The University of Chicago Library empowers users with deep and rich collections, extensive expertise, innovative programs, and diverse spaces. We are committed to cultivating an inclusive community, enhancing access to scholarly resources, advancing digital scholarship, engaging locally and globally, and excelling in a changing environment. Home to one of the most comprehensive and dynamic East Asian collections, The University of Chicago is an active partner and collaborator in both the Big Ten Academic Alliance and the Ivy Plus Libraries.
The Library is seeking a collaborative, service-oriented, and forward-thinking individual for the position of Korean Studies Librarian. The Korean Studies Librarian manages the Korean Studies collection and develops and delivers research services to a wide range of users across the University, as well as engages in community, to support new methods and innovations in research. The ideal candidate possesses skills and abilities to help transform collections, instruction, outreach, and reference and is creative in solving problems in a collaborative environment.
Responsibilities:
Reporting to the Director of the East Asian Collection, the Korean Studies Librarian will perform the following duties, but not limited to:
- Serve as liaison to the Korean Studies students and faculty across departments, professional schools, and programs
- Contribute to the development, promotion, preservation, and assessment of interdisciplinary, multi-format, and intersectional collections that serve the wide-ranging needs of students and faculty
- Participate in the cooperative collection development program of the Korean Collections Consortium of North America and work with the Korean Studies Librarian and/or East Asian Studies Librarian in the Big Ten Academic Alliance and the Ivy Plus Libraries for collaborative collection development and/or services
- Collaborate with other subject librarians as appropriate to provide research services and outreach and participate in digital initiatives
- Perform original and complex copy cataloging for Korean language materials following national and local standards
- Participate in departmental and library-wide projects, initiatives, committees and task forces
- Contribute to the profession through engagement with colleagues across the library and other peer networks
- Perform other duties as assigned
Required:
- Master’s degree from an ALA accredited institution of library and information science or advanced degree in a relevant academic discipline
- Demonstrated native or bilingual proficiency in written and spoken Korean and excellent oral and written communication skills in English
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively, as part of a team and independently, in a culturally diverse and constantly changing environment
Preferred:
- Advanced knowledge of Korean history, literature, and culture
- Knowledge of Korean publishing industry, book trade, and latest developments in Korean resources
- Demonstrated knowledge of current relevant library trends and issues
- Experience working in an academic library
- Experience working with cataloging and/or acquisitions modules in a library management system
- Knowledge of other East Asian languages
- Demonstrated user-centered commitment to public service, including outreach and service excellence
- Demonstrated commitment to continuing education and active involvement in the library profession
- Demonstrated commitment to achieving diversity and inclusion in the workplace and the community