Librarian for Visual Studies

The Librarian for Visual Studies actively engages with faculty, students, researchers, and staff in the department of Art, Art History, and Visual Studies. They support additional areas of study, including architecture, photography, digital art, computational media, material culture, and museology. The person in this position will work closely with the Duke Arts program and consult with patrons across the university interested in finding and using images for teaching and research. They collaborate with colleagues to provide and promote library resources and services that support these fields; manage the Libraries’ collections in these areas; and provide specialized and general research assistance and instruction to library users.

Responsibilities

Engagement

Uses outreach strategies to develop relationships with faculty and researchers that promote library expertise and services

Identifies current and emerging user needs to help inform the development of library programs, services, and partnerships

Promotes issues and services related to disciplinary research practices, data, publishing, and scholarly communication as appropriate

Research Support

Provides general research support and library information via chat, email, and/or at an assigned service desk

Provides specialized research consultations for students, faculty, staff, and visiting scholars

Teaching and Learning

Teaches disciplinary research tools and skills for both undergraduate and graduate students

Partners with faculty to provide library workshops and instructional materials for relevant courses in the curriculum, including First-Year Writing as needed

Develops and/or offers workshops in partnership with campus programs when relevant and as needed

Provides orientations and tours for user groups

Uses teaching strategies that foster an inclusive learning experience for students

Collections

Develops and manages library collections in relevant disciplines with a focus on diversity of formats, perspectives, and languages. Collaborates with library units to support the entire lifecycle of collections

Participates with Arts and Humanities subject librarians on collective collections decision-making, collections analysis, and team projects

Promotes the collections and resources to Duke’s researchers

Collaboration and Professional Growth

Creates a sense of belonging and success for students and other patrons with a focus on recognizing the value of diverse backgrounds and life experiences

Displays continuing growth in professional and subject knowledge and takes an active interest in the profession. Growth and interest should be demonstrated through continuing development of professional knowledge and abilities, membership and participation in professional organizations, and service to the library, University, or community in a professional capacity

Serves on departmental, library, and/or university teams and working groups as appropriate; collaborates effectively with team members to meet project goals

Participates in campus conversations and activities related to Duke’s and the Libraries’ strategic plans, the undergraduate curriculum, and other university priorities and initiatives. Attends and actively participates in pertinent academic departmental activities, such as departmental meetings, poster sessions, and talks

Other tasks and responsibilities as assigned

Supervisory Responsibilities

None

Qualifications

It is the expectation that all Duke University Libraries staff members will demonstrate exceptional workplace behaviors in the execution of their specific position responsibilities. These behaviors are customer focus, collaboration, creative problem solving, continuous learning, and a commitment to creating a culture of inclusion that values and respects diversity of perspective, background, and experience.

Education:

Required: Master’s degree from an ALA-accredited program or an advanced degree in a relevant subject area.

Experience:

Required: Excellent oral and written communication skills; broad knowledge of the Libraries’ role in arts and humanities instruction and research; awareness of national and international issues and trends in the arts and visual literacy; experience creating exhibitions and book displays; and ability to work independently and collaboratively in a rapidly changing environment. Interest in and aptitude for learning emerging technologies and web applications; commitment to data-informed decision-making. Three months relevant experience; strong interpersonal, oral and written communication skills; able to work independently and as a member of a team; basic proficiency using computer based technology; ability to effectively organize and prioritize daily work; demonstrated commitment to providing outstanding customer services.

Preferred: Prior experience working in an academic research library. One year of library experience to obtain a specialized knowledge of library systems and procedures.

Working Conditions

Normal office environment

Must be able to work in an environment in which exposure to materials containing dust and mold is possible

Occasional weekend and evening shifts required

These statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the employee in this position. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of a person in this position.

Salary and Benefits:

Duke University provides an annual base salary range for this position as USD $61,000 USD to $70,000 USD. Duke considers factors such as scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate’s experience, education, key skills, internal equity, and market considerations when extending an offer. All salary offers will be based on the candidate's years of experience, rank, and considerations of internal equity. Comprehensive benefits package includes 20 days vacation, 14 holidays, 12 days sick leave; health, dental, disability and life insurance and support for professional development and training.

Application:

Cover letter, detailed resume and the names, addresses (mailing and e-mail), and telephone numbers of three references should be submitted to https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/32361 . Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. Priority given to applicants who apply by Monday, August 24, 2026.

Applications which are missing any of the components listed above will not be reviewed.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas-an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Duke University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual’s age, color, disability, genetic information, gender, gender identity, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, or veteran status. The Duke University Libraries have a strong commitment to Affirmative Action and is actively seeking to increase the racial and ethnic diversity of our staff.