Founded in 1863, Boston College is a Jesuit, Catholic university located six miles from downtown Boston with an enrollment of 9,484 full-time undergraduates and 5,250 graduate and professional students. Ranked 35 among national universities, Boston College has 888 full-time and 1,281 FTE faculty, 2,711 non-faculty employees, an operating budget of $1.4 billion, and an endowment in excess of $3.5 billion.

The Ricci Institute for Chinese-Western Cultural History at Boston College is an internationally renowned research center for the study of East Asian-Western cultural exchange, with a particular focus on the global history of Christianity. The Ricci Institute library contains rare books, special collections, archival materials, as well as extensive reference materials, historical artifacts, and works of art. The Institute is seeking a creative and collaborative public services Special Collections Librarian to coordinate, deliver, and support a range of user-focused services including:

●integrating special collections materials in teaching and learning

●supervising onsite and remote reference and research services

●participating in the Ricci Institute’s scholarly programs

The ideal candidate will have a passion for the interdisciplinary study of East Asian history and for providing effective, efficient, and user-centered public services, both as a reference specialist and archivist. They will have the demonstrated ability to work in a team environment where consultation, communication, creativity, collaboration, and flexibility are all essential skills. Responsibilities will evolve as the Ricci Institute environment changes.

REQUIRED:

●A doctoral degree in East Asian History.

●Ability to speak Chinese, Japanese, or Korean, and some proficiency in classical Chinese. Reading proficiency in one or more modern European languages.

●Experience in providing reference, instruction, and outreach services in a Special Collections library, research library, archives, or cultural institutional setting.

●Demonstrates a strong commitment to promoting and enhancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of library work.

●Ability to work collaboratively and collegially with diverse groups.

●Demonstrated ability to explain and clarify information to staff and researchers possessing different degrees of aptitude.

●Effective and engaging reference, presentation, and/or instruction skills.

●Strong communication, analytical, and problem-solving skills.

●Demonstrates ability to work independently and collaboratively.

●Ability to work occasional evening and weekend hours.

●Willingness and interest in continual learning through work-related experiences, training, and professional development.

PREFERRED:

●ALA-accredited Master’s Degree in Library or Information Science.

●Knowledge of current and emerging trends in historical research.

●Knowledge of primary source information.