Assistant Librarian for Japanese Collections and Engagement

The posting

Job Description

Stanford Libraries seeks a full-time Assistant Librarian for Japanese Collections and Engagement (ALJCE) to join the East Asia Library. The Libraries values are rooted in a commitment of mutual respect, the idea that every member of the staff has something to contribute, and that learning is constant. We seek a team member who is ready to share their skills and perspectives.

About Stanford Libraries:

Stanford University Libraries are a dynamic network of resources, spaces and subject experts assembled with the mission to stimulate intellectual curiosity, sustain academic research and support teaching and learning. With over 12 million items, 50 subject specialists and 20 campus libraries, the opportunities for contributing to and transforming scholarship are infinite. By joining Stanford University Libraries, you will become a part of a vibrant, learning community of dedicated professionals who are committed to the important work of advancing scholarship.

About the Position:

Under the direction of the Director of the East Asia Library, the Assistant Librarian for Japanese Collections and Engagement is responsible for the development of the general collection of Japanese language materials, online guides for Japanese resources, and general reference and instruction (50%) as well as developing and implementing programming for increasing community engagement, including student-facing events, exhibits, and public tours (50%). ALJCE’s time is devoted to upkeep and expansion of the Japanese collection and deepening community engagement with EAL collections and spaces. Scholars and librarians with expertise in Japanese language, academic interest in areas covered by Stanford faculty (literature, colonial empire, geography, etc.), and enthusiasm for expanding the reach of EAL programming are invited to apply.

The East Asia Library (EAL), one of twenty libraries and centers that make up Stanford University Libraries, serves as the primar location for Stanford's extensive Chinese, Japanese, and Korean collections. With over 780,000 print volumes and more than 800,000 online volumes of books and journals in these Asian languages, EAL’s collections are extensive, encompassing archives and special collections, government documents, media, newspapers, and other unique materials. Over the years, EAL has become a vital academic hub at Stanford—supporting scholarship, teaching, and community engagement across Chinese, Japanese, and Korean studies, and increasingly serving as a key campus resource for Asian American history and experience. EAL’s impact is ever present across campus, as is visible in its active use.

• Vibrant User Base: EAL actively supports over 125 core faculty members and more than 60 graduate students in East Asian Studies.
• Active Community Hub: The library is a highly frequented destination, hosting:
• Multiple academic classes daily across two dedicated classrooms
• Weekly scholarly talks in a large lecture room
• Regular public exhibitions showcasing rare resources in Chinese, Japanese, and Korean
• Student-Centric Environment: As the most popular branch library among students, EAL is celebrated for its welcoming atmosphere, comfortable study spaces, and collaborative group study rooms.

Working with other EAL librarians and staff, the ALJCE develops outreach programming aimed at students, scholars, and community groups. Attending to the diversity of perspectives represented in the collections at EAL, the ALJCE crafts a balanced and engaging schedule of exhibits that highlights existing collections and resources. Engagement activities include conceiving and organizing regular student-facing outreach events and programming, exhibit openings as well as creatively promoting engagement with EAL collections and resources by the East Asian Studies community. Particular requirements include the management, research, design, and installation of physical exhibits and pop-up exhibits, and the creation of online exhibitions, and related promotion through events pages, announcements, etc. Other tasks associated with EAL programs may be assigned as needs emerge.

The ALJCE oversees the development of a general collection of Japanese language materials covering all areas of Japan’s presence in Asia and beyond. This position requires a person to creatively consider the types of scholarship that will support current and future faculty and

students and accurately cover Japan’s influence throughout Asia and the world. Materials collected will be in Japanese, but the geographic scope is not limited to contemporary Japan. The librarian will be the point of contact for students using Japanese language materials and will be expected to provide high-level reference support for both physical and electronic resources. They will work with faculty, students, and staff to develop digital projects, exhibits, and events related to the Japanese collection.

A cover letter and resume are required for consideration. This position is hybrid in accordance with Stanford University’s workplace policies.

