Librarian for Japanese Collections

Details

Posted: 22-Mar-26

Location: Stanford, California

Type: Full-time

Categories: Staff/Administrative

Internal Number: 108517

A cover letter and resume are required. Position will be filled no sooner than September 1, 2026.

Stanford Libraries is seeking a full-time Librarian for the Japanese Collections to join the East Asia Library. The Libraries values are rooted in a commitment of mutual respect, the idea that every member of the staff has something to contribute, and that learning is constant. We seek a team member who is ready to share their skills and perspectives.

About Stanford Libraries:

Stanford Libraries is a network of over fifteen libraries with over 400 employees. We are committed to fueling teaching, learning and research across Stanford by acquiring, stewarding, and making available a robust collection, currently in excess of 12 million items. Everyone in the organization plays a vital role in fulfilling that objective. Our dedication to discoverability and information management also has us engaged in dynamic global partnerships. We are constantly building and strengthening our organization, and we recognize striving for excellence is a marathon and not a sprint. We are constantly trying to strike the right pace and admit there are times when we find ourselves at a fast jog. While we hope to always find candidates who fit within our organization, what we truly seek is someone who will add to our culture, our profession as well as the greater academic arena. We are invested in the success of our teams and the individuals who represent Stanford Libraries.

About the Position:

The Librarian for Japanese Collections oversees the development of a complex and multifaceted collection of Japanese language materials covering all areas of Japan's presence in Asia and beyond. This position requires a person to creatively consider the types of materials that will support current and future faculty and students and accurately represent Japan's influence throughout Asia and the world. Materials collected will be in Japanese, but the geographic scope is not limited to contemporary Japan. The librarian will be the primary point of contact for all scholars and students using Japanese language materials and will be expected to provide expert reference support for both physical and electronic resources. Scholars and librarians with expertise in Japanese language and academic interest in areas covered by Stanford faculty (literature, colonial empire, geography, etc.) are invited to apply.

The Librarian for Japanese Collections develops and manages social sciences and humanities collections focused on Japanese language resources and is responsible for providing reference and bibliographic assistance to Stanford faculty, students, and scholars using Japanese language materials.

Oversee reference and collection development in the Japanese language with attention to needs of current faculty and students. Assist library patrons (faculty, students, researchers, and other library users) with identifying and locating resources in Japanese. Provide focused services related to Japanese language materials, including teaching classes, giving library tours, and providing one-on-one consultation. Manage collection budget and collaborate with other areas of the library (Preservation, Metadata, Digital Library Systems and Services, etc.) with the aim of creating and promoting a unique academic collection. Collaborate with faculty, students, and staff to develop digital projects, online and physical exhibits, and events related to the Japanese collection.

Core Duties*:

• Plan, develop, and manage collections budget for materials in all formats, both current and retrospective, in the Japanese language, including preservation decision-making.
• Serve as liaison to Japanese Studies faculty and students, consulting and responding to teaching and research needs, keeping them apprised of latest resources, providing bibliographic and reference services. Provide superior service to library users through seminars, online guides, and reference consulting. Collaborate with faculty, students, and staff on classes, projects, online or in-person exhibits, and events.
• Identify and acquire unique academic collections. Enhance access to and promote unique collections through blog posts, developing online exhibits and/or a webpage for notable collections.
• Create and maintain Japanese collection webpage, resource guides.
• Represent Stanford University Libraries in national and international Japanese librarian meetings and organizations.
• Identify potential grant opportunities and develop proposals for special projects and/or major acquisitions. Collect data and write various reports to library and grant organizations.
• Select library materials for relocating to offsite storage and make decisions related to the need for evaluation by the preservation department.
• Evaluate services and products and make recommendations for the upgrade of electronic and manual resource tools.
• Collaborate with other librarians to assure coverage of interdisciplinary areas that lie outside conventional subject boundaries.
• Solicit, assess, and manage gift collections, including providing donors with information on terms of donated collections.
• May manage staff or student staff.

The job duties listed are typical examples of work performed by positions in this job classification and are not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities. Specific duties and responsibilities may vary depending on department or program needs without changing the general nature and scope of the job or level of responsibility. Employees may also perform other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Education and Experience:

• Advanced Degree in relevant academic discipline and/or in Library Science with demonstrated understanding of academic libraries and two or more years of relevant experience in a relevant library setting or a combination of education and relevant experience.

Minimum Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of Japanese history, literature, culture.
• Expert level proficiency in Japanese language.
• Knowledge of current research trends in Japanese studies.
• Knowledge of information resources related to Japanese materials in all formats.
• Knowledge of trends in publishing industry and book trade in Japan.
• Demonstrated ability to provide expert level reference for Japanese language resources.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in a team environment and across different groups.
• Demonstrated ability to evaluate online resources in terms of content quality, functionality, and user interface issues.
• Ability to write engaging descriptions to promote collections and/or projects.
• Understanding of contemporary library practices, trends, and emerging technologies.
• Ability to identify challenges and opportunities, engage others in their resolution and recommend appropriate courses of action.
• Commitment to contribute to the East Asia library at Stanford University and collaborate effectively with the rest of the SUL organization.
• Evidence of engagement in relevant professional or academic communities.
• Consistent display of excellent verbal and written communication skills, including strong presentation skills.
• Supplemental knowledge of Chinese, Korean or other Asian language, as well as relevant history and/or literature preferred.
• Experience with event planning, exhibit preparation, academic writing and presentations preferred.

Physical Requirements:

• Constantly sit, perform desk-based computer tasks.
• Frequently twist/bend/stoop/squat, grasp lightly/fine manipulation, grasp forcefully, sort/file paperwork or parts, lift/carry/push/pull objects that weigh up to 10 pounds.
• Occasionally stand/walk, reach/work above shoulders, writing by hand, kneel/crawl, climb (ladders, scaffolds, or other).
• Rarely use a telephone, operate hand controls.
• Must be able to push and maneuver a fully-loaded cart weighing up to 650 pounds that requires an initial push force up to 50 pounds.
• - Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodation to any employee with a disability who requires accommodation to perform the essential functions of the job.

Working Conditions:

May work in confined spaces and at heights 4-10 feet; be exposed to dust and mold; work extended hours, evenings and weekends.

Work Standards:

• Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrates the ability to work well with Stanford colleagues and clients and with external organizations.
• Promote Culture of Safety: Demonstrates commitment to personal responsibility and value for safety; communicates safety concerns; uses and promotes safe behaviors based on training and lessons learned.
• Subject to and expected to comply with all applicable University policies and procedures, including but not limited to the personnel policies and other policies found in the University's Administrative Guide, http://adminguide.stanford.edu.

The expected pay range for this position at Librarian 2 is $99,395 to $114,000 per annum. Stanford University provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of the salary wage the university reasonably expects to pay for a position upon hire. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographic location, and external market pay for comparable jobs. At Stanford University, base pay represents only one aspect of the comprehensive rewards package.

Stanford is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Additional Information

• Schedule: Full-time
• Job Code: 1782
• Employee Status: Regular
• Grade: H
• Requisition ID: 108517
• Work Arrangement: Hybrid Eligible