THE GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
THE GELMAN LIBRARY SYSTEM
Position: I. Edward Kiev Judaica Collection Librarian
Library Assignment: Gelman Library System
Primary Location: The Gelman Library, The George Washington University
Appointment Rank and Salary:
Appointment at the rank of Librarian II (minimum salary
$45,000). Rank and salary based on qualifications and experience.
The Gelman Library System seeks applications for the position of the
I. Edward Kiev Judaica Collection Librarian. The successful
candidate will be an enthusiastic and innovative librarian able to
manage the I.E. Kiev Judaica Collection and Reading Room, a
constituent unit within Special Collections; perform collection
development for the collection in English, Hebrew, German and other
languages; maintain the physical collection; document the collection
in print publications, on the web, and in other written formats; and
design outreach programs and public services, including curating
exhibits, utilizing the Kiev collection materials.
The I.E. Kiev Judaica Collection was established in 1996 with the
donation of the personal library of Rabbi I. Edward Kiev, chief
librarian of Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in New
York City. The original donation of about 18,000 books, pamphlets,
and periodicals, as well as manuscripts, graphics, artifacts, maps
and Jewish music, has grown to over 22,000 volumes. The majority of
materials date from the 18th through the 20th century, but there are
also works that date back to the 15th century. The collection covers
the range of Jewish studies, from biblical exegesis and archeology to
Jewish history and Modern Hebrew literature. These volumes are not
only diverse in age and subject areas, but are written in several
languages: about 45% of the works are in English, 30% in Hebrew, and
20% in German. The collection is housed in its own reading room in
the Gelman Library.
Special Collections also incorporates the Washingtoniana Collections,
the University Archives, the Africana Research Center and the Mount
Vernon Campus Archives and Special Collections. The GLS staff
participate in the Association of Research Libraries, the Washington
Research Library Consortium, the Chesapeake Information and Research
Library Alliance, and the Northeast Research Libraries Consortium.
Responsibilities:
The I. Edward Kiev Collection Librarian is responsible for the
collection development of the Kiev collection. In addition, he/she
serves as the primary contact person for students, faculty, and other
researchers doing research in the Kiev collection and routinely
interacts with patrons in person, via email, and via telephone. The
Kiev Librarian manages operations of the I. Edward Kiev Collection
Reading Room, including the hiring and training of students and/or
other hourly staff; performing routine description of materials in
Hebrew, English, and German using Special Collections re:Discovery
software. The Kiev Librarian plans and implements outreach and
community relations activities to raise awareness of the Kiev
Collection. As a member of the Gelman Library System staff, the Kiev
Librarian is expected to participate in Library-wide activities and
to serve on Library & University committees, as appropriate. The
position reports to the Head of Special Collections.
Basic Qualifications:
ALA-accredited MLS; minimum 2 years increasingly responsible post-MLS
experience in a special collections/archives setting; experience
soliciting and acquiring collections; experience employing digital
technologies for access to collections; current awareness of special
collections and archives standards, practices, issues, and trends.
Creative programming (donor events, exhibit openings, etc.) experience.
Fluency in written Hebrew.
Additional Selection Criteria:
Commitment to user-centered public services.
Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills.
Ability to take initiative and work both independently and
collaboratively throughout the Department and the Library System.
Ability to work effectively and creatively in a culturally diverse,
rapidly changing, and technologically complex environment.
Commitment to learn and use emerging technologies in the provision of
library collections and services.
Knowledge of established and evolving standards for digitization,
processing and preservation of materials in a variety of formats.
Ability to plan large, complex projects.
Ability to create positive relations with donors and support groups.
Experience, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Preferred:
Experience with Re:Discovery.
Knowledge of Dspace, Greenstone, or other digital repository systems.
Experience planning, researching, and preparing exhibits.
Record of successful fund raising and donor cultivation.
Ability to apply systems thinking and use teamwork in problem-solving
and decision-making.
Fluency in written German.
Cataloging experience.
Evidence of significant coursework in Judaic Studies.
Review Date:
Review of applications will begin on January 2, 2007 and will
continues until the position is filled.
Application Procedure:
To be considered please send a letter containing a brief statement of
interest, submit an assessment of skills related to qualification in
the basic qualification, a curriculum vitae and complete contact
information for at least 3 reference to:
Emma Mosby
Manager, Gelman Library System Administrative Services
The Gelman Library Administration Office
The George Washington University
The Melvin Gelman Library
2130 H St. NW, Room 201
Washington, DC 20052
The University and department have a strong commitment to achieving
diversity among librarians and staff. We are particularly interested
in receiving applications from members of underrepresented groups and
strongly encourage women and persons of color to apply for this position.
The George Washington University is an equal opportunity/affirmative
action employer.
Shmuel Ben-Gad,
Gelman Library,
George Washington University.
"The world is indeed full of peril, and in it there are many dark
places; but still there is much that is fair, and though in all lands
love is now mingled with grief, it grows perhaps the greater."
--Haldir of Lothlorien
Messages and opinions expressed on Hasafran are those of the individual author
and are not necessarily endorsed by the Association of Jewish Libraries (AJL)
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