UBC Alumni Weekend 2013 is nearly here!

In celebration of this special event on May 25, the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre will host a program featuring UBC alumnus Dr. Laifong Leung. Professor Leung will talk about the Chinese community in Canada in the 20th century as part of “Chinese Canadian Stories: From Early Literature to Modern Archives.” The event takes place from 1:15 to 3:15 p.m. at the Learning Centre’s Chilcotin Room (Room 256).

Tours of UBC’s cultural collections at the Museum of Anthropology and the exceptional Chung Collection at UBC Library’s Rare Books and Special Collections (RBSC) will complement this talk. The Chung Collection, located on level one of the Learning Centre, will also be open for self-guided tours from noon to 4 p.m.; visitors will receive limited edition Chung Collection magnets.

Library staff will also be activating alumni cards in the Student Union Building; stop by and say hello!


For more information, please visit Alumni Weekend at the Learning Centre or contact event organizer Allan Cho.


The University of British Columbia | Okanagan Campus

DESCRIPTION

The Library at UBC’s Okanagan campus invites applications from innovative, enthusiastic, service-oriented librarians for a term position as a Learning Services Librarian.  Reporting to the Deputy Chief Librarian at UBC Library, Okanagan campus, the Learning Services Librarian provides reference service, delivers instructional programs and contributes to collection development.  In addition, the successful candidate has specific responsibility to coordinate library collections for UBC’s Okanagan campus, providing leadership in collection development and management by bringing vision and organization to the acquisition of scholarly content in all relevant formats. The Learning Services Librarian will contribute to the overall planning for library services and spaces.

A job description can be viewed online. 

ENVIRONMENT

The University of British Columbia’s Okanagan campus is situated in Kelowna, about 400 km east of Vancouver in the heart of the Okanagan Valley. UBC’s Okanagan campus is an intimate learning environment with an excellent library infrastructure. Check out the campus website for more information.

Currently, there are approximately 8,000 UBC Okanagan undergraduate and graduate students and 370 faculty at UBC’s Okanagan campus. Administratively, the Okanagan campus Library reports to the Provost & Vice Principal.  Additionally, the Okanagan campus Library’s collections are integrated with UBC Library and library staff contributes to activities of the UBC Library.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required: An ALA accredited MLIS or equivalent; knowledge of library systems and applications; knowledge of reference and instructional methodologies; excellent organizational and analytical skills; excellent written and oral communications skills; ability to perform effectively independently and in collaboration with others.

Demonstrated competencies in collection development and management, budgeting, and policy development would be an asset.

TERMS OF APPOINTMENT

This is a fixed term appointment until July 31, 2014. Librarians are members of The University of British Columbia Faculty Association and the terms and conditions of appointment are governed by collective agreement.

Salary will be commensurate with experience and academic/professional qualifications. 

APPLICATION PROCESS

Applications for this exciting fixed term opportunity are to be submitted by e-mail in one consolidated file (PDF or Microsoft word format) and will include: a letter of application, including a statement of citizenship/immigration status, indicating the candidate’s education, training, and work experience in the areas listed above; a detailed and current curriculum vitae; and the names of three referees with their email addresses.

To ensure full consideration, complete applications are to be submitted by 5:00 pm PST on June 21 2013 to:

Lois Marshall
Learning Services Administrator | Library
The University of British Columbia | Okanagan Campus
3333 University Way Kelowna BC V1V 1V7
 

Or by e-mail to lois.marshall@ubc.ca

UBC hires on the basis of merit and is committed to employment equity. The University especially welcomes applications from visible minority groups, women, Aboriginal persons, persons with disabilities, persons of minority sexual orientations and gender identities, and others with the skills and knowledge to engage productively with diverse communities. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply. However, Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada will be given priority.

This month’s issue of LibFOCUS is packed with things to do at UBC Library this month, including tours, exhibits, Asian Heritage month events and a survey to take.

The readership survey ends May 21, 2013.

The Irving K. Barber Learning Centre is pleased to announce a new grant to assist B.C. Indigenous organizations in converting audio cassette tapes for preservation and access.

The B.C. Aboriginal Audio Digitization and Preservation Program will provide equipment, training and funding support for the conversion of audio materials on cassette to digital preservation formats. The program, which accepts applications twice a year, also seeks to promote enhanced and appropriate access to these recordings for communities, and where possible, the broader public.

“The B.C. Aboriginal Audio Digitization Program is an excellent example of the Learning Centre’s community digitization efforts,” says Simon Neame, Director of the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre. “We encourage communities throughout British Columbia to apply for the program, which will help revitalize and preserve Indigenous cultural and historical resources for generations to come.”

The program is a collaboration between the Learning Centre, the First Nations Technology Council and the UBC Museum of Anthropology, among others. It is part of the Indigitization Program, which focuses on the conservation and preservation of Aboriginal community information resources.

Eligibility

B.C. First Nations, Métis and Inuit community institutions and agencies that have the preservation of information resources as part of their mandate are eligible to apply for funding. Other Aboriginal organizations will be considered with a statement of support, such as a Band Council Resolution from local governance, indicating how the materials produced will be managed.