Approved budgeted annual salary not to exceed: $99,000

Core Duties:

Japanese collections (50%)

• Build and maintain general collection for Japanese language materials, physical and electronic, ensuring it is up-to-date and relevant to current faculty and students. In conjunction with the Director of East Asia Library, manage the Japanese collections budget. Serve as liaison to Japanese Studies faculty and students, consulting and responding to teaching and research needs, keeping them apprised of latest resources, providing bibliographic and reference services. Provide superior service to library users through seminars, online guides, and reference consulting. Collaborate with faculty, students, and staff on classes, projects, online or in-person exhibits, and events.
• Collaborate with other librarians to assure coverage of interdisciplinary areas that lie outside conventional subject boundaries.
• Evaluate services and products and make recommendations for the upgrade of electronic and other resources. Survey online resources and gain access to those that are useful to Stanford University faculty and students.
• Manage donation process for general Japanese collection.
• Create and maintain Japanese collection online resource guides.
• Select materials for relocating to offsite storage and make decisions related to the need for evaluation by the Preservation department.
• Work closely with technical services staff on questions related to ordering, receiving and cataloging.
• Teach introductory collection and library resource classes as appropriate.
• Represent Stanford University Libraries in national and international Japanese librarian meetings and organizations.
• May manage staff or student staff.

Engagement (50%)

• Under the supervision of the Director of East Asia Library and collaborating with EAL subject specialist librarians, envision, propose, and develop events and programming to promote, market, and enhance awareness of library resources and engagement with library spaces, resources, and collections by library user communities. Proactively develop collaborations with other departments in Stanford Libraries system and various academic units on Stanford campus to organize events that help increase the prominence of the East Asia Library on campus and beyond and to broaden EAL’s user base, focused especially on undergraduates and local community members.
• Under the supervision of the Director of the East Asia Library, conceive, design, research, develop, and collaborate with colleagues to organize and mount exhibits in the main lobby space plus smaller exhibits on the third floor. Work with processing staff at EAL on preparation of metadata for digital/digitized and media collections prioritized for exhibits. Work closely with SUL partners in Preservation and exhibit management regarding local policies and best practices for curating physical and digitized collections. Manage exhibition budgets. Prepare physical objects for display in consultation with the Libraries’ Preservation Department and exhibition design experts. Establish system for documenting exhibits; maintain and process files for exhibits program archive. May present talks on exhibits and/or give tours.
• Coordinate the training of staff and student assistants in procedures for preparing and installing exhibits, handling and security protocols; supervise student staff working with ALJCE to research and install exhibits.
• Review and consult with the EAL director on proposals from faculty, students, and outside curators related to events, programs, exhibits.
• May assist with loans of items for on campus and external exhibitions, including coordinating the preparation of loan documentation and condition reports. Oversee policy compliance and coordinate the preparation of lending agreements for exhibitions as needed.
• In consultation with the Director of the East Asia Library and in collaboration with other EAL librarians, enhance access to and promote unique collections through blog posts, publications, online exhibits, or other forums. Oversee planning, design, accessibility, and content creation for online exhibits of Japanese materials.
• Collaborate with faculty, students, and staff on classes, projects, exhibits, and events.
• Assist in class instruction and provide support for various courses.
• Participate in various training opportunities and working groups related to policies and standards for marketing and promotion, exhibits, preservation. Following SUL branding guidelines, develop promotional materials for events and coordinate various event logistics.
• May oversee student assistants.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Education and Experience:

• Advanced Degree in East Asian Studies or related relevant academic discipline required. Degree in Library Science or Museum Studies with demonstrated understanding of academic libraries preferred. Two or more years of relevant experience in a relevant library setting or a combination of education and relevant experience preferred.

Minimum Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of Japanese history, literature, and culture, including expert level proficiency in Japanese language
• Knowledge of current research trends in Japanese studies.

• Knowledge of information resources related to Japanese materials in all formats. Demonstrated ability to evaluate online resources in terms of content quality, functionality, and user interface issues.
• Knowledge of trends in publishing industry and book trade in Japan.

• Demonstrated ability to provide expert level reference for Japanese language resources. Evidence of a strong service orientation.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in a team environment and across different groups.
• Understanding of contemporary library practices, trends, and emerging technologies.
• Commitment to contribute to the East Asia library at Stanford University and collaborate effectively with the rest of the SUL organization.
• Consistent display of excellent verbal and written communication skills, including strong presentation skills. Ability to write engaging descriptions to promote collections and/or projects.
• Supplemental knowledge of Chinese, Korean or other Asian language, as well as relevant history and/or literature preferred.

• Experience with event planning, exhibit preparation, academic writing and presentations preferred.