience in Black Studies
• Experience with digital humanities tools and/or methodologies
• Familiarity with metadata in the context of digital humanities projects, especially descriptive bibliography for rare print materials
• Familiarity with linked open data, digital archives and exhibits, and experience using Wikibase and Omeka

It should be noted that preferred qualifications are not required and the Libraries are committed to enabling the colleague recruited for this position to develop those skills. Individuals with an interest in the position who meet the required qualifications are strongly encouraged to apply. SALARY:  Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.   STATUS/BENEFITS:  Faculty status; 12-month appointment; retirement plan; life/health insurance; prescription drug, dental, and vision plans; tuition remission; 22 vacation days annually. LIBRARY PROFILE: Rutgers University Libraries seek to create an inclusive and welcoming environment for learning and work for the students, faculty, and staff of the University. The Libraries actively embrace the Rutgers vision of a “beloved community” defined by a commitment to work together to embody, reflect, and respect the complexities and differences of all our parts. The Libraries serve all institutions that make up Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey: Rutgers University–New Brunswick, Rutgers University–Newark, Rutgers University–Camden, and Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences. The Libraries have a highly valued staff of about 300, who are committed to innovation in access services, information literacy, and digital initiatives. Rutgers University Libraries operate with a budget of $45 million and have outstanding collections, especially in jazz and New Jerseyana. Collectively, the Libraries’ holdings include more than 4.8 million volumes. The Libraries hold memberships in ARL, BTAA, CNI, CRL, Lyrasis, NERL, PALCI, ValeNJ, SPARC (and COAPI), and use Ex Libris’ Alma and Primo, and OCLC. Rutgers University–New Brunswick As the flagship of Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Rutgers University–New Brunswick supports over 50,000 graduate and undergraduate students in approximately 100 undergraduate programs, more than 80 graduate/professional programs, and 60 doctoral programs. Ranked by US News & World Report as among the top 25 public universities, Rutgers–New Brunswick is classified as an R1 Doctoral University (Highest research activity) by the Carnegie Classification. Spanning New Brunswick, Piscataway, and adjacent towns in central New Jersey, Rutgers–New Brunswick is accessible by public transit. TO APPLY:  REVIEW OF APPLICATIONS AND INTERVIEWS WILL BEGIN IMMEDIATELY AND CONTINUE UNTIL THE POSITION IS FILLED. SUBMIT RESUME, COVER LETTER, AND NAMES OF THREE REFERENCES:   https://jobs.rutgers.edu/postings/178415   All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of all pre-employment screenings.   It is university policy to provide equal employment opportunity to all its employees and applicants for employment regardless of their race, creed, color, national origin, age, ancestry, nationality, marital or domestic partnership or civil union status, sex, pregnancy, gender identity or expression, disability status, liability for military service, protected veteran status, affectional or sexual orientation, atypical cellular or blood trait, genetic information (including the refusal to submit to genetic testing), or any other category protected by law. As an institution, we value diversity of background and opinion, and prohibit discrimination or harassment on the basis of any legally protected class in the areas of hiring, recruitment, promotion, transfer, demotion, training, compensation, pay, fringe benefits, layoff, termination or any other terms and conditions of employment. For additional information please see the Non-Discrimination Statement at the following web address:  http://uhr.rutgers.edu/non-discrimination-statement The Libraries are strongly and actively committed to diversity, and seek candidates who will contribute creatively to the University’s multicultural environment.

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