Skip to main content

Middle East Studies Librarian and Area Studies Collection Strategist

We are no longer accepting applications for this recruitment. Browse open recruitments

Position description

Middle East Studies Librarian and Area Studies Collection Strategist (Assistant, Associate or Full Librarian)

The University of California, Santa Barbara, is one of ten campuses that comprise the University of California system and is a member of the Association of American Universities. The University Library at UC Santa Barbara is a member of the Association of Research Libraries.

The expected effective date of this position is August 2021 or later.

DESCRIPTION
The Library of the University of California, Santa Barbara, seeks an innovative, forward-looking, service-oriented, and collaborative professional for an exciting opportunity to serve as Middle East Studies Librarian and Area Studies Collection Strategist.

UC Santa Barbara sponsors robust research activities and interdisciplinary academic programs in Global Studies and Area Studies and coordinates programs and research activities related to International Studies throughout the campus. Housed within the Institute for Social, Behavioral, and Economic Research (ISBER) at UC Santa Barbara, the Center for Middle East Studies (CMES) develops and supports programs that enhance public understanding of the Middle East and the interdisciplinary study of the Middle East. CMES affiliates have a wide array of expertise in Middle East history, politics, economics, religions, cultures, and languages. The Department of Religious Studies is home to a Middle East Studies Program, including an undergraduate major and language courses. The Orfalea Center for Global & International Studies and Department of Global Studies also provide arenas for interdisciplinary research and teaching in Middle East and Area Studies.

Reporting to the Director of Collection Strategies, the Middle East Studies Librarian and Area Studies Collection Strategist will be one of a team of four Librarians/Collection Strategists, an Analytics Coordinator, and a Library Assistant. The mission of the Collection Strategies Department is to implement strategic approaches that effectively steward the Library’s investment in research collections and scholarly content, and to increase the impact and reach of the UCSB’s scholarship by actively supporting, innovating, and advancing open and sustainable models for knowledge generation, dissemination, and publishing.

The incumbent will contribute to the strategic planning and allocation of Library resources for the acquisition and management of rich and diverse collections in Middle East and Area Studies. The incumbent will provide research and teaching support to UCSB faculty and students in Middle East Studies. The librarian will work collaboratively and closely with Area Studies subject librarians and other liaisons, and with faculty and students in a highly interdisciplinary and collaborative research community renowned for its academic excellence and global impact.

As part of the Collection Strategies Department, the incumbent will have the opportunity to lead the reshaping of the Library’s strategic approach to Area Studies collection development and management in order to cultivate a culture of assessment for a broad concept of research content that includes general research collections and support for open access.

RESPONSIBILITIES
Under the general direction of the Director of Collection Strategies and working with the Collection Strategies team, the Middle East Studies Librarian and Area Studies Collection Strategist:

Middle East Studies Librarian:
Is responsible for the development and management of collection materials in Middle East Studies.

Manages allocated collection funds to ensure timely and appropriate expenditure. Works closely with vendors and content providers in the Middle East.

Serves as the Library liaison to the Center for Middle East Studies.

Engages in outreach and communications with faculty and students in Middle East Studies to maintain awareness of academic programs and priorities, curricular developments, research methodologies, and faculty and graduate student research and teaching needs.

Provides research consultations to faculty and students in Middle East Studies engaged in traditional and emerging research practices.

Develops relevant assignments, and research guides in support of teaching and learning in Middle

East Studies, utilizing innovative instructional design principles.

Establishes and fosters relationships with donors and community members in partnership with the Library’s Development officer.

Participates in UC system-wide collaborative collection development initiatives for materials in Middle East and Area Studies.

Area Studies Collection Strategist:
Coordinates the collection development and management activities and planning for transdisciplinary and Area Studies collections and content. Actively collaborates with subject librarians for East Asian/Global Studies and Latin American & Iberian/Spanish & Portuguese Studies on developing new strategies and evidence-based methodologies for the acquisition of transdisciplinary and Area Studies content, its management, and assessment across formats (including print, digital, media, data, and other emerging formats) and across delivery platforms.

Consults with selectors and liaisons on collection development and management decisions for transdisciplinary and Area Studies collection and content.

Collaborates with staff in the Collection Strategies Department on developing methodologies that promote best practices in making informed collection development and management decisions and conducts regular content use reviews for Area Studies related content.

