Call for Applicants: Japan Past & Present Library Services Team

Japan Past & Present (JPP) is excited to announce the following call for applicants to form our new Library Services Team. The JPP Library Services team will be a global body of volunteer Japan specialists in library and information sciences, including those employed at libraries, archives, museums, or other relevant institutions working in a variety of capacities (including but not limited to librarians, catalogers, metadata specialists, curators, etc.). 

In addition to contributing expertise to upcoming projects such as the Japan in Translation Database, we hope information science experts will collaborate with JPP administrators to tackle critical issues related to professional development for library and information specialists in Japanese humanities as well as accessibility and collections development challenges for Japan-related research materials at institutions around the world. 

Please share the call widely among your colleagues. Any questions may be directed to admin@japanpastandpresent.org. Information on applying may be found at the bottom of this email and applications are due October 31, 2024.

We look forward to reviewing your applications!

Call for Applicants: Japan Past & Present Library Services Team

Number of People: Maximum 3-4 people
Term: 2 years, with an option to renew once consecutively

Description

The Japan Past & Present (JPP) Library Services team is a global body of volunteer Japan specialists in library and information sciences, including those employed at libraries, archives, museums, or other relevant institutions in a variety of capacities related to information services. 

In the short term, these individuals will assist JPP administrators and project teams with information science-related questions and issues in the development of online and offline JPP projects and resources. In the long term, these individuals will contribute to strategic initiatives in support of the development and accessibility of global library resources for scholars and students of the Japanese humanities.

The Library Services team meets virtually on a quarterly basis to review and offer strategic advice and direction on JPP affairs including, but not limited to, program development, financial decisions, infrastructure, long and short term objectives, webpage development and user experience, and other matters as necessary. Library Services Team members have no legal or financial obligations to JPP. Their ability to collaborate, analyze, listen, share ideas and opinions, offer constructive feedback, and support the goals of JPP is critical to its success.

Meetings & Responsibilities

The Library Services Team will meet virtually four times a year. Barring extenuating circumstances, all team members must be present for a meeting to take place.

Library Services Team members are not responsible for administrative decisions pertaining to JPP, but may take internal votes to recommend new policies or courses of action. The team may be asked to provide feedback and recommendations on JPP website content, UX design, or other infrastructural matters. As such, members may be invited to join additional meetings with JPP administrators or project teams, and/or asked to participate in email exchanges on JPP matters.

The Library Services Team may also be asked to assist with the planning and organization of librarian professional development workshops or symposia supported by JPP. These events may be online or in-person, and JPP would offer organizers from the Team support for attendance or participation.

The Library Services Team may be asked to review and/or consult on library service-related grants sponsored by JPP to ensure their effectiveness and equitable distribution.

Reporting

Prior to each meeting, a team member will be designated to take meeting minutes. The proceedings of the meetings are to be considered confidential and are not to be shared with people outside of JPP administration.

The Library Services Team will be responsible for producing a 2–3 page summary of its recommendations in June of each year, offering feedback on the state of Japan Studies librarianship and any library-services related activities cosponsored by JPP, as well as recommendations for strategic support for library services globally in the coming year or long-term. This report will be submitted to the Director and Operations Leader.

Roles and Restrictions

A Library Services Team Chair will be selected by JPP’s Administrators for JPP’s first year. Library Services Team chairs will serve for terms of 2 years. Future Chairs will be nominated by team members and/or open calls, and then considered by JPP administration.

JPP Project Teams: Library Services Team members may serve on JPP project teams during their terms on the Library Services Team. However, they may not serve as Team Coordinators or Project Managers. They may not participate in application review committees or vote on recommendations that pose a conflict of interest with their ongoing projects.

Application

To apply for the Library Services Team, please submit the following materials in English or Japanese to Japan Past & Present Operations Leader, Paula R. Curtis, at admin@japanpastandpresent.org by October 31, 2024:

• Curriculum Vitae/Resume (2 pages max)

• Statement of Interest, outlining your experience and reasons for interest in the position (300-400 words, 500-750 characters)