Job Summary: This is a full-time position supporting Africana and Francophone Studies. The position is an essential partner and catalyst in advancing the academic goals in these areas. The incumbent provides a wide variety of the most advanced professional library services which may include teaching, learning, public services, circulation, assessment, reference, selection, and outreach to support creative exploration, intellectual growth, and scholarly pursuits. The position fosters robust relationships and engagement with appropriate constituencies across campus, assessing and supporting their research, teaching, and learning needs on a continual basis. The position also includes participation in interdepartmental teams supporting various functional areas that span the University of Wisconsin-Madison library services and programs. Strong interpersonal skills, along with the ability to adapt to a changing environment are important. Individuals should have a demonstrated ability to work both independently and within a collaborative team environment. This position reports to the Head of International and Area Studies.
The Libraries at the University of Wisconsin-Madison are dedicated to the practices of social justice, diversity, equality, and respect among our staff, students, collections, and services. We strive to overcome historical and divisive biases in our society and embrace diverse points of view as assets to the fabric of our community. All positions will be called on to contribute to building this environment.
Responsibilities: Provides a wide variety of the most advanced professional library services which may include teaching, learning, public services, circulation, assessment, reference, selection, and outreach to support creative exploration, intellectual growth, and scholarly pursuits. Serves as a resource to others and regularly solves complex problems based on advanced knowledge and expertise. Initiates process improvements, policy changes, and new initiatives to contribute towards continual improvement in services and operations. 20% Serves as a liaison to academic disciplines and/or other campus units providing information on collections, instructional and research support, and library services 5% Cultivates and maintains productive relationships with donors, collectors, vendors, and professional colleagues 5% Obtains materials, resolves issues, and answers questions that are complex and highly specialized in nature 10% Designs, develops, delivers, and assesses instruction in a variety of formats to faculty, staff, students, and other patrons 5% Provides specialized services utilizing a high level of expertise on a broad range of disciplines or in a designated discipline area 5% Develops or coordinates specialized projects or programs 5% Serves as a resource to other librarians and staff outside of their unit on a regular basis 5% Serves on committees to advance librarianship at the campus, local, and/or state and national levels 5% May direct the day-to-day activities of student workers 35% Develops, curates, and manages collections Tasks: Conducts collection development and information resource management in all formats for Africana and Francophone Studies. Reviews, evaluates, and stewards both physical and monetary gifts related to the Africana and Francophone Studies area to build robust and distinctive collections supporting academic mission. Serves as the liaison to the Department of African Cultural Studies and the African Studies Program. Monitors and manages assigned and shared collection funds for these area subjects. Works with publishers and peer librarians in Africa and beyond to enhance the effectiveness of collection development, including fielding inquires, consulting with researchers, and providing reference and research support in-person and remotely. Assesses user needs and stays abreast of research, teaching, and learning trends in order to develop and maintain relevant, high-quality services and collections. Collaborates with other subject specialists and special collections librarians to develop interdisciplinary opportunities for integrating distinctive content and services into the academic environment. Engages with community of researchers and scholars in Africana and Francophone Studies, facilitating robust programming that showcases collections and other research resources. Cultivates information literacy skills for designated liaison areas which includes providing library instruction sessions and the creation of relevant learning objects in collaboration with the Libraries Teaching & Learning Programs. Explores and leverages emerging technologies and tools to enhance discoverability and use of resources in liaison areas. Performs liaison work that includes tailored research support to faculty and students, library instruction (in person and online) to support various courses. Serves as primary library contact and facilitates the work of researchers and scholars in Africana and Francophone Studies Contributes to the advancement of the UW-Madison Libraries scholarly communications program, which incorporates open access or the open education resources and copyright. Supports a range of activities pertaining to the information lifecycle, such as data curation and management, digital humanities, content creation, and other associated services. Recommends materials for digitization. Institutional Statement on Diversity: Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW-Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background - people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world.
For more information on diversity and inclusion on campus, please visit: Diversity and Inclusion
Education: Required:
A Masters in Library and Information Studies (MLIS) from an ALA-accredited institution (American Library Association) or equivalent international accrediting agency, OR an advanced degree in a related discipline prior to anticipated start date.
Qualifications: Required Qualifications
-Proficiency in at least one indigenous African language
-Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills
-Proficient in speaking and communicating in English
Preferred Qualifications
-French language proficiency
-Two years of experience working in an academic library or equivalent
-An advanced degree in a relevant humanities or social science field
-Experience in collection development that includes familiarity with Africana and Francophone
publications and respective publication industry, including working with distinctive collections
-Experience with liaison work, reference support, and instruction
-Evidence of commitment to the practices of social justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion
-Working knowledge of the field of digital humanities
Work Type: Full Time: 100%
This position may require some work to be performed in-person, onsite, at a designated campus work location. Some work may be performed remotely, at an offsite, non-campus work location.
Appointment Type, Duration: Ongoing/Renewable
Salary: Minimum $57,500 ANNUAL (12 months)
Depending on Qualifications
How to Apply: A cover letter and resume are required. Contact Melissa Ortiz ( ) or Amber Smart ( ) for more information. All applications must be submitted through the Jobs at UW applicant system. Click on 'Apply Now' to submit your materials. References will be collected from finalists at the time of the interviews.
Contact: Melissa Ortiz
Relay Access (WTRS): 7-1-1. See RELAY_SERVICE for further information.
Official Title: Lib II-Res, Learn & User Supp(LM002)
Department(s): A49-GENERAL LIBRARY/SOCIAL SCIENCES
Employment Class: Academic Staff-Renewable
Job Number: 294727-AS
The University of Wisconsin-Madison is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, including but not limited to, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, or status as a protected veteran and other bases as defined by federal regulations and UW System policies. We promote excellence through diversity and encourage all qualified individuals to apply.
If you need to request an accommodation because of a disability, you can find information about how to make a request at the following website:
Employment will require a criminal background check. It will also require you and your references to answer questions regarding sexual violence and sexual harassment.
The University of Wisconsin System will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7).
The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report contains current campus safety and disciplinary policies, crime statistics for the previous 3 calendar years, and on-campus student housing fire safety policies and fire statistics for the previous 3 calendar years. UW-Madison will provide a paper copy upon request; please contact the University of Wisconsin Police Department .
About University of Wisconsin Madison
The University of Wisconsin–Madison has been a catalyst for the extraordinary since its founding in 1848. Our students, staff, and faculty partake in world-class education and conduct prolific research that solves real-world problems. Our guiding principle is the Wisconsin Idea, a commitment to outreach that creates a better future for our state, our nation, and the world. We value the contributions of each person and recognize that diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation.
Connections working at University of Wisconsin Madison
