Performing Arts Librarian

The University of Akron seeks a motivated, collegial library professional for a tenure-track position at the rank of Assistant Professor of Bibliography.

UNIVERSITY AND COMMUNITY
Akron is a metropolitan area of 500,000 people 30 miles south of Cleveland that combines the advantages of city life with easy access to Northeastern Ohio's many natural resources including the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. The University of Akron (UA) (http://www.uakron.edu) is the third largest state assisted university in Ohio. UA is a distinctive campus in an urban environment, with more than 80 buildings on 218 acres. Our "New Landscape for Learning" program has added 30 acres of green space and 11 new buildings, including a Student Recreation and Wellness Center, Student Union, Honors Complex, classroom buildings and parking decks. UA's 10 academic colleges offer our 24,000+ students more than 300 undergraduate and master's degree programs and options, 17 doctoral degree programs, and 4 law degree programs.

The extensive collections and services of the University Libraries (UL) (http://www.uakron.edu/libraries/) support the broad range of academic and scholarly interests reflected in the curriculum and research concentration of the University. UL is a founding member and active participant in OhioLINK, a consortium of 86 colleges and university libraries in Ohio and the State Library of Ohio. The UL includes Bierce Library, the main library located at the heart of campus, and the recently renovated and expanded Science and Technology Library located in the Auburn Science Center. Additionally, UL includes two archival units: University Archives and the Archives of the History of American Psychology. UL offers a welcoming state-of-the art work environment.

This UL position supports the University's thriving academic programs in the performing arts. With more than 400 majors, the UA School of Music ((http://www3.uakron.edu/music/Music_Welcome.html) is widely acknowledged as a regional leader in education and performance, and has been fully accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music since 1974.The School's extensive graduate and undergraduate offerings include performance, music education, theory and composition, jazz, voice, accompanying, music history and literature, and music technology.

In 2006 the UA School of Dance, Theatre, and Arts Administration (http://www3.uakron.edu/dtaa/) moved into the new Center for Dance and Theatre at Guzzetta Hall, a world-class facility. Named by Dance Spirit magazine as one of the 28 best programs in the country, the UA Dance Program offers traditional technical training combined with an academic program leading to a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree or a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree. The School's Modular Master Degree program in theatre is structured so that the program can be completed in intensive five-week sessions over the course of three summers. This program is particularly popular with teachers desiring to complete a graduate degree in theatre without having to take leave from their jobs. The School's graduate program in Arts Administration is one of approximately 25 programs across the country with a curriculum designed to prepare students for successful careers in the business of not-for-profit arts.

Under the direction of the Head of Collection Management the person in this position provides professional service to the School of Music and the School of Dance, Theater, and Arts Administration. Serves as liaison to faculty in the development of the library resources to support the curricula of the schools, provides information fluency instruction by working with classroom faculty, maintains subject web pages, and creates tutorials, course web pages, and other materials for classroom use and study. This position serves as the major resource person for performing arts reference and research activities, provides direct reference service at the reference desk and through IM chat reference and email reference, and works with others on the organization, processing, and service of particular special subject collections, including archives of the Guitar Foundation of America and of Smith Publications. University Libraries has just received an NEH grant to digitize early publications from the Guitar Foundation of America Archives. This position represents the Library's interests in local and state forums for cooperative collection development.

• MLS/MLIS from an ALA accredited school;
• degree in music;
• excellent oral and written communication skills;
• the ability to work well with others and to provide leadership within the diverse settings of a complex university organization;
• a strong service ethic and demonstrated appreciation for and effectiveness with a diverse student body;
• the ability to meet the University of Akron Libraries' criteria for promotion and tenure which include conducting research, teaching, participating on library and university committees, and serving in professional organizations;
• the ability to work creatively in a challenging, rapidly changing, and fast-paced environment;
• willingness to work weekday evening and weekend hours.

• master's degree in related discipline;
• previous experience providing reference service in an academic library setting;
• experience in integrated information literacy programs;
• coursework in or extensive knowledge of performing arts resources;
• knowledge of and ability to utilize a wide range of subject resources, print and electronic;
• familiarity with music and dance notation software;
• ability to work independently;
• experience directing or supervising the work of student assistant employees.

Review of applications will begin February 1, 2008 and will continue until the positions are filled.

Applicants should supply a cover letter, full resume documenting education and relevant experience, and the names, addresses, and e-mail addresses of three professional references to:

Dean Cheryl Kern-Simirenko
Office of the Dean
University Libraries
Bierce Library
The University of Akron
Akron, OH 44325-1701.

Applications may be submitted electronically as attachments to e-mail: librarysearchcommittee@uakron.edu. Please put position name in subject line.