Judaica Librarian, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA

Posted January 8, 2020

As part of a collaborative team in the Library’s Research & Instructional Services unit, the Judaica Librarian builds relationships with faculty, students, and staff to support teaching, learning, and research in the department of Near Eastern and Judaic Studies (NEJS) and other academic departments, centers and programs involving Jewish Studies and the Middle East. The Judaica librarian also serves as liaison to other departments and programs; contributes to the library’s program of course-integrated research instruction; participates in collection development; leads workshops; and provides general research help services to students, faculty, staff and the community.

 

Essential Functions:

• Serves as a liaison to the Near Eastern and Judaic Studies department, as well as to research centers and institutes related to Jewish studies.                 

• Develops course-integrated information literacy and research instruction.

• Provides in-depth research consultations.

• Communicates regularly with faculty, staff, and students to promote library services and resources and to support teaching, learning, and research.

• Works closely with colleagues in University Archives & Special Collections on outreach programs and projects related to their growing Judaica collections; provides expertise on relevant collections and materials; connects with potential donors and others.

• Works with colleagues in collections and acquisitions to develop, maintain, evaluate, and facilitate access to relevant collections, including both physical and digital resources.
   

• In collaboration with colleagues, actively contributes to:                               

• The library’s robust workshop offerings and research instruction program, including instruction for University Writing Seminars, with a focus on Jewish Studies.

• General research help services to students, faculty, staff, and researchers.

• Liaison services for additional departments and programs.

• Special projects and outreach activities, focusing on Judaica research. 

• Takes a leadership role in the field of Judaica librarianship and furthers knowledge in Jewish Studies and librarianship through:                              

• Participation in professional library or subject-related organizations and committees. 

• Attending, participating in, or contributing to conferences, webinars, and other types of professional development training.

• Maintaining knowledge of best practices, developments, and trends in librarianship and liaison subject areas.
   

• Participates in and contributes to committees and work groups of the Library and the University.                                                                                                 

Required Qualifications

• MLS or equivalent experience and education required.

• Fluency in modern or ancient Hebrew.

• Subject background in Jewish studies or considerable experience as a subject librarian for Jewish studies

• Understanding of research and teaching needs for faculty and students in Jewish studies.

• Facility with technologies associated with research, teaching, and learning.

• Commitment to contributing to the Library’s work in developing an environment that is inclusive and supportive of diversity.

• Experience in the selection of Judaica materials.

• Preferred: Reading knowledge of Arabic, Yiddish, German, and/or other languages relevant to research in Jewish and Near Eastern Studies.

 

Occasional evening or weekend work may be required.

This is a union position in the SEIU Local 888 Bargaining Unit.

 

To view the full position and apply, please visit the following link. 

 

At Brandeis University, our mission and history are rooted in the pursuit of social justice, thus we aim to include this value in all that we do. We are seeking candidates with a variety of social identities, including those that have been underrepresented in higher education, who possess skills that spark innovation and who are committed to building, engaging with, and sustaining a pluralistic, unified, and just campus community.