JOB SUMMARY
The Latin American & Caribbean Collection Specialist engages in collection management, public service, outreach, and other activities for the Latin American & Caribbean Collection (LACC), which is one of the preeminent collections of the University of Florida and one of the finest such collections in the world. The LACC Specialist is primarily responsible for working with LACC librarians to develop and manage a circulating collection of materials in all formats, including approximately 500,000 book volumes, 1,100 serial, 50,000 microforms, and a growing body of digital resources. The Specialist supports acquisitions activities, including working with donors, selecting gift materials, and preparing materials for cataloging. In consultation with the LACC Special Collections Librarian, LACC Digital Initiatives Librarian, and Panama Canal Museum Collection Curator, the LACC Specialist develops workflows and processes for special curatorial projects. The Specialist completes bibliographic activities, stacks management, and other collection service activities to maintain and ensure access to materials. The Specialist participates in outreach activities, event planning, and providing public services, including reference assistance (on-site and online), tours, and orientation sessions. The Specialist engages with and provides services to an international community of users and with the faculty and students at the Center for Latin American Studies (http://www.latam.ufl.edu/) and other UF units to support research and teaching needs. The Specialist collaborates closely with faculty and staff in LACC and the Department of Special & Area Studies Collections and with others in the Libraries to manage LACC holdings and services. The LACC Specialist may supervise student employees and also will serve on various committees and teams.
To support all students, staff and faculty, and foster excellence in a diverse and collaborative society, the Libraries are actively seeking candidates who bring culturally-rich lived experiences to work with individuals of diverse backgrounds, experiences, races, ethnicities, genders, sexual orientation, and perspectives.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Collection Management
Completes acquisitions activities including working with donors, reviewing and selecting gift materials, preparing materials for cataloging, including foreign-language materials (e.g., Spanish, Portuguese, etc.).
In consultation with LACC librarians and public services personnel, manages collection storage in the LACC stacks and other locations.
Consults with the Resource Description Services unit to ensure bibliographic data integrity in the ILS, and edits catalog records to create or correct location and holdings information.
Completes check-in and claims processes for serials, manages serial title changes, and resolves problems and missing item reports.
Liaises with Preservation & Conservation to ensure preservation treatments for materials.
Maintains and reports statistical data about collections, and participates in the assessment of holdings and services.
Public Service, Outreach, and Public Programming
Engages with an international community of users and with the faculty and students at the Center for Latin American Studies.
Provides reference service via Ask-A-Librarian (chat service).
Assists patrons in the reading room and at the LACC reference desk.
Participates in outreach activities, event planning, tours, exhibits, bibliographic instruction, and orientation sessions.
Creates and maintains relevant research tools such as subject guides.
Curatorial Projects
Participates in planning and implementing special curatorial projects by developing workflows, processes, and procedures. Examples of projects include identifying materials for mass digitization projects (e.g., Google Books, Celebrating Cuba!, etc.), recommending withdrawals, analyzing circulation and usage in subject areas, etc.
Other Duties as Assigned
Participates in meetings and trainings to remain appraised of procedures and policies, to gain knowledge and skills, and to share information with others.
May hire, train, and/or supervise regular staff and/or OPS and student staff.
Participates in special projects and performs other duties as assigned.
Serves on departmental and library committees or working groups.
QUALIFICATIONS
We value a range of experience and perspectives. Applicants are encouraged to communicate in their application materials and subsequent interview conversations how their work and other experiences satisfy the following qualifications in ways that may not be obvious.
Required:
High School diploma or equivalent and seven years of library, or relevant experience; or an Associate’s degree and five years of relevant experience; or a Bachelor’s degree and three years of relevant experience; or a Master’s degree and one year of relevant experience; or any equivalent combination of experience, training and/or education.
Preferred:
Experience using Alma, Aleph, or a similar ILS for circulation, public catalog searching, checking in materials, and processing activities
Bibliographical competency in multiple languages (e.g., Spanish, Hebrew, Portuguese, etc.)
Experience with collection storage activities such as collection shifting, shelf reads, and physical reorganization projects
Evidence of excellent interpersonal skills including oral and written communication
Ability to work both independently and collaboratively to accomplish goals
Flexibility, and ability to adapt and work in a rapidly changing academic environment
Basic computer skills and experience with Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook
Ability to regularly and safely handle archival materials, including: carrying boxes and materials weighing up to 40 pounds; bending and lifting; transporting on carts or dollies frequently weighing over 100 pounds; climbing on stools and ladders to shelve or retrieve materials; and loading and unloading to/from vans
DEPARTMENT OF SPECIAL AND AREA STUDIES COLLECTIONS
The Dept. of Special and Area Studies Collections combines the Libraries’ traditional special collections with its premier area and cultural studies collections. Special Collections holds the primary source research collections of the University of Florida, which include the Harold and Mary Jean Hanson Rare Book Collection, the P. K. Yonge Library of Florida History, the Popular Culture Collection, the Baldwin Library of Historical Children’s Literature, the University of Florida Archives, and manuscript collections supporting the different special and area studies collections. Area Studies is comprised of the Latin American Collection, the African Studies Collection, the Isser and Rae Price Library of Judaica and the Asian Studies Collection. Together, the collections contain over 750,000 volumes, more than 50,000 rolls of microfilm, over 8000 linear feet of manuscript and archival material, and a growing presence of unique digital holdings. The collections provide direct support to academic programs at the University of Florida while also supporting research in a variety of academic fields and disciplines for an international community of scholars.
UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA LIBRARIES
The libraries at the University of Florida form the largest academic information resource system in the state of Florida with seven libraries and two off-campus facilities. The George A. Smathers Libraries are comprised of six campus libraries and off-site facilities. In addition to this system, the Lawton Chiles Legal Information Center is part of the Levin College of Law. The Libraries hold over 6.27 million print volumes, 1.5 million e-books, over 197,000 full-text journals, over 1000 electronic databases, 1.3 million documents,and 1.4 million maps and images. Distinctive holdings include the Isser and Rae Price Library of Judaica, Latin American and Caribbean Collection, Baldwin Library of Historical Children’s Literature and the P.K. Yonge Library of Florida History. The Libraries maintainpartnerships and participate in a variety of collaborative, international projects while engaging with the UF community. We are a member of the Association of Research Libraries (ARL) and other regional library consortia.
The library staff consists of more than 300 FTE librarians, technical/clerical staff and student assistants. The George A. Smathers Libraries are strong advocates for inclusion and intellectual freedom. The Libraries’ commitment to both is articulated in the Inclusion and Intellectual Freedom Statements. The Smathers Libraries will foster and maintain a culture that supports DEI, as values are foundational and permeates all aspects of our organization per Strategic Directions 4: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Support for professional development is central to the Smathers Libraries. Supports include a formal mentoring program, a robust training program, release time for research and professional service, a comprehensive grants program, and funding for professional development travel.
LIBRARIES LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The Smathers Libraries acknowledge that the main (Gainesville) campus of the University of Florida is located in the ancestral territory of the Potano and later the Seminole peoples. The Smathers Libraries acknowledge its obligation to honor the past, present, and future Native residents and cultures of Florida.
THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
The University of Florida (UF) is the state of Florida’s preeminent university. The state’s oldest and most comprehensive university, UF is among the nation’s most academically diverse public universities and won the 2018 Senator Paul Simon Award for Comprehensive Internationalization. UF is currently fifth among “Top Public Universities” in the U.S. News and World Report and second among Forbes “Best Value Public Colleges (2016). UF has a long history of established programs in international education, research, and service. It is one of only 17 public, land-grant universities that belong to the Association of American Universities. At UF we have some of the top faculty in the country. In addition to attracting over $900 million in research each year, they foster the uniquely collaborative environment that transforms potential into actual results. UF traces its beginnings to a small seminary in 1853 and is now one of the largest universities in the nation, with more than 60,000 students. The University of Florida seeks to address key challenges of our time, from COVID-19 to racism. In 2020 UF announced a UF-Anti-Racism Initiative. For more information, please consult the UF homepage and the Office of the Chief Diversity Officer website. A snapshot of the student body diversity statistics is available online from UF Institutional Planning and Research.
BENEFITS
University benefits for this position include retirement plan options, insurance benefits, paid family leave (parental and medical), tuition fee waiver program, and employee assistance program, as well as paid time off and holidays. Gainesville, Florida, has no state or local income tax. The University of Florida provides ongoing guidelines and resources related to COVID-19.
AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
The University of Florida is committed to non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations, genetic information, and veteran status in all aspects of employment including recruitment, hiring, promotions, transfers, discipline, terminations, wage and salary administration, benefits, and training. We are dedicated to the goal of building a broadly diverse and inclusive faculty and staff within a culturally diverse and pluralistic environment; we invite all qualified applicants including women, members of underrepresented groups, individuals with disabilities, and veterans. The University of Florida is a public institution and subject to all requirement under the Florida Sunshine and Public Records laws.
If an accommodation due to a hearing or speech disability is needed to apply for this position, please call 352-392-2477 University of Florida Human Resources or the Florida Relay System at 800-955-8771 (TDD).
GAINESVILLE COMMUNITY
Gainesville and the surrounding community are home to approximately 257,000 people and both the University of Florida and Santa Fe College. The city is surrounded by more than 40 nature parks, including many spring-fed lakes and rivers, with many paved and unpaved trails for recreation. The city is just over an hour from the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean. Gainesville is an award winning and innovative city, friendly to both professionals and families. The Guide to Greater Gainesville combines award winning photography and compelling articles that capture all the reasons for calling Gainesville your next home. The City of Gainesville is a progressive municipality that seeks to promote racial equity. The area has numerous cultural institutions and is a haven for sports fans. Jacksonville, Orlando, Tampa, Tallahassee, and St. Augustine are all within a two-hour drive.
APPLICATION PROCESS
To apply, submit
a cover letter detailing your interest in, and qualifications for this position
your current resume or CV
a list of three references including their contact information (telephone number and email address)
Apply by 11:55 pm (EST) on October 5, 2023 (applications will be reviewed as received). Submit all application materials through the Jobs at UF online application system at Job Number 528524. If you have any questions or concerns about this process, please contact Tina Marie Litchfield, George A. Smathers Libraries Human Resources Office, at tlitchfield@uflib.ufl.edu.