What can I do with a B.A. in Japanese Studies?

Institution:      University of Southern California, USC Libraries
Location:         California, United States
Position:          Japanese Studies Librarian

POSITION SUMMARY
The University of Southern California (USC) Libraries seek an innovative librarian to build and promote a strong Japanese collection to support teaching and research at USC. The successful candidate will join the East Asian Library to support faculty and students from all departments and schools engaged in the use of Chinese, Japanese and Korean language materials.

USC LIBRARIES
The USC Libraries actively support the discovery, creation, and preservation of knowledge. We develop collections and services that support and encourage the academic endeavors of faculty, students, and staff; build a community of critical consumers of information; and help develop engaged world citizens. Through these means, we contribute to the continued success of the University of Southern California. The USC Libraries includes the Doheny Memorial Library and fourteen specialized libraries with an operating budget of approximately $41 million. Library collections encompass over 4.2 million volumes, 5.9 million microforms, 3.1 million images, 49,300 linear feet of manuscripts and archives, with access to over 113,800 serials in print and electronic formats, over 1,650 datasets, and nearly 724,000 e-books. For more information, visit www.usc.edu/libraries.

EAST ASIAN LIBRARY
The East Asian Library directly supports the research and teaching of the East Asian faculty and students at USC and includes in its collections Chinese, Japanese and Korean-language materials in all fields, but with an emphasis on social sciences and humanities. The Library’s location on the first floor of Doheny Memorial Library supports a broader mission of promoting the integration of East Asian perspectives into the learning and experience of the university community as a whole. For more information, see: http://www.usc.edu/libraries/locations/east_asian/

EAST ASIAN STUDIES CENTER
East Asian Studies in Southern California date from 1911, when USC opened a department of Oriental Studies and Comparative Literature. The East Asian Studies Center (EASC) was established in 1975 by the Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences to provide dedicated leadership, coordination, and support for the growing interdisciplinary education, research activity, and community outreach concerning East Asia. For almost forty years, EASC has been recognized as one of the nation’s leading centers for the development of East Asian area studies. USC is among a small group of elite colleges and universities to be designated a National Resource Center for East Asian studies by the U.S. Department of Education. For more information, see: http://dornsife.usc.edu/eascenter/

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES
The Japanese Studies Librarian reports to the Head of the East Asian Library and will:
• Oversees the collection of Japanese language materials related to Japan in multidisciplinary research fields.
• Responsible for developing and organizing the Japanese collection in all formats in support of the research and teaching of the Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences
• Managing the acquisitions funds, she/he selects titles to build a substantial collection capable of supporting graduate-level research of the USC faculty and students in Japanese studies
• Actively collaborates with efforts to supplement funding with support from grants and donations
• Works with the Technical Services staff on the technical processing of Japanese materials
• Directly consults with Japanese vendors, book dealers, and government/ institutional bodies in Japan to acquire research materials and information
• Develops and maintains user tools such as finding aids and research guides to aid and enhance access to the USC Japanese collection and other information resources
• Provides in-person and virtual reference assistance and research consultation to faculty, students, staff, alumni, and the general public to access and use all available Japanese collection and information resources
• Serves at the Doheny Library’s reference desk to provide general reference services

She/he will be required to work evenings and weekends.

FACULTY APPOINTMENT RANK/SALARY
Assistant University Librarian: Continuing Appointment track rank and salary commensurate with experience and qualifications. This is a full-time appointment.

For more information on Guidelines on Criteria and Qualifications for the Appointment, Promotion and Continuing Appointment of Librarians on the Continuing Appointment Track, see: http://www.usc.edu/libraries/about/faculty/documents/Criteria_document07152008.pdf

BENEFITS
This position is full-time on a 12-month contract. Benefits include a choice of retirement programs, 22 paid vacation days per year, university holidays, a choice of medical and dental plans, and tuition assistance for the faculty member, his or her eligible spouse and dependent children, tuition exchange for eligible faculty children, life insurance and various other benefits, see:
http://www.usc.edu/dept/Benefits/emp-ft.html

USC values diversity and is committed to equal opportunity in employment. Women and men, and members of all racial and ethnic groups, are encouraged to apply.

Minimum Qualifications

Minimum Education

MLS from an ALA-accredited program or non-U.S. equivalent is typically required for a librarian appointment at USC.

Minimum Experience

• A strong command of the Japanese language, both written and spoken
  • Knowledge of current professional trends, especially those relating to reference, instructional services, and collection development to serve a diverse population of users on and off-campus
  • Effective English oral and written communication skills
  • At least two years’ experience as a Japanese specialist in an academic or research library, including reference, instruction, and collection development responsibilities.

Preferred Qualifications

Preferred Education

Advanced degree in a Japanese studies discipline

Preferred Experience

• Knowledge of Japanese librarianship
  • Familiarity with the Japanese book trade and vendors
  • Experience in cataloging, including knowledge of AACR2, LCC, LCSH, OCLC/MARC tagging and RDA cataloging standards
  • Experience applying for and/or administering grants
  • Knowledge of the application of current information retrieval and other technologies to library services
  • Experience with web-authoring software

Additional Information

Special Instructions to Applicants

As part of the application, candidates must upload one document file (Word or PDF) that contains the following: 1) a cover letter, 2) a curriculum vitae (including telephone and e-mail address), and 3) a list of at least three references that includes the name, address, telephone number, and e-mail address for each referee.

Applications must be submitted via USC’s online faculty application website. To apply for this position: CLICK HERE

Contact: For more information about this position, contact Kenneth Klein, Chair of the Search Committee, at kklein@usc.edu