Access

At-risk audio materials in B.C.’s Aboriginal communities may require digitization before access protocols can be established. Although enhanced and open access to cultural materials is a primary goal of the Learning Centre, projects that seek to establish protocol-based access are encouraged to apply.

Deadline

The deadline for applications is July 15, 2013. Additional information, including funding details, application guidelines, adjudication criteria, reporting requirements and more is available at indigitization.ca.

For further information, please contact:

Sarah Dupont, Program Coordinator, Aboriginal Audio Digitization Program

sarah.dupont@ubc.ca

Gordon Yusko, Assistant Director, Irving K. Barber Learning Centre

gordon.yusko@ubc.ca

Humanities and Social Sciences Division

(Term – 1 year)

UBC Library

The University of British Columbia Library is one of the largest academic libraries in Canada and consistently ranks among the top university research libraries in North America. UBC Library has 15 branches and divisions, including two campuses (Vancouver and Kelowna), one off-site hospital library, and the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre, a multi-purpose teaching and learning facility.

The Library’s collections include over 6.3 million volumes, 850,000 electronic books,150,000 electronic journals, 27,000 numeric data files, 5.6 million digital pages, and 850,000 maps, audio, DVD/video and graphic materials.

More than 300 knowledgeable employees – librarians, management and professional staff, support staff and student staff – provide users with the excellent resources and services that they need to further their research, teaching and learning.

For more information about UBC Library, please visit library.ubc.ca.

The UBC Library Strategic Plan 2010-2015 can be viewed at www.library.ubc.ca/strategicplan/.

Overview of the position

Provides instructional support, collections analysis, and assessment services in support of distance education students across disciplines at UBC.  Assumes responsibilities for liaison with assigned Library departments and campus partners supporting distance education.  Participates in the review of library policy, procedures and services related to distance education students.  Participates in the development and assessment of print and electronic library collections serving distance education students, and works in collaboration with liaison librarians to ensure distance education faculty and student needs are being met.   In collaboration with the Flexible Learning Librarian provides support for flexible learning initiatives on campus, including support for pilots in collaboration with campus and Faculty based instructional support units.  Participates in the assessment of support and services for flexible and distance learning.

Provides reference and information services in the humanities and social sciences, including government publications, maps, and data files, to faculty, students, and other users.  Assumes responsibility for designated subject areas and liaison with assigned departments.  Participates in the development of the library collections, and may assume responsibility as bibliographer for designated subjects, formats, jurisdictions, or languages.  Provides web-based and classroom instruction and assistance in use of information resources.  Plans and implements services that respond to needs of humanities and social sciences users.  Participates in the development of library policy, procedures, and services; and assumes responsibility for coordination and management of staff, services and projects as required.

Qualifications

A graduate degree from an accredited program in Library or Information Science, with relevant professional experience appropriate to academic librarianship, is required. Excellent written, oral and interpersonal communications skills are required.  An academic background in the humanities or social sciences is highly desirable.  Relevant knowledge gained through work or library experience in the post-secondary sector is highly desirable, as is familiarity with electronic information resources.  Demonstrated ability to work effectively as a team member, foster excellent peer interactions, and  take initiative.  Demonstrated ability to be adaptable and flexible.  Demonstrated experience in post-secondary instruction. Commitment to providing courteous, responsive, and innovative service to a diverse population of clients.  Ability to be effective in a complex, decentralized, rapidly changing work environment. Excellent decision-making and problem-solving skills.  Experience with emerging technologies – and their library, teaching, and reference applications – is essential.  Knowledge of trends and best practices as related to flexible and distance learning.

Terms of Appointment and Salary:

This new position will be filled as a full-time 1 year term from the date of hire.

Salary will be commensurate with experience and academic/professional qualifications. 

UBC hires on the basis of merit and is committed to employment equity. The University especially welcomes applications from visible minority groups, women, Aboriginal persons, persons with disabilities, persons of minority sexual orientations and gender identities, and others with the skills and knowledge to engage productively with diverse communities. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply. However, Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada will be given priority.

Applications will include: a letter of application, including a statement of citizenship/immigration status, indicating the candidate’s education and training; work experience in the areas listed above; evidence of teaching effectiveness, such as evaluations; a detailed and current curriculum vitae; and the names of three referees with their email addresses.

To view the complete job description and to submit an application please visit the UBC Careers page at http://facultycareers.ubc.ca/15567 by June 6, 2013.

The Generation One exhibition, one of the signature programs throughout Metro Vancouver during Asian Heritage Month, showcases Asian-Canadian artists’ creativity and vitality.

This year’s displays of paintings and calligraphy spotlights young local artists and established masters who are first-generation Asian Canadians or new immigrants. The aim of the exhibition, presented by explorASIAN, is to highlight artists from a Pan-Asian cultural spectrum, and to cultivate the appreciation of visual arts among youths and stimulate inter-generational interaction and learning. 

Displays are located in the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre Level 2 foyer and Ike’s cafe gallery, until May 30.

A simultaneous exhibition will be presented at the Asian Centre Auditorium from May 20 to May 27.

