Call for Applications: Princeton University: Near Eastern Studies Librarian

Princeton University seeks a collaborative, service-oriented subject specialist to shape & enrich its top-rated library collections and provide outstanding library services in the interdisciplinary field of Near Eastern Studies. This librarian is a key member of the area studies & humanities team in the Collection Development Department. Responsible for identifying & acquiring materials from & about the Near East & the greater Muslim world in a wide range of subjects & formats, in western & select languages of the region. This is the Library’s key Near Eastern resource person, with broad expertise to assist students & faculty in teaching & researching any aspect of this field. Works closely with faculty, visiting scholars & students in the Near Eastern Studies Department & Program, Sharmin and Bijan Mossavar-Rahmani Center for Iran and Persian Gulf Studies, Institute for the Transregional Study of the Contemporary Middle East, North Africa and Central Asia, and others working on the Near East & related areas, providing liaison, specialized research consultation & instruction & other outreach initiatives.

This is one of many subject specialist professional positions for developing & interpreting Princeton’s collections. Responsibilities include current & retrospective collection building (including shaping Near Eastern ephemera collections, manuscripts, film, & born-digital web-based materials); managing sizable acquisitions funds & approval plans; advising on preservation, digitization, & collection maintenance. Collaborates closely with other subject liaison librarians, and coordinates with Preservation, Library IT, Collections Acquisitions, Content Access & Resource Sharing, Rare Books & Special Collections, Center for Digital Humanities, etc. Represents PUL in regional, national & international professional meetings & partnerships (incl. ReCAP, IvyPlus, MESA, AIS, MEMP, MELA etc.); participates in inter-institutional initiatives for coordinated collection development, digitization & services.

Princeton University Library, one of the world’s leading research libraries, has a dedicated, knowledgeable staff of 300 in a large central library, 9 specialized branches & 3 storage facilities. PUL supports a diverse community of 5200 undergrads, 2700 graduates, 1200 faculty, and many visiting scholars. Holdings include more than 7 million printed volumes, 5 million manuscripts, 2 million non-print items, and extensive collections of digital text, data & images. Further info: http://library.princeton.edu

Required: A PhD in a field related to Near Eastern Studies OR an ALA-accredited MLS degree with a BA in a Near Eastern-related field; minimum 2 years professional work experience in an academic research library; broad knowledge of Islam and the history, culture & current affairs of the Near Eastern region, including scholarly resources & bibliographic tools; proficiency in Arabic and Persian, including romanization; excellent oral & written communication skills in English and Arabic and Persian; Near Eastern book trade knowledge; familiarity with current research and print & digital publishing trends in Near Eastern Studies; excellent interpersonal skills & the ability to work successfully & collegially with a diverse group of others.

Preferred: An advanced degree in Near Eastern Studies-related field for MLS holders; experience with instruction, liaison, outreach, & assistance to patrons in an academic setting; experience with new technologies for discovery & learning in a rapidly changing environment; proficiency in Turkish.

The successful candidate will be appointed to an appropriate Librarian rank depending upon qualifications and experience. Applications will be accepted only from the Jobs at Princeton website: https://puwebp.princeton.edu/AcadHire/apply/application.xhtml?listingId=8601 and must include a resume, cover letter, and a list of three references with full contact information. This position is subject to the University’s background check policy.