The Joseph and Ceil Mazer Librarian for Judaic Studies supports the research and teaching mission of Yale as a liaison to the Judaic Studies Program and select members of the Council on Middle East Studies at the MacMillan Center. The librarian reports to the Head, Area Studies Group, DASHRS.

The librarian develops strong working relationships with faculty, students, and affiliated researchers across departments, taking initiative to identify and meet their expectations for collections and services. In support of YUL’s public services mission, participates in research education and outreach, such as instruction, orientations, and tours. Provides advanced reference and research consultations, maintains online research guides, conducts collection development, and keeps abreast of relevant technology to support their work. May also have opportunities for involvement in outreach, instruction, exhibits, or collection development of archival and special collections and/or participation in digital initiatives. The librarian is responsible for selection, interpretation, and collection management of Hebrew-language and Yiddish-language imprints. Additionally, the librarian is responsible for collecting materials published in the field of Judaic studies published in other languages. Collection development responsibilities include budgeting and fund management, approval plan oversight, selection of materials in all formats, gift review, and electronic resource acquisition. Works collaboratively with members of DASHRS, colleagues across the Yale University Library system, and with other campus partners to support interdisciplinary teaching and research needs. Establishes and maintains good relationships with dealers, content providers, exchange partners, libraries, and other appropriate institutions in support of assigned areas. Contributes to department strategic planning; participates in YUL committees, task forces, and programs; and is active professionally through service in library organizations, research and publishing, or other means.

Yale has a long and rich tradition in the study of Jewish religion, history, and thought dating back to Yale’s founding, when Hebrew language was a required course of study. The Yale Library Judaica holdings have grown steadily since the University’s founding in 1701. Following the receipt of two major gifts in 1915, the Yale Library established a separate Judaica collection, which is recognized as one of the major collections of Judaica in the country. The collection covers biblical, classical, medieval, and modern periods of Jewish literature and history and includes all formats from electronic resources to manuscripts and rare books. The collection supports the research needs of the faculty and students of the Judaic Studies Program and those of the broader academic community.

This position will be assigned a rank of Librarian 1 to Librarian 3. Librarian ranking information can be found at http://bit.ly/YULRanksPromotions .

Essential Duties

1. Serves as subject specialist for relevant academic departments and students and faculty throughout the university involved in study of a specific world area. Provides research consultations, instruction sessions, in-person and virtual reference services, and other liaison librarian support. 2. Develops library collections in all appropriate formats (print, digital, audio-visual, etc.) through acquisitions from the relevant imprint area. Builds strong vendor relationships for this purpose. May also acquire materials published about the world area in other regions. 3. Raises awareness of collections through outreach efforts such as maintaining reading rooms, office hours, social media, exhibits, tours, mailing list messages, library workshops, and the sponsorship of academic conferences and lectures. 4. Creates and maintains web sites, online research guides, and other digital tools for research and teaching. 5. May work closely with, or directly supervises, staff who order and process collection materials. May supervise processing of special collections, including decisions on arrangement and description and oversight of finding aid creation. 6. May collaborate with relevant departments on projects related to collection preservation and digitization. 7. Collaborates with librarians, GIS specialists, archivists, special collection curators, etc. to support research and teaching. 8. May collaborate as appropriate with library staff engaged in fund-raising and development efforts. 9. Maintains networks of individuals and institutions located in relevant world areas to facilitate access to information and collections for Yale affiliates. 10. Maintains affiliation with a Council in the Macmillan Center for International and Area Studies at Yale and/or other related Yale programs and organizations, serving as official library representative when appropriate. Actively contributes to the academic activities of these organizations. 11. Participates in departmental library planning for research support and the collections program. Participates in library system-wide planning, committees, and working groups, and engages in collaborations and professional activities at Yale, as well as regionally and nationally. 12. May be required to assist with disaster recovery efforts. 13. May be assigned to work at West Campus location in West Haven, Connecticut. 14. May perform other duties as assigned.

Required Education and Experience

1. Master’s degree from an ALA-accredited library school and an advanced degree in a field related to the study of the relevant world area or an advanced degree in the study of the world area and relevant library experience. 2. Knowledge of the history of, and current trends in, scholarly research related to study of the relevant world area. 3. Excellent communication skills (reading, writing, speaking) in language(s) of the area. 4. Demonstrated excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communications and analytical ability. 5. Demonstrated record of designing projects and bringing them to a conclusion in a timely fashion. 6. Experience working collaboratively and independently with varied groups within a complex organization and rapidly changing, team environment. Yale University assigns ranks to librarian positions based on a combination of professional experience and accomplishments (see range assigned to this description as noted in the posting position title). Librarian ranking information can be found at: http://www.library.yale.edu/about/departments/lhr/rank.html

Required Skill/Ability 1:

Demonstrated excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills.

Required Skill/Ability 2:

Excellent communication skills (reading, writing, and speaking) in Hebrew.

Required Skill/Ability 3:

Excellent organizational and analytical skills.

Required Skill/Ability 4:

Demonstrated ability to design projects and bring them to conclusion in a timely fashion.

Required Skill/Ability 5:

Demonstrated skill in providing high quality, user-centered research support services, preferably in an academic library.

Preferred Education, Experience and Skills:

Doctorate in a field of Judaic studies. Excellent reading knowledge of additional relevant languages, particularly Yiddish. Experience teaching in a library or academic setting. Experience with software for citation management and creation of web content. Experience using archives or libraries in Israel. Interest in learning emerging technologies and web applications.

Drug Screen

No

Health Screening

No

Background Check Requirements

All candidates for employment will be subject to pre-employment background screening for this position, which may include motor vehicle, DOT certification, drug testing and credit checks based on the position description and job requirements. All offers are contingent upon the successful completion of the background check. Please visit www.yale.edu/hronline/careers/screening/faqs.html for additional information on the background check requirements and process.

Posting Disclaimer

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the essential functions that will be required of the position and should not be construed as a declaration of specific duties and responsibilities of the particular position. Employees will be assigned specific job-related duties through their hiring departments.

Affirmative Action Statement:

Yale University considers applicants for employment without regard to, and does not discriminate on the basis of, an individual’s sex, race, color, religion, age, disability, status as a veteran, or national or ethnic origin; nor does Yale discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity or expression. Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 protects people from sex discrimination in educational programs and activities at institutions that receive federal financial assistance. Questions regarding Title IX may be referred to the University’s Title IX Coordinator, at TitleIX@yale.edu, or to the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, 8th Floor, Five Post Office Square, Boston MA 02109-3921. Telephone: 617.289.0111, Fax: 617.289.0150, TDD: 800.877.8339, or Email: ocr.boston@ed.gov.