Implements innovative models and approaches to collection and content that effectively steward the library’s investment in transdisciplinary and Area Studies collections. Contributes to the departmental budget planning and funding allocations for the Library’s collections and content in

Area Studies based on quantitative and qualitative assessment strategies informing allocation of the Library’s collections budget.

Collaborates with library staff in technical services and other library units on developing consistent access, discovery, and stewardship methodologies for transdisciplinary and Area Studies content across their entire information lifecycle.

Evaluates opportunities and makes recommendations for redirecting the library’s investment in collections to resources with the greatest potential for transforming the system of scholarly communication toward open dissemination of research.

Professional growth activities

Represents UCSB on UC system-wide committees and ad-hoc groups related to collections initiatives in Middle East and Area Studies. Contributes to special projects as assigned.

Pursues learning and growth opportunities in areas related to duties and responsibilities. Contributes to professional organizations, University and public service, and engages in research activity. May also pursue professional growth activities in related areas to support desired career arc.

QUALIFICATIONS
Basic:
At the time of application, at least a Master’s degree in Middle East Studies, library science, or related field.

Additional:
Excellent written communication skills as evidenced by submitted materials including the CV, Cover Letter, and an optional but encouraged statement of diversity.

Preferred:
Ph.D. in Middle East Studies or in a related field;

Excellent reading and speaking knowledge of Arabic;

Reading knowledge of additional Middle East language(s) such as Persian, Hebrew, Turkish or other languages of the region;

Proven skills to gather, manage, assess, interpret, and present quantitative and qualitative data for varied audiences as demonstrated by work experience;

Knowledge of or demonstrated interest in current, evolving, and innovative models of collection development and scholarly communication;

Experience with libraries or work in an academic setting;

Demonstrated organizational skills sufficient to balance multiple priorities, deadlines, and changing project parameters;

Evidence of flexibility and initiative when working within a fast-paced, changing environment;

Demonstrated commitment to professional development;

Ability to work both independently and as part of a team, and to engage with colleagues from diverse backgrounds; and,

Demonstrated commitment to achieving equity, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace and the community.

SALARY AND BENEFITS
Salary commensurate with experience and qualifications. Salary information can be found at https://ap.ucsb.edu/compensation.and.benefits/ucsb.salary.scales/26B.pdf. Librarians at the University of California, Santa Barbara are professional academic appointees who accrue vacation at the rate of two days per month and sick leave at the rate of one day per month. The University has excellent retirement plans and a selection of group health, dental, vision, and life insurance plans. Benefits information can be found at https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/compensation-and-benefits/index.html.
The incumbent will be a member of the LX Collective Bargaining Unit represented by the American Federation of Teachers. Additional information can be found at https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/labor/bargaining-units/lx/index.html.

TO APPLY
Apply by April 11, 2021 for primary consideration, thereafter this position will remain open until filled. Only completed applications, including a CV, a cover letter, names and contact information for two references will be considered. An optional statement of contribution to diversity, and an optional statement of teaching are strongly encouraged.

Statements of contribution to diversity, if submitted, will be reviewed for evidence of teaching, research, professional and/or public service contributions that promote diversity and equal opportunity, such as effective strategies used for the educational advancement of students in various under-represented groups; demonstrated contributions to the advancement of equitable access and diversity in education; and contributions furthering diversity and equal opportunity in higher education through participation in such activities as recruitment, retention, and mentoring of scholars and students.

Applications will be accepted online through UC Recruit:
https://recruit.ap.ucsb.edu/JPF01953

Help for UC Recruit is available at https://recruit.ap.ucsb.edu/help/applicants
For additional assistance, contact Brandyn Gibson in Library Human Resources at (805) 893-2964 or bgibson@ucsb.edu

Appointment or continued employment is contingent on successful completion of a background check.

The Library is especially interested in candidates who can contribute to the diversity and excellence of the academic community through research, teaching, and service.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Application Requirements

Document requirements
  • Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.

  • Cover Letter

  • Statement of Contributions to Diversity - Statement addressing past and/or potential contributions to diversity through research, teaching, and/or service.
    (Optional)

  • Statement of Teaching (Optional)

Reference requirements
  • 2-3 required (contact information only)

Job location

Santa Barbara, CA