Head of the Maps Collection - Librarian

General Summary:

 

The University of Chicago Library empowers users with deep and rich collections, extensive expertise, innovative programs, and diverse spaces. We are committed to cultivating an inclusive community, enhancing access to scholarly resources, advancing digital scholarship, engaging locally and globally, and excelling in a changing environment. 

 

The Head of the Maps Collection Librarian is responsible for the Map Collection located in Regenstein Library. One of the largest university map libraries in North America, with 475,000 maps, 10,000 aerial photos, 2000 books, and hundreds of gigabytes of spatial data, the Map Collection is a significant and diverse source of information for faculty, students, staff and visiting researchers.  

 

The Librarian manages the Library’s Map Collection and the Map Room, supervising and working closely with a Map Collection Assistant. The Librarian is responsible for developing the growing cartographic, geography and geospatial data collection, and acting as liaison to the Committee on Environment, Geography and Urbanization (CEGU). The Librarian will partner with the Library’s Technical Services Department to support the provision of metadata for cartographic resources and with Conservation to manage the preservation of the collection. They will also supervise scanning maps for interlibrary loan.  

 

The Librarian will provide reference, consultation, and instruction to support the use of cartographic material by faculty, and students and staff across campus, and in all disciplines. This includes providing instruction in digital map collections and developing online resources to aid users. The librarian works collaboratively with Library colleagues and with other campus experts, the Librarian will be a leader in improving digital access to cartographic resources, creating spatial data infrastructure, and planning for preservation of digital cartographic assets. They will work collaboratively with the GIS Librarian to provide support for GIS and they will have involvement in the Big Ten Academic Alliance Geospatial Information Network. The Librarian will report to the Director of Sciences and Social Sciences. 

 

The Library seeks candidates who demonstrate an ongoing commitment to an inclusive welcoming culture and workplace that ensures and enriches an understanding of diversity, equity, inclusion and anti-racism. The successful candidate will be committed to creating services and collections that reflect and uphold these critical values. 

 

The Search Committee will evaluate candidates’ ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing, their ability to perform complex problem solving and decision making, ability to plan, prioritize, coordinate and implement projects, their commitment to DEI and their demonstrated commitment to professional development. The committee will evaluate their knowledge of and experience with cartographic materials, experience in public service, customer service, and teaching environments, and experience with web authoring.  

 

Qualifications Responsibilities

 

• Manages daily operations of the Map Collection, including the supervision of one-full time employee 
• Curates the Map Collection, including collecting books and other materials in geography. The Librarian will assume an additional subject area(s) depending on their area of expertise, such as anthropology, earth sciences or environmental sciences 
• Develops and oversees programs and services for the Map Collection, including providing instruction and outreach activities  
• Engages with colleagues in the the Library, across the University and beyond campus, for example the Big Ten Academic Alliance (BTAA) and Ivy Plus in dialogue, initiatives and outreach 
• Provides instruction sessions at faculty request and upon identified point of need. 
• Works with the Library’s subject specialists to increase knowledge across campus of the services offered by the Map Collection 
• Collaborates with the GIS Librarian to promote use of  Map Collection materials  
• Serves on library and university committees and task forces 
• Participates in professional and scholarly organizations  

Required:

 

• ALA-accredited Master’s degree or an equivalent combination of relevant experience and advanced degree 
• Undergraduate or demonstrated equivalent subject experience in geography or a related field 
• Minimum of 3 years library experience 
• Knowledge of one or more GIS platforms (ex. QGIS, ArcGIS).  

Preferred:

 

• Experience in the creation, deployment, and assessment of instructional programs 
• Experience with digital collections 
• Experience supervising student employees 
• Knowledge of one or more programming languages, such as R or Python. 

Required Documents 

 

C.V.  

 

Cover Letter  

 

Contact References 

 

Application Instructions To Apply: Submit cover letter, curriculum vitae, and reference contact information online through the University of Chicago's Academic Recruiting website:http://apply.interfolio.com/124286. Review of applications will begin after May 21, 2023. Screening of applications will continue until the position is filled or the search is closed. 

 

Salary and Benefits: Appointment salary based on qualifications and experience. Benefits include retirement plan, insurance, and paid time off. 

 

Questions: Contact Library Human Resources, libraryhr@uchicago.edu

 

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

 

All University departments and institutes are charged with building a faculty from a diversity of backgrounds and with diverse viewpoints; with cultivating an inclusive community that values freedom of expression; and with welcoming and supporting all their members. 

 

We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages diverse perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange. The University’s Statements on Diversity are at https://provost.uchicago.edu/statements-diversity. 

 

The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination. 

 

Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-834-3988 or email equalopportunity@uchicago.edu with their request.