How to Apply
A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first pages of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position. Submit both the cover letter and resume as one file (because of system limitations).
Job Summary
The University of Michigan Library in Ann Arbor is one of the world's largest academic research libraries. It serves a vibrant university community that is home to 19 schools and colleges, 100 top ten graduate programs, and annual research expenditures exceeding $2.04 billion a year. Founded in 1948, the Asia Library is one of the largest East Asian libraries in North America, with a physical book collection of more than one million volumes. As part of the University Library, the Asia Library collects and provides access to resources in all formats in the Chinese, Japanese, and Korean languages. For more information about the Asia Library, please see here.
As the Japanese Studies Librarian, you will assume direct responsibility for developing and managing the Japanese collection, and for evaluating and selecting information resources related to Japanese Studies. You will also provide reference and research consultation to support instructional programs designed for Japanese Studies. Furthermore, you will be a liaison to the Center for Japanese Studies and respond to the Center's needs in coordination of its activities and projects. As a member of the Asia Library, you will collaborate with a dynamic group of colleagues, including subject specialists and technical services experts. You will report to the Director of the Asia Library.
We encourage our employees to incorporate their backgrounds, skills, and life experiences into our work environment and in putting our values into practice. For more information, please see our Library Mission, Vision, and Values.
What You'll Do
- Collection Development and Acquisitions (40%)
- Provide leadership for collection development and ongoing collection management of the Japanese Studies collection.
- Identify budget needs for the collection and make recommendations to the Director of Asia Library for budget allocation. Manage the appropriate spending of acquisition funds.
- Stay informed about important developments and trends in academic programs, faculty research, and other academically related matters affecting collection development and research services.
- Collaborate with the Head of Asia Library Technical Services to establish cataloging priorities and fine-tune work procedures for Japanese materials in all formats.
- Reference, Instruction, and Other Services (50%)
- Provide in-person and virtual instruction and reference services to the U-M faculty, students, and researchers in Japanese Studies, as well as patrons outside the university community on topics related to Japanese Studies.
- Initiate instruction opportunities about Japanese Studies or Japanese resources for faculty and students.
- Work with the Center for Japanese Studies to communicate and publicize library resources, events, and programs to the U-M Japanese Studies community; apprise faculty and students of library-wide services.
- Assist visiting Japanese Studies scholars and librarians. Receive official guests.
- Establish and maintain good relationships in written and spoken Japanese with international libraries, research institutions, publishers, and vendors; maintain knowledge of the book market, publishing trends, and electronic resources for Japanese Studies.
- Professional Development & Service (10%)
- Represent the University of Michigan Library in regional, national, and international organizations relevant to Japanese Studies librarianship.
Required Qualifications*
- ALA-accredited master's degree in Library and Information Studies and/or an advanced degree in Japanese Studies or a related field.
- One or more years of relevant professional or paraprofessional work experience in a research library or equivalent research setting.
- Spoken and written language proficiency in Japanese and English. Your proficiency should allow you to maintain relationships with international institutions, vendors, and scholars.
- Demonstrated subject competency in Japanese Studies.
- Familiarity with bibliographic tools and information resources relevant to research in Japanese and East Asian Studies.
Desired Qualifications*
- Experience managing collection budgets, e-resources, and vendor relations.
- Demonstrated commitment to outstanding public service and user education for a diverse academic community.
- Knowledge or experience in digital scholarship and data management, especially as it pertains to Japanese Studies.
- Demonstrated commitment to professional development.
Modes of Work
The work of this position takes place on the Ann Arbor campus. This position may be eligible for hybrid work mode at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually and are subject to change dependent on the business needs of the hiring department, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.
Additional Information
The anticipated hire date is in April 2027.
This appointment is subject to the UM/LEO-GLAM collective bargaining agreement.
Appointment is anticipated as an Assistant Librarian, Associate Librarian, or Senior Associate Librarian. Salary and rank are dependent on the candidate's qualifications and experience. The target salary ranges for this position are $65,000 to $70,000 for the Assistant Librarian rank; $71,000 to $80,000 for the Associate Librarian rank, and $81,000 to $90,000 for the Senior Associate Librarian rank.
Librarian appointments carry with them increased expectations regarding professional development, professional engagement, research, and service, in keeping with the library's process for librarian promotion and advancement.
The University of Michigan offers a comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, and vision insurance, generous time off (24 vacation days per year, and 15 sick days per year), matched retirement contributions with immediate vesting, professional development opportunities, and more. TIAA and Fidelity Investments' retirement benefits are available.
For questions about this posting or to request accommodations, please contact [email protected].
Union Affiliation
This position is covered under the collective bargaining agreement between the U-M and the Lecturers Employee Organization, AFL-CIO, on behalf of their Librarian, Archivists, and Curator bargaining unit (LEO-GLAM), which contains and settles all matters with respect to wages, benefits, hours, and other terms and conditions of employment.
It is the policy of the University of Michigan to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and other applicable federal and state laws that prohibit discrimination on the basis of disability. Pursuant to the 2025-2029 UM|LEO-GLAM agreement, each appointing unit will designate an administrative contact ("administrative designee") who is responsible for communicating with the necessary parties about accommodation requests made by employees in that appointing unit on each campus. The Administrative Designee for Collections-Asia Library is Deb Jackson. They may be reached at (734) 764-2546 or [email protected].
Employees on the Ann Arbor, Dearborn, or Flint Campuses may also contact the Disability Equity Office by email at [email protected], by phone at 734763-0235, or by visiting their website.
Application Deadline
This job posting will be open for at least 30 days. This job may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.
Applications will be reviewed as received throughout the posting period and continue until the position is filled.
U-M EEO Statement
The University of Michigan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.