Indigenous Studies Librarian

TO APPLY: Interested candidates should attach a cover letter and resume/CV, both as PDF Documents, to their application in the Newberry Career Center. Applications sent without both a resume and cover letter will not be considered. To be considered for this role, applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship. If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you may request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable to apply for a job on this site as a result of your disability. You can request reasonable accommodations by email.

SUMMARY: Reporting to the Director of Reader Services, the American Indian and Indigenous Studies Librarian performs reference, instruction, and outreach duties, with special emphasis on American Indian and Indigenous Studies and the histories of Latin America, the Philippines, and Hawaii, the major strengths of the Ayer and Greenlee collections at the Newberry Library. The Librarian also serves in other functional areas related to these collections, based on the needs of the Library.

Between 2026-2030, this position will mainly focus on supporting a Mellon Implementation grant, “Expanding Indigenous Access and Stewardship at the Newberry Library.” The Mellon-funded Implementation grant is a five-year community-driven initiative that centers Indigenous voices, builds lasting relationships, and creates accessible, sustainable pathways to Indigenous histories and knowledge. Building on a 2020–2023 Mellon-funded planning grant and larger institutional initiatives, the project will fund community-led research, digitization, and training—ensuring that American Indian and Alaska Native nations have greater access to and control over the presentation of historical materials that contain their histories and knowledge.

This position is part of a bargaining unit represented by AFSCME Council 31.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide reference assistance to library patrons in person, on the phone, and via email—especially but not limited to specialized reference assistance relating to the Ayer and Greenlee collections and American Indian and Indigenous Studies:
  • Responds to reference and genealogy correspondence;
  • Serves at the library’s reference desk, registers patrons in the Welcome Center, and responds to questions at other service points as needed;
• Provide instruction, tours, and library orientation to tribal nations, visiting groups, resident fellows, and classes; 
• Participate in Mellon grant-related projects and meetings
• Participate in the development of print and online content for instruction, outreach, promotion of Newberry collections, and service to readers;
• Participate in reference service planning, collection management, library committees, special projects, and other tasks or activities as needed for the achievement of departmental goals;
• Keep abreast of current developments in librarianship, pedagogy with primary sources, and instructional technologies;
• Participate in other tasks or activities needed for the achievement of departmental goals.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• MLS or MLIS from ALA-accredited institution.
• Coursework in American Indian and Indigenous Studies and/or Latin American history required.
• Reading and speaking knowledge of Spanish, Portuguese, or an American Indian language strongly preferred.
• Strong general knowledge of the humanities required. 
• Excellent interpersonal skills and strong public service orientation requiring tact, patience, and flexibility required.

• Experience in a research library providing reference, instruction, and outreach preferred.
• Experience in a special collections, archives, or museum setting preferred. 
• Knowledge of a variety of print and electronic reference sources and the scholarly literature of American Indian and Indigenous Studies preferred.
• History of working with and providing information services to an American Indian community or tribe preferred.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Physical strength, mobility, and endurance required to lift up to 25 pounds occasionally. 

SCHEDULE: This is a full-time, exempt position, working 35 hours per week, with normal hours generally from 9:00 AM-5:00 PM, Tuesday through Saturday. Incumbent may work evening and weekend hours, as needed. The incumbent will  primarily work onsite.

BENEFITS: For more information, please see the "What We Offer" section on the Newberry Careers page.

THE NEWBERRY LIBRARY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.

For more information, please see the Newberry Careers page (https://www.newberry.org/careers).