Smithsonian Institution

Librarian (Asian Art) (IS-1410-13) Job at Smithsonian Institution in Washington

Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC, US

Job Description

Description

OPEN DATE: November 22, 2024

CLOSING DATE: December 22, 2024

POSITION TYPE: Trust Fund

APPOINTMENT TYPE: Indefinite

SCHEDULE: Full Time

DUTY LOCATION: Washington, DC
Position sensitivity and risk: Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

Open to all Qualified Applicants

What are Trust Fund Positions?

Trust Fund positions are unique to the Smithsonian. They are paid for from a variety of sources, including the Smithsonian endowment, revenue from our business activities, donations, grants and contracts. Trust employees are not part of the civil service, nor does trust fund employment lead to Federal status. The salary ranges for trust positions are generally the same as for federal positions and in many cases trust and federal employees work side by side. Trust employees have their own benefit program, which may include Health, Dental & Vision Insurance, Life Insurance, Transit/Commuter Benefits, Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance, Annual and Sick Leave, Family Friendly Leave, 403b Retirement Plan, Discounts for Smithsonian Memberships, Museum Stores and Restaurants, Credit Union, Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center (Child Care), Flexible Spending Account (Health & Dependent Care).

Conditions of Employment

Pass Pre-employment Background Check and Subsequent Background Investigation for position designated.
Complete a Probationary Period.
Maintain a Bank Account for Direct Deposit/Electronic Transfer.
The position is open to all candidates eligible to work in the United States. Proof of eligibility to work in U.S. is not required to apply.
Applicants must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.

OVERVIEW

This position is located within the National Museum of Asian Art (NMAA) Library, Smithsonian Libraries and Archives (SLA), Undersecretary for Science and Research, Smithsonian Institution (SI). Co-administered by NMAA and SLA, the position is located within the NMAA and is officially supervised by the SLA Associate Director for Research Libraries in conjunction with the NMAA Senior Associate Director for Research.

The SLA is the world's largest museum library and archives system and provides authoritative information and innovative services for SI researchers and curators, as well as scholars and the public worldwide, to further their quest for knowledge. With a collection of over 100,000 volumes of materials on Asian arts and cultures, the National Museum of Asian Art's Library, which was founded together with the Freer Gallery of Art in 1923 and is an integral part of the collections together with museum's holdings of works of art and related turn-of-the century American painting, art conservation, and allied disciplines, the Library serves for the Smithsonian's two Asian art museums. It collects, conserves, and makes available its collections, provides a full range of services in support of research, exhibition, publication, and education programs of the institution as well as outside scholars, students, and the public. With a half of the collection in East Asian languages and its long history, the Library is one of the most important Asian art research libraries in North America.

The primary purpose of the Head Librarian position at NMAA is to administer the NMAA Research Library operations, and to carry out library programs in accordance with SI, SLA, and NMAA policies. The position is responsible for assigning personnel, developing and managing the library collections to facilitate research, to make collections and research services available to the public, planning use of library spaces at NMAA, and to support the museum's programs.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Library Program Development and Implementation

Formulates, develops, coordinates, and directs the NMAA Research Library programs and operations; develops and implements policies, procedures, and guidelines for the NMAA library operations in accordance with the missions and programs of the NMAA and the SLA; formulates and directs long-range planning for the collection development and for improvement of library services and spaces, both for physical and digital access for Smithsonian researchers, scholars, and the interested public.
Anticipates research needs by directing staff to develop specialized information sources and compiles information packages for clientele and prepares a broad range of literature guides and resource directories.
Directs staff to provide advanced scholarly researcher support in multiple languages and which may include systematic literature reviews, data management guidance, and citation management training.
Directs staff to develop and implement training and instruction programs for research staff, interns, fellows, and other clientele on the content, nature, and use of print and non-print library resources.
Directs library services such as circulation and interlibrary loan for this library research center.
In support of SLA's public services mission, participates in research education and outreach activities.
Provides advanced reference and research consultations, maintains online research guides, and keeps abreast of relevant technology to support the work of a 21st century research library.
Conducts orientations and, exhibits, and/or participates in social media and/or digital initiatives projects involving library research centers throughout SLA.
Develops, justifies, and submits budget projections for library operations, working within NMAA's guidelines; monitors annual budget spending; approves and authorizes purchases and payment.
Collaborates with SLA Discovery and Technical Services staff for approval plan oversight, selection of materials in all formats, gift review, and electronic resource acquisition.
Develops funding support proposals for NMAA Library projects or materials.
Develops strong relationships with NMAA museum curators, SLA colleagues, and affiliated researchers pan-institutionally across the Smithsonian, and works collaboratively with SLA research librarians to holistically identify and meet expectations of global and pan-institutional researchers for collections and services. Represents SLA and NMAA at attendance and participation in professional associations, seminars, and conferences, and in collaboration with internal and external SI partners.
Conducts library research on relevant Asian Art topics to enhance the NMAA Collections.

