-------- Original Message --------
Subject: RE: Needing tips on finding University Map Librarian/Liaison
ositions
Date: Thu, 8 Mar 2012 20:24:02 +0000
From: Ken Rockwell <[log in to unmask]>
To: Maps, Air Photo, GIS Forum - Map Librarianship <[log in to unmask]>

Amanda, it may be difficult to find a full-time map library position,
but if you're flexible and take a position with another emphasis at a
library that has a substantial map collection, something may develop.
My own experience: The University of Utah's Marriott Library has a good
map collection that was part of the Science and Engineering division
back in 1989 when I arrived.  A member of that division oversaw the
collection as part of her responsibilities.  I was hired as a cataloger,
and spent most of my first 5 years cataloging the maps.  The map person
knew of my interest in the maps (I had a goal of becoming a map
librarian from day 1 of library school), so she got me involved in map
acquisition and recruited me to work the reference desk for some hours.
  Later she left the division for another position, and I inherited the
collection, becoming the main resource person for maps in the library.
I arranged to have an office next to the map collection so that I could pr!
  ovide onsite reference. My primary responsibilities are still
cataloging and digital collections metadata, but I'm always ready for
helping with the maps, and the reference librarians always punt map
questions to me.
Which brings up the fact that many of our colleagues are a bit shy of
dealing with the maps, and if a library does not have a dedicated map
person, they will happily pass that responsibility to someone who wants
it.  Look around for a position you could live with for now, in a
library that has a good collection. Express interest from the start in
working with the maps, and your position might evolve to include them,
even if it isn't your sole focus.  Worked for me...

---Ken Rockwell
   University of Utah

-----Original Message-----
From: Maps, Air Photo, GIS Forum - Map Librarianship
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Angie Cope, American
Geographical Society Library, UW Milwaukee
Sent: Thursday, March 08, 2012 10:51 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Needing tips on finding University Map Librarian/Liaison
positions

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: RE: Needing tips on finding University Map Librarian/Liaison
positions
Date: Thu, 8 Mar 2012 17:49:14 +0000
From: McEathron, Scott R <[log in to unmask]>
To: Maps, Air Photo, GIS Forum - Map Librarianship <[log in to unmask]>


Amanda,

You are probably not searching the wrong way.  Most of the jobs get
advertised here on Maps-L, http://joblist.ala.org/,
http://www.arl.org/resources/careers/positions/index.shtml, or the
Chronicle of Higher Education .  It seems that there are fewer of the
traditional Map & Geography librarian jobs advertised each year.  The
profession has really changed the last ten years--and continues to
change.  The  collections and liaison model is changing--especially in
the big academic research libraries that have traditionally hired the
most map librarians.  Positions and roles are changing for the
mid-career professionals as well.  Keep trying.  For every success, I
experienced a lot of failures.  I would be happy to talk in more detail
off list.
Best wishes,
Scott McEathron
University of Kansas Libraries
(785) 864-4662

-----Original Message-----
From: Maps, Air Photo, GIS Forum - Map Librarianship
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Angie Cope, American
Geographical Society Library, UW Milwaukee
Sent: Thursday, March 08, 2012 10:26 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Needing tips on finding University Map Librarian/Liaison positions

-------- Original Message --------
Subject:        Needing tips on finding University Map Librarian/Liaison
positions
Date:   Thu, 8 Mar 2012 09:51:21 -0500
From:   Amanda Mays <[log in to unmask]>
To:     [log in to unmask]



Hi all,
I am looking for tips on how to search for a position as a University
Maps Librarian or a University Librarian position that would allow me to
serve as a Liaison to a Geography Department.
I have a B.A. and M.A. in Geography, a MLIS (Dec. 2012), and ten years
of experience working in a University Library. I have been looking at
LibGigs and a couple other sites, but it has been difficult to find a
job specifically for what I would like to do- particularly the Liaison
role. Either I am searching in the wrong way, or there really aren't
many jobs for what I want to do.
It would be greatly appreciated if anyone has tips on methods of
searching, search terms to use, job sites specifically for Liaison
positions and/or Map librarian positions, etc.
Thanks so much,
Amanda

--
Amanda Mays
LISSA President,
MLIS Graduate Student
School of Library & Information Science
University of South Carolina