Latin American Studies Bibliographer

Latin American Studies Bibliographer
Nettie Lee Benson Latin American Collection
The University of Texas Libraries — The University of Texas at Austin


The Benson Latin American Collection
The Nettie Lee Benson Latin American Collection (http://www.lib.utexas.edu/benson/), a unit of the University of Texas Libraries (http://www.lib.utexas.edu/), is one of the pre-eminent Latin American libraries in the United States and the world. It is a comprehensive collection of Latin American and U.S. Latino materials in all subject areas related to the humanities and social sciences, law and communications, and in all formats. The Benson Collection maintains important holdings for all countries of Latin America with special concentrations on Mexico, the countries of the Río de la Plata, Brazil, Chile, Peru, and Central America, especially Guatemala. The Mexican American Library Program, established in 1974, has gathered extensive research materials in all subject areas related to the U.S. Southwest and Latino culture in the United States. Materials in the Benson Collection comprise the initial focus of UT Austin’s participation in the Google Books Library Project.

In collaboration with the Teresa Lozano Long Institute of Latin American Studies, the Benson Collection preserves government Web sites including ministerial and presidential documents from Latin American countries through the Internet Archive's Archive-It service. An emerging programmatic area of interest is the acquisition and preservation of statistical data sets to support faculty and graduate student research. The Benson Collection contains over 970,000 books, periodicals, and pamphlets, 4,350 linear feet of manuscripts, over 20,000 maps, 42,000 microforms, 12,300 broadsides, 170,000 photographs, and numerous items in a variety of other media. The Collection circulates approximately 100,000 volumes a year, answers 10,000 reference questions, and annually hosts hundreds of scholars from the United States, Latin American, Europe, and Asia. The Benson Collection staff is comprised of 8 librarians, 13 support staff, plus student assistants.

Responsibilities: Reporting to the Head Librarian of the Nettie Lee Benson Latin American Collection and to the Associate Director for Research Services of the University of Texas Libraries, the Latin American Studies Bibliographer collaborates both with other librarians in the Benson Collection and with other bibliographers in the UT Libraries.

Supervising a staff of 4.75 FTE, the bibliographer has the primary responsibility for the University Libraries acquisitions, digital information decisions, and collection development services related to Latin American research and teaching in all formats including those located in the Benson Collection, on the network, or in library–sponsored digital archives.

Specific tasks include the selection of traditional library materials, monitoring approval plans, selecting digital and media content, representing the Library’s institutional repository services to appropriate clientele, the acquisition and processing of in-kind gifts, the selection of “at risk” Web material for library archiving, recommending digitization priorities, overseeing publication exchange agreements, and managing the Latin American acquisitions budget and related accounts. The bibliographer also seeks and negotiates significant acquisitions (including rare books, manuscripts and archives), preservation opportunities, digital materials, and gifts in support of Latin American research and teaching.

All librarians at the Benson Collection are expected to participate in general and specialized reference services, to collaborate and communicate with colleagues across departmental boundaries, and to work with faculty, graduate students, and external constituents as needed. Scholarly research and participation and leadership in relevant professional associations are expected.

Required: Master’s degree from an ALA accredited library school. Advanced degree in a field relevant to Latin American Studies. Fluency in Spanish. Reading knowledge of Portuguese. A minimum of four years of experience in collection development of Latin American materials or in-depth knowledge of the Latin American booktrade, publishing and digital initiatives. Working knowledge of research trends and the scholarly process. Familiarity with reference and instruction in an academic setting. Evidence of commitment to quality customer service. Excellent oral and written communication skills and the ability to work independently and in a collegial environment. Familiarity with relevant current electronic tools and resources.

Preferred: Doctoral degree in an area of Latin American research. Fluency in Portuguese. Reading knowledge in French or German. More than 4 years experience in collection development of Latin American materials. Supervisory experience. Extensive knowledge of current research in Latin American and U.S. Latino studies. Ability to work with the university community. Experience in collaborative efforts with other U.S. Latin American libraries and collections. Demonstrated commitment to increase the world’s access to Latin American research resources, to encompass emerging areas of research, and to advance Benson Collection programs. Ability to assume a leadership role in effective and innovative approaches for providing access to research materials. Demonstrated, ability to work within a team, and cross-cultural experience . Ability to work with library and academic professionals at local, national and international levels.

Salary and Benefits: $63,000 - $70,000 annually, negotiable depending on qualifications and experience. No state or local income tax. Standard state benefits package including annual vacation and sick leave, paid holidays, retirement plans, and health insurance options (comprehensive major medical, dental, vision, life, and disability). Deferred compensation and tax sheltered annuity programs also available.

Recruiting Schedule: To receive full consideration, complete application materials are due by November 17, 2008. Interested candidates must complete an Online Application by going to: (http://www.utexas.edu/hr/prospective/apply/process.html#completing). Please refer to job posting number 08-10-07-01-0080 (http://utdirect.utexas.edu/pnjobs/pnjobsvw.WBX?job_nbr=081007010080) and follow applicant instructions given online which include submitting the following additional materials: a letter of interest, a full resume, a statement of salary requirements and the names, addresses (including email) and telephone numbers of three professional references. Send these additional materials to Carol Johnson (c-johnson@austin.utexas.edu) via email. An email confirmation will be sent within 1-2 working days to candidates who have submitted both the online application and who have emailed the additional materials as instructed.

The University of Texas Libraries has a strong commitment to diversity and encourages applications and nominations from traditionally underrepresented groups.

An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer