Princeton University Library Human Resources

Public Services Librarian
Department of Rare Books and Special Collections
Princeton University Library
Princeton, New Jersey
Requisition # 0700943

The Princeton University Library, one of the world's most respected research institutions, serves a diverse community of 6,600 students and 1,100 faculty members with more than 6 million printed volumes, 5 million manuscripts, and 2 million nonprint items. The holdings in its central library and 15 specialized libraries range from ancient papyri and incunabula to the most advanced electronic databases and digital collections. The Library employs a dedicated and knowledgeable staff of more than 300 professional and support personnel, complemented by a large student and hourly workforce. More information can be found at the Library's Web site: http://libweb.princeton.edu

Available: February 2008

Search Committee: (Princeton access only)

Responsibilities:
• delivers reference services efficiently to researchers using rare books, manuscripts and other materials, including security and proper handling of collections, including all incoming email, telephone, postal, faxed, and in-person reference inquiries;
• coordinates outreach to the campus community.
• develops in-depth knowledge of RBSC holdings in order to provide high-quality and specialized reference & instructional services, based on these materials, for in-person, telephone, and email inquiries.
• supervises all activities and staff related to the rare books and manuscripts reading room, including a number of duties: coordinating and providing responses to in-room reference queries; scheduling desk and paging coverage; training colleague staff in operations of the reading room as well as providing documentation for those operations; serving as lead person for technical matters relating to circulation of materials; handling course reserves; serving as liaison to inter-library services; administering policies governing use, reproduction, and preservation of materials; identify and locate materials for photo-duplication orders.
• handles the legal and business aspects of permissions to reproduce, publish, and broadcast
• working in conjunction with the public services staff in RBSC’s Mudd Library, in particular the public services archivist, develops, implements, and coordinates policies and procedures relating to access services for all researchers in the Department; gathers and reports reference service statistics on a monthly and quarterly basis.
• manages the Department’s webpage.
• contributes occasionally to on-site and virtual exhibitions.

QUALIFICATIONS:
Required: Appropriate academic background, such as MLS from an ALA-accredited library school and/or advanced degree in a subject area. Course work in bibliography, rare books librarianship, and archives; as well as knowledge of specialized printed and online reference sources for rare books, manuscripts, and archives. Equivalent work experience will be considered. As demonstrated by work or academic experience, excellent oral and written communications skills and excellent interpersonal skills, as well as subject research skills and conceptual skills essential to organizing library exhibitions. Supervisory experience in the management of professional librarians and support staff.Demonstrated strong commitment to quality reader services. Demonstrated understanding of research use of special collections, especially archives and manuscripts. Reading proficiency in one or more major Western European languages. Energy and human relations skills to handle the pressures of reference service with accuracy and poise. Must have outstanding organizational skills to balance the demands of daily operations with project and exhibition planning. Ability to communicate effectively and work well with colleagues and library patrons individually and in groups is essential. Ability to lift up to 30 pounds.
Preferred: Familiarity with desktop and World Wide Web applications to operations and use of special collections. Familiarity with an integrated cataloguing system as well as current online finding aids. Minimum of three years professional work experience in an academic research library. Experience with web design and exhibitions.

Successful candidates will:
Make a presentation to PUL staff on one of the following:
1.         Trends and best practices in special collections librarianship;
2.         Successful outreach strategies for students and faculty;
3.         Preparing undergraduates and graduate students to conduct research using primary sources

Compensation and Benefits:
Compensation will be competitive and commensurate with experience and accomplishments. Twenty-four (24) vacation days a year, plus eleven (11) paid holidays. Annuity program (TIAA/CREF), group life insurance, health coverage insurance, disability insurance, and other benefits are available.

Nominations and Applications:
Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. Nominations and applications (cover letter, resume and the names, titles, addresses and phone numbers of three references) will be accepted only from the Jobs at Princeton website: http://www.princeton.edu/jobs

PRINCETON UNIVERSITY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER.
For information about applying to Princeton, please link to
http://web.princeton.edu/sites/dof/ApplicantsInfo.htm