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Augusta Baker Endowed Chair in Childhood Literacy School of Library & Information Science (SLIS) University of South Carolina-Columbia The School of Library and Information Science at the University of South Carolina seeks an outstanding candidate to fill the Augusta Baker Endowed Chair in Childhood Literacy, the first academic chair at the University of South Carolina honoring an African-American woman. Augusta Baker was the first African American Coordinator of Children's Services at the New York Public Library and former Storyteller-in-Residence at the University of South Carolina. Nationally known as an outstanding librarian, storyteller and author she worked to abolish stereotypes in children's literature. She helped bring attention to the need for children to have stories, characters and settings with which they could identify. She emphasized that hearing stories was a child's first step to literacy. The successful candidate will build on the Baker legacy of excellence in childhood literacy and youth services and provide national and state leadership in the teaching, research, and service missions of the School of Library and Information Science (SLIS). The Chair will be actively involved with the South Carolina Center for Children's Books and Literacy, a SLIS initiative dedicated to research, development, and community involvement to eliminate illiteracy in South Carolina. The Chair will work to bridge the gap between the University and the needs of communities throughout the state. The required qualifications for this tenure track position include: * An earned doctorate; * Achievement commensurate with appointment at the rank of professor is preferred although appointment at the rank of associate professor will be considered; * A research agenda in childhood literacy and youth services or children's literature; * A record of publication and successful grant-funded research; * Excellence in teaching; * Demonstrated successful projects in community collaboration; * A history of professional involvement; and * A commitment to cultural diversity. The SLIS-MLIS program is fully accredited by the American Library Association (ALA), and its school media preparation program is approved by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). In addition to the MLIS degree, SLIS offers the Ph.D. and two other post-master's degrees. The School also offers an undergraduate degree in information science. The University of South Carolina is a Carnegie Research I institution and recognizes that the strength and reputation of SLIS are integral to the mission of the University. We are an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer committed to building a culturally diverse faculty, staff, and student body, and are responsive to the needs of dual career couples. The review of applications and nominations for the position will begin December 10, 2010 and continue until the position is filled. Salary is fully competitive. Applicants should submit electronically a letter of intent (including research and teaching and community involvement interests) and curriculum vitae with the names of three references (in .pdf or .doc format) to: Dean Tom McNally, Chair Augusta Baker Endowed Chair in Childhood Literacy Search Committee School of Library and Information Science 1501 Greene Street, 113 Davis College University of South Carolina Columbia, SC 29208 [log in to unmask] Phone: (803) 777-3858; FAX: (803) 777-7938 Dr. S. K. Hastings Director and Professor School of Library and Information Science University of South Carolina Davis College 1501 Greene St. Columbia, SC 29208 803-777-3858 [log in to unmask] http://www.libsci.sc.edu