SALARY: $57,604 minimum salary.  The Smathers Libraries offer a salary commensurate with experience and credentials           

DEADLINE DATE: April 21, 2022 - applications will be reviewed as received

JOB SUMMARY

The History Librarian is a year-round (12 month), tenure-track library faculty position, in Library West, the Humanities & Social Sciences (H&SS) branch of the George A. Smathers Libraries, and is primarily responsible for the overall development, management, and coordination of the Libraries’ resources in all formats for history. The primary collection management focus of this position is general history but a knowledge of North American history, global history and intersections with humanities and social sciences will be a necessary secondary focus.

The position supports the University’s academic programs including the Department of History as well as interdisciplinary programs supported by the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Responsibilities include analyzing the University’s programs in and related to History, collaborating with librarians and academic faculty to establish collection profiles, selection guidelines, and preservation, location and cataloging priorities; and evaluating existing collection strengths and current collecting intensities. The position collaborates with other employees, providing support in the broader areas of the social sciences, especially overlapping, interdisciplinary areas, manages specialized subject area reference services, library instruction, and online database services, and participates in branch and libraries-wide outreach programming.

The Smathers Libraries are committed to creating a thoughtful, equitable, and inclusive culture that provides space for innovation and creativity. We support that commitment by offering a fulfilling work experience that allows for collaboration, growth, and development as well as shared perspectives.

To support all colleagues, students, faculty, and staff and foster excellence in a diverse and collaborative society, the libraries are actively seeking candidates who bring culturally-rich lived experiences to work with individuals of diverse backgrounds, experiences, races, ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations, and perspectives.

The library encourages broad participation in reaching decisions and consequently, the History Librarian will contribute to discussions and provide input and serve on various committees and teams.

The History Librarian will pursue professional development opportunities, including research, publication, and professional service activities to meet library-wide criteria for tenure and promotion.

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RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develops relationships and collaborates with appropriate academic faculty and students including those in the Department of History and interdisciplinary programs supported by the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Collaborates with and supports affiliated centers and programs such as the Bob Graham Center for Public Service, Election Science Group, Florida Survey Research Center, and Centers for African, European, Jewish, and Latin American Studies, Global Islamic Studies, and the program in American Indian and Indigenous Studies.
• Stays abreast of the development of academic programs and faculty interests to ensure that the Libraries’ collections and services support curriculum and research needs and informs clientele about relevant Libraries’ resources and services.
• Responsible for advanced reference and research consultation and instruction in support of history studies, including the development of LibGuides and other online resources.
• Participates in Library West general instruction initiatives using active learning methods in both traditional classroom and online settings and employing a variety of educational technologies.
• Defines goals, establishes objectives, plans and manages budgets, and coordinates collection development activities with other subject specialists, and librarians, with respect to resources for history and related collections.
• Analyzes the history collection development program and activities, and provides reports, strategies, assessments, and studies or surveys as required.
• Participates in the Humanities and Social Sciences general reference and research assistance program and the Smathers Libraries’ online, chat reference program.
• Actively engages in diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, supports diverse communities, and creates a welcoming environment for all.
• Engages in Library West and Libraries’-wide outreach and student engagement programming.
• Engages in professional development opportunities including research, publication, grants, and professional service activities to meet library-wide criteria for tenure and promotion.

Required:

• Master’s degree in Library or Information Science from an ALA-accredited (or foreign equivalent) program, or other relevant advanced degree in subject specialty with a minimum of two years of library work experience.
• Bachelor’s degree in general history or related social science or humanities discipline, or work experience in one of these subject areas.
• Familiarity with general history scholarly literature.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively with faculty, students, administrators, and the public.
• Initiative, flexibility, and the ability to adapt and work creatively in a complex, rapidly changing academic work
• Competence with information technologies and demonstrated effectiveness in integrating technology with traditional library services, resources, and instruction.
• Strong commitment to user-focused
• Demonstrated focus on including individuals of diverse backgrounds, experiences, races, ethnicities, gender identities, sexual orientation, and/or perspectives in research, teaching, service, or other work.
• Evidence of excellent interpersonal skills including oral and written communication, including presentation and/or teaching and/or training skills.
• Strong potential to meet the requirements for tenure and promotion outlined in the departmental by-laws.

Research indicates that applicants from underrepresented groups are hesitant to apply for positions if they do not meet all the required and preferred qualification.[1] We want to emphasize that the preferred qualifications – listed below - are not required and that we are committed to helping our future colleague develop the preferred skills. Additionally, applicants are encouraged to communicate how their work and other experiences satisfy the required qualifications in ways that may not be obvious.

Preferred:

• Advanced degree with specialization in North American or global history.
• Work experience in a library with extensive social sciences or humanities materials.
• Experience in collection management.
• Experience with, or coursework in, classroom instruction.
• Experience with, or coursework in, digital humanities.

[1] Schmaling, K. B., Blume, A. W., & Baker, D. L. (2017). Characteristics of Faculty Position Advertisements Associated with Applicant Diversity. Journal of Higher Education Theory & Practice, 17(8), 10–17.  Collier, D., & Zhang, C. (2016). Can We Reduce Bias in the Recruiting Process and Diversify Pools of Candidates by Using Different Types of Words in Job Descriptions? Mohr, T. S. (2014). Why Women Don’t Apply for Jobs Unless They’re 100% Qualified. Harvard Business Review, 25.