View the 2013 Vancouver Asian Heritage Month Flyer online.

For more information on the Generation One exhibit, visit the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre website.

The two spaces will continue to be operated by UBC Faculty of Medicine and will be accessible to UBC faculty and students for research and study.

The Library continues to provide the following services to UBC faculty, staff and students:

• Online access to UBC Library resources for UBC faculty, staff and students remains uninterrupted by these changes.
• Inter-library loans and document delivery and recall requests for UBC faculty, staff and students can be picked up at either the Biomedical Branch Library (Diamond Health Care Centre, 2775 Laurel Street, Floor 2) or at the Woodward Library at the UBC Vancouver campus (2198 Health Sciences Mall).
• For reference and research queries, please contact the Woodward Library at 604-822-4440.

UBC Affiliated Hospital Staff can apply for a Hospital Staff Card by visiting the Biomedical Branch Library or Woodward Library. For more information on library cards, visit the Library services website.

Borrowers are encouraged to return items to the Biomedical Branch Library, Woodward Library or any UBC Library branch.

On-site signage at both hospital branches will be posted to redirect UBC faculty, staff and students. We appreciate the patience of our library users during this transition.

Further questions or comments about the hospital library branches can be directed to Linda Ong, Director, Communications and Marketing at UBC Library at library.communications@ubc.ca. 

April 21 to 27 is Preservation Week. We asked Alvan Bregman, UBC Library’s Head of Technical Services, and Preservation Librarian, to answer a few questions on what preservation means at UBC Library. 

• Read more about UBC Library’s preservation efforts, including the development of the B.C. Integrated Research Library, in “The fight against mould, rot and decay,” in the April issue ofUBC Reports.
• Listen to a segment of CBC’s On the Coast with Stephen Quinn featuring Alvan Bregman (interview begins at 39 minute mark).
• Get involved – participate in the American Library Association’s Preservation Week from April 21 to 27.
• Learn more on how to protect your family treasures, courtesy of the Library of Congress.

What is a “preservation culture,” and why is it important to develop one at UBC Library?

We spend a lot of money acquiring items for our collection—we need to ensure that items are accessible, and are in good condition for as long as possible. A damaged book that must be taken out of circulation is of use to no one. By creating a “preservation culture” within the library, I mean building a concern for the preservation of our collections into all our policies and procedures.

That means finding ways to eliminate practices that are detrimental to library materials. For example, we should always use bookends to keep our books upright. To do this means we might have to pay a little more attention or rethink how we organize our shelves. If we are successful in creating a “preservation culture” then everyone will feel responsible to straighten books if they see them leaning on the shelf, and we would make this simple for people by having bookends on every shelf. That’s only one small example.

What are the top 3 priorities of the UBC Library preservation program for the upcoming year?

The top three priorities for the preservation program is to develop the new Preservation Unit within Technical Services, to provide a framework for stabilizing all material designated for high-density storage, and to provide training and education to staff and library users.

Before coming to UBC, you worked at the University of Illinois’s Rare Book and Manuscript Library, where you implemented a preservation program. What was the most significant challenge you observed when the preservation program was being implemented?

The most significant challenge in implementing a preservation program at Illinois was the scale of needs. Illinois was exceptional because the buildings were generally much older–compared to what we have here at UBC. The keys to success at Illinois were effective long-range planning, finding people with the right professional background, getting strong support from the library administration for preservation and conservation initiatives, and securing endowment and grant funding for a first-rate conservation lab.

Which organizations do you look to for the highest standards in preservation and conservation?

Within Canada, I look to the University of Toronto as a model and to the Canadian Conservation Institute for research and the provision of standards. In reality, though, one must look primarily to the United States, where there are many institutions and associations eminent in the field, such as the Library of Congress Preservation Department.

Earthquake preparedness is part of UBC Library’s Disaster Recovery Plan; what are the most important points for Library staff to keep in mind?

I would advise everyone to take disaster preparedness very seriously. The first element in our Collections Recovery plan is human safety. Once buildings are declared safe, our plan defines a structure for dealing with disasters, should they strike. The plan also contains information on handling affected material, who to call, etc. One of the steps we are currently taking is to create triage lists, so we know what material we consider irreplaceable or highly important. 

Woodward Library will be closed on Saturday May 4. The Library will resume normal hours on Sunday, May 5. 

We have received emails and questions from faculty, staff and students with regards to what the future model will be for these two hospital library branches. 

Moving forward, a new service model will be established that incorporates access to electronic collections, a core print collection, on-site librarian office hours and access to research and reference services located at Woodward Library. Library staff are also available at our Biomedical Branch at the Diamond Health Care Centre.

Online access to UBC Library resources for UBC faculty and students remains uninterrupted by these changes.

The spaces will continue to be operated by UBC Faculty of Medicine and will be accessible to UBC faculty and students for research and study.

We appreciate the patience of faculty, staff and students during the transition..

Should you have further questions or comments about the hospital library branches, please contact Linda Ong, Director, Communications and Marketing at library.communications@ubc.ca.

 To view the official announcement, visit the Library changes website.