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Thursday, January 21, 2016

[LIBJOBS] United States - Rochester, New York - Director, Rare Books, Special Collections and Preservation

The University of Rochester is conducting a search for a Director for Rare Books, Special Collections and Preservation.  Please see the following job description:

 

 

River Campus Libraries, University of Rochester

Joseph N. Lambert and Harold B. Schleifer Director of Rare Books, Special Collections and Preservation

 

The River Campus Libraries at the University of Rochester seeks an innovative and collaborative leader with a vision for special collections in the 21st century. The successful candidate will be a forward thinking leader who is knowledgeable and enthusiastic about the changing nature of librarianship and the implications for special collections. The Director will provide leadership and strategic vision for the department by blending traditional and innovative academic library practices that integrate special collections content and services with the teaching, learning and research mission of this multidisciplinary research institution. Landmark collections include Susan B. Anthony, Frederick Douglass, William H. Seward, the Kodak Historical Collection, and an international collection of AIDS Education posters. Reporting to the AD Academic Engagement, the incumbent will work closely with the Dean of the River Campus Libraries (RCL) on advancement and donor relations.

 

A qualified candidate may be appointed at the Assistant or Associate Dean level and will report directly to the Dean RCL and will have oversight for the Rossell Hope Robbins Library, one of the most comprehensive collections of medieval studies in North America, and the Koller-Collins Center for English Studies, a reference collection for literary study, and will serve on the River Campus Libraries’ Strategic Leadership Team.

 

Responsibilities include:

  • Articulate a compelling vision, in alignment with River Campus Libraries’ Strategic Priorities, for the value of rare books, special collections and archives in advanced research, classroom teaching, and broader community engagement.
  • Set strategic directions and priorities for a range of proactive and responsive services in support of faculty, graduate, and undergraduate student research and teaching using primary source materials and distinctive collections.
  • Oversee planning and installation of exhibits, lectures and other public programming showcasing rare books and special collections.
  • Supervise, mentor, and support the professional advancement of 8 special collections staff. Collaborate with colleagues from across the Libraries to support a growing digitization program and position the Department to effectively collect and manage born digital materials.
  • Set policies and priorities for collection development for physical and digital special collections, including both donations and purchases and oversees management of endowments.
  • Coordinate preservation program and oversees projects funded by state grants and submit annual proposals for new projects.
  • Responsible for environmental conditions and space planning for the department, and advises on environmental conditions for collections at large.
  • Identify opportunities to cultivate undergraduate research projects through engagement with collections and cross-departmental collaboration.
  • Work with colleagues in other cultural institutions in the Rochester area and beyond to collaborate on events, exhibitions, collections, preservation and processing initiatives.
  • Work closely with the Vice Provost and Dean of the River Campus Libraries to build and steward donor relations.
  • Work with Assistant and Associate Deans on the Strategic Leadership Team to evaluate, integrate, streamline and improve technical services workflow and digitization workflows for special collections.
  • Foster a team oriented work environment and facilitate communication and collaborative relationship building within and external to the Libraries.
  • If appointed at the Assistant or Associate Dean level will oversee the Robbins Library and Koller- Collins Center, setting strategic directions and priorities for innovative uses of medieval and pre-modern physical and digital collections.

 

Required Qualifications:

  • Master’s degree from an ALA-accredited program in library, information, or archival science.
  • Minimum of five years of professional experience, demonstrating increasing responsibility in a research library environment; for appointment at the Assistant or Associate Dean level, a minimum of seven years of professional experience.
  • Thorough knowledge of professional theory and best practices in managing, collecting, organizing, and preserving rare books, archival collections, and special collections.
  • Expertise in applying new and emerging information and library technologies to special collections, and experience with digital scholarship initiatives.
  • Demonstrated leadership experience.
  • Proven effectiveness working with students, faculty, and researchers.
  • Ability to lead initiatives for digital access to collections.
  • Outstanding written and oral communications and interpersonal skills.
  • Strong commitment to diversity.

 

Desired Qualifications:

  • Demonstrated success in fundraising, including grant writing and donor relations.
  • Project management skills and experience.
  • An additional advanced professional or academic degree in a relevant discipline.

 

The Libraries, the University, and the Area

The Department of Rare Books, Special Collections and Preservation contains more than 100,000 books and 400 manuscript collections in addition to several thousand individual manuscript items such as letters, diaries, and account books. The Local History collection contains materials that represent the history of Rochester and upstate New York in books, manuscripts, prints, photographs, and maps.  The Department includes the University Archives. According to policy set by the University Board of Trustees, the Archives functions as a repository for both governance and historical documents of the University, since its founding in 1850. For more information, see: www.library.rochester.edu/rbscp.

 

Located on the fourth floor of the University’s Rush Rhees Library, the Rossell Hope Robbins Library houses one of the most comprehensive medieval studies collections in North America. The Koller-Collins Center for English Studies began as the English Department’s core collection for graduate study of literature. The collection has evolved from representing the canon of the field into a reference collection for literary study. For more information, see www.library.rochester.edu/robbins/home.

 

The University of Rochester Libraries belongs to the Association of Research Libraries and has collections of more than three million volumes and more than 44,000 active serial titles. The River Campus Libraries, the largest of three library systems at the University of Rochester, is in the process of implementing the third year of a five-year transformational strategic plan. This provides a unique opportunity for incumbents to implement the strategies to achieve the Libraries vision of becoming a collaborative hub of innovation in support of the Schools we support. For more information on the University and the Libraries, please consult our website: www.library.rochester.edu

The University of Rochester is the sixth largest private employer in New York State and one of the nation's leading private universities with just over 5,600 undergraduate and over 4,600 full and part-time graduate students on the River Campus. Located in Rochester, New York, the University gives students exceptional opportunities for interdisciplinary study and close collaboration with faculty through its unique cluster-based curriculum.

Among the 100 largest metropolitan regions in the country, Greater Rochester has earned a reputation as one of the most livable communities in the nation. Located on the southern shore of Lake Ontario and gateway to the scenic Finger Lakes, Rochester offers its 1.1 million residents the amenities of a metropolitan area with a quality of life not available in many urban regions.

 

Rochester is recognized as one of the most affordable housing markets in the country. Several high schools in the metropolitan area have been consistently listed by Newsweek as among the best in the country. The metropolitan area boasts 20,000 acres of parkland and offers year-round recreational opportunities for those who like to be outdoors in all seasons. In addition to hosting past PGA and Ryder cup tournaments and the LPGA tour, Rochester is also home to top-level minor league baseball, hockey, soccer, and lacrosse teams. For more information about living in Rochester, see www.rochestermadeforliving.com.

 

Salary and Benefits:

We offer a competitive salary commensurate with experience, as with appointment at the Assistant or Associate Dean level. The University of Rochester offers comprehensive benefits package; choice of retirement programs including TIAA-CREF; twenty-five days paid vacation and seven calendar holidays; and tuition benefits.

 

Applications will be accepted immediately and until the position is filled. In addition to applying online, please send letter of application, resume, and the names, addresses and phone numbers of three references to:

 

Kelley Kitrinos, Human Resources Manager
Rush Rhees Library, Box 270055
University of Rochester
Rochester, NY 14627

E-mail address: RCLHR@library.rochester.edu 

Apply online here - http://www.rochester.edu/working/hr/jobs/  

 

Reference ID: 193356

 

EOE Minorities / Females / Protected Veterans / Disabled

 

 

Latasha L. Hill

Administrative Assistant

River Campus Libraries, HR

latasha.hill@rochester.edu

(585) 275-9323

 

Learn more about us: www.library.rochester.edu

 

 

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