Job: Russian and East European Studies Librarian Position, University of Pennsylvania

Follow this link to Apply: https://wd1.myworkdaysite.com/en-US/recruiting/upenn/careers-at-penn/details/Russian-and-East-European-Studies-Librarian_JR00050954?q=russian&timeType=6d8964d0eaac01510778bc79b9058000

Job Description

Duties:

Collection Development. Reporting to the Director, Center for Global Collections the Russian and East European Studies Librarian selects scholarly resources in all formats from and about Russia, the former Soviet Union, East Europe and about members of Slavic diasporas globally in a wide range of subjects and formats in support of Penn’s current and anticipated academic programs and in consultation with faculty members. The librarian selects resources in Slavic languages such as Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian, Czech, Estonian, Hungarian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Polish, Russian, and Ukrainian. The selection of resources in Western languages (e.g., English, French, German, and Italian) is also an essential component of the job. Collection development responsibilities include budget and fund management, endowments stewardship, approval plan oversight, gift review, collaboration with collections librarians in making major purchases, and reviewing trends in publishing modes and practices. The librarian will build and maintain collections that are diverse, forward-looking, and appropriate to Penn's Russian and East European studies community.

Reference, instruction, and liaison services. The Russian and East European Studies Librarian develops strong working relationships with and provides specialized reference, instruction, and academic liaison services to Penn faculty and students, both undergraduate and graduate, with research interests in East Europe in all departments and schools where they are included as topics of study. They are responsible for providing group and individual instruction and consultation for basic and advanced research and for academic courses and will provide library support for aspects of scholarly communication including copyright and publishing guidance and related scholarly services. The librarian develops and maintains the East European collections web presence including LibGuides and Collection Development Policies and participates in library-wide services such as general research assistance (e.g., library chat, student engagement programming, orientations and tours) and library instruction outside of designated liaison areas. The librarian will work with colleagues to create a learning environment that is inclusive and welcoming and that supports the University’s diverse community.

Acquisitions and cataloging. The Russian and East European Studies Librarian, working together with Global Studies Technical Services, participates in the process of acquisition and bibliographic control of all types of resources in East European languages. The incumbent may perform original cataloging and complex copy cataloging while also providing appropriate classification and subject analysis according to national and local standards. The librarian will build collaborations with peer library partners and community members to facilitate local-language cataloging.

Collaboration. The Russian and East European Studies Librarian works collaboratively with colleagues across the whole of the Penn Libraries, especially those in area studies and with campus constituencies such as the Russian and East European Studies Department (REES), the Russian, Eastern European, and Eurasian Studies Working Group, Penn Language Center, and donors related to the East European Studies collection. The librarian works together with colleagues in technical services to set priorities for processing and to manage acquisition workflows. The librarian will contribute to instruction work, special initiatives, and professional development across the Libraries, helping to foster a collaborative environment and bringing a global perspective to the broader work of the Libraries. The librarian will also participate in the larger field of East European Studies librarianship on the national and international levels with particular emphasis on fostering collaboration.

Qualifications: 

Required: 

1. Master's degree from an ALA-accredited library school or a minimum of three years of relevant professional experience with the equivalent in education and training. 

2. Advanced knowledge of Russian, former Soviet Union or East European history, literature, and culture.

3. Knowledge of the publishing industry related to East European Studies and throughout East Europe.

4. Familiarity with the major bibliographic tools (print and electronic) for East European and Slavic Studies.

5. Proficiency in at least one Slavic language with a preference for Russian.

6. Experience working collaboratively and independently with varied groups within a complex organization and rapidly changing work environment as well as the ability to work independently and collegially with librarians and users.

Preferred:

1. Graduate degree in field related to East European Studies.  

2. Experience in collection development and management, including managing a subject materials acquisition fund.

3. Breadth of knowledge of current and developing patterns of scholarship and publishing in relevant fields of study and commitment to the international and interdisciplinary strengths of Penn’s academic programs.

4. Knowledge of scholarship and publishing related to Central Asia.

5. Interest in diversity, equity, inclusion, and access in building, maintaining, and delivering library collections and services. 

6. Experience using bibliographic utilities for searching and cataloging in non-Roman scripts.

7. Demonstrated excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills.

Application Requirement:

A Cover Letter and Resume/CV are required to be considered for this position. Please upload your Cover Letter where it asks you to upload your Resume/CV; multiple documents are allowed.