Reference/Subject Librarian (South Asian Studies)

Institution: Washington University in St. Louis

The Washington University Libraries are seeking a creative and enthusiastic librarian with a strong service orientation to serve as a member of the Reference Department and as the South Asian Studies Subject Librarian. The Libraries are reinvigorating outreach activities to faculty and graduate students in response to expressed needs for service. As a member of the Reference Department, the librarian combines reference, library instruction, and outreach to provide information and research consultation services to a diverse user community. The librarian will utilize emergent information technologies to design and deliver sessions to help users further develop their information seeking skills; participate in scheduled evening and weekend service. Subject Librarian responsibilities include developing and promoting the library’s Hindi-Urdu and English language materials on South Asia, assessing, proactively anticipating, and responding to the needs of students and faculty, and assisting technical services staff with the acquisition and cataloging of vernacular materials.

Qualifications include: MLS from an ALA accredited institution or international equivalent; academic background in the history and civilization of South Asia; South Asian language skills (Hindi or Urdu) preferred; experience in references and/or collection development in an academic library desirable but not required; ability to collaborate effectively with diverse staff, students, and faculty and demonstrated written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills required; familiarity with information technologies (e.g., blogs, wikis, podcasting, RSS, etc.) strongly desirable.

Washington University Libraries include the recently renovated John M. Olin Library and 12 school and departmental libraries and hold over 3.6 million volumes and extensive electronic and unique collections. The Libraries are members of the Association of Research Libraries, the MOBIUS consortium, and the Greater Western Library Alliance. The University is in a desirable neighborhood in the St. Louis metropolitan area, with convenient transportation and affordable housing. For more information about the University and its libraries see: http://www.wustl.edu and http://library.wustl.edu.

To apply visit www.wustlcareers.com. Attach a letter of application, resume, and the names of three references. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Employment eligibility verification required upon hire. Washington University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.