Planning and Administration

Keeps abreast of the latest developments in library science and information technology, especially the role of digital initiatives, publication, etc. in the field, evaluates and applies them, especially to issues regarding Asian vernacular languages, as necessary.
Initiates and directs planning for the development and expansion of the library collections and space; establishes collection development policies, book selection procedures and selection criteria according to the NMAA's art collections and research programs; gives final approval on selection of materials. Selects, interprets, and manages collections of scholarly print and electronic materials primarily in East Asian languages, published in the field of Asia and Asian studies (primarily arts and humanities disciplines).
Conducts collection development, or collection development of archival and special collections.
Manages the library's collections budget for monographs and serials. Supervises all acquisitions by purchase and gift/exchange to ensure the comprehensiveness of the library collection, including the receiving, processing, and payment of materials.
Oversees the library's resource description and processing workflows. The incumbent collaborates and partners with the Head, Resource Description to ensure consistent description policies and standards are used.
As a subject expert in the arts of Japan, as well as Asian and/or Near Eastern art and culture, provides expert reference services, collection development, acquisitions of materials, and processing materials.
Works collaboratively with members of the Research Libraries Digital Initiatives and Scholarly Communications and Strategic Initiatives and Programs colleagues across the SLA unit, and with other Smithsonian pan-institutional research eco-system partners to support interdisciplinary teaching and research needs. Establishes and maintains good relationships with web content providers, SLA Outreach, Advancement, and other appropriate SLA colleagues in support of advancing the profile of SLA and its collections. The incumbent represents the NMAA and SLA at meetings as required and participates in both SLA, SI and NMAA committee and group assignments where their expertise is requested.

Supervisory Duties

Supervises library staff assigned to the library, including librarians, library technicians, volunteers, work study students, interns, and/or contractors that work periodically at the library.
Performs full range of supervisory management duties, such as assigning work, performance plans and appraisals, personnel actions, hiring, etc.
Formulates goals and priorities to ensure most efficient use of personnel and available funds.
Identifies training and mentorship needs and opportunities for staff. Oversees the planning and execution of special projects undertaken by library staff and volunteers.

Performs other related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

Mastery of information and library science collections development to oversee, develop, and expand services for the NMAA Research Library.
Mastery of information and library science research tools and research methodology of scholarly inquiry in art and/or art history to conduct extensive research to answer library users' art history reference inquires.
Expert knowledge of Asian and/or Near-Eastern art or art history to manage NMAA's research library, which contains over eighty-six thousand volumes of Asian art, including works in Chinese, Japanese, and Near-Eastern art.
Expert organizational and communications skill and ability to work and interact effectively with the administrations, staff, outside researchers, students, and other users, as well as national and local organizations.
Knowledge and understanding of library operations, policies, procedures, techniques, and ability to develop and plan library programs.
Knowledge of digital library initiatives to enhance NMAA's shared and public access to collections and research resources.
Ability to lead and/or supervise library personnel and staff, including planning, distributing, and monitoring work assignments, evaluating work performance, and providing feedback on performance.
Ability to prepare, justify, and/or administer a program budget to ensure cost-effective support of programs and policies.
Knowledge of scholarly communication and publishing practices throughout East Asia and arising from East Asian Studies.
Skill to conduct scholarly research, contribute to scholarly publications, and scholarly presentations in the field of library science, and/or Asian and Near-East Asian Art.

Education completed outside the United States must be deemed equivalent to higher education programs of U.S. Institutions by an organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials. This documentation is the responsibility of the applicant and should be included as part of your application package.

Any false statement in your application may result in rejection of your application and may also result in termination after employment begins.

The Smithsonian Institution values and seeks a diverse workforce. Join us in "Inspiring Generations through Knowledge and Discovery."

Resumes should include a description of your paid and non-paid work experience that is related to this job; starting and ending dates of job (month and year); and average number of hours worked per week.

What To Expect Next: Once the vacancy announcement closes, a review of your resume will be compared against the qualification and experience requirements related to this job. After review of applicant resumes is complete, qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager.

Relocation expenses are not paid.

Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
The Smithsonian Institution provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation should contact [INSERT EMAIL ADDRESS FOR UNIT]. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. To learn more, please review the Smithsonian’s Accommodation Procedures.

The Smithsonian Institution is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe that a workforce comprising a variety of educational, cultural, and experiential backgrounds support and enhance our daily work life and contribute to the richness of our exhibitions and programs. See Smithsonian EEO program information: https://www.si.edu/oeesd.