Associate Director of Scholarly Resources [Librarian IV]
Nettie Lee Benson Latin American Collection
The University of Texas Libraries — The University of Texas at Austin
The Benson Latin American Collection
The Nettie Lee Benson Latin American Collection (http://www.lib.utexas.edu/benson/), a unit of the University of Texas Libraries (http://www.lib.utexas.edu/), is one of the premiere libraries in the world focused on Latin America and Latino Studies. In partnership with the Teresa Lozano Long Institute for Latin American Studies (LLILAS) (http://www.utexas.edu/cola/insts/llilas/), the Benson Collection is a regular destination for visitors from throughout the world. The Benson Collection is a specialized research library focusing on materials from and about Latin America, and materials relating to Latinos in the United States.
The Benson Collection is continually enriched by a vigorous acquisitions program and by a growing collection of original digital resources available online. The Benson Collection contains over 970,000 books, periodicals, and pamphlets and microforms, 4,000 linear feet of manuscripts, 19,000 maps, 11,500 broadsides, 90,500 photographs, and 50,000 items in a variety of other media. The Rare Books and Manuscripts division is one of four UT Austin sites with extensive holdings of rare materials—from the “first books” published in the Americas in sixteenth-century Mexico, to the personal libraries and papers of key figures in the contemporary history of Latin and Latino/a America. The Collection annually hosts hundreds of scholars from the United States, Latin American, Europe, and Asia.
Since 2011, the Benson Collection has been in formal partnership with LLILAS, now operating collaboratively as LLILAS Benson Latin American Studies and Collections under the leadership of a common Director. The Benson Collection staff is comprised of 6 librarians, 2 archivists, a curator, 8 support staff, student assistants, plus shared staff with LLILAS, including: a Chief of Staff, Associate Director for Development, Digital Scholarship Coordinator and Grant Writer.
Responsibilities: Reporting to the LILLAS Benson Director, the Associate Director of Scholarly Resources collaborates both with other librarians in the Benson Collection and with other bibliographers in the UT Libraries.
The Librarian serves as the lead administrator and head bibliographer for the Benson Collection. This includes serving as a key member of the leadership team of LLILAS Benson Latin American Studies and Collections.
Specific responsibilities include:
· Primary administrative responsibility for all Benson Collection departments, including Rare Books and Manuscripts, Public Services, Bibliographers, and Digital Scholarship. Provides leadership and vision in strategic planning and implementation. Monitors day-to-day library operations and activities. Works with LLILAS Benson Director, Chief of Staff and Senior Administrative Associate to develop and manage Benson budget, including endowments.
· Supervises and promotes the professional development of Benson Collection staff. Conducts annual performance reviews. Serves on the LLILAS Benson leadership team. Represents the Benson Collection on the University of Texas Libraries Administrative Council and other committees as appropriate.
· Sets priorities for Collection growth for both physical and digital collections. Selects materials, acquires books, and reviews and manages approval plans. Provides leadership, professional development and guidance for the Benson bibliographers. Works strategically with the Benson Archivist on rare materials acquisitions. Evaluates gift materials. Prepares and presents relevant collection statistics.
· Serves as a liaison with UT faculty, visiting scholars, and visitors on development and use of collections.
· Serves as the Benson Collection's principal contact for library matters. Represents the Benson Collection with the University of Texas Libraries, UT-Austin administration, patrons, donors and other stakeholders. Represents the Benson Collection at events. Represents the Benson Collection at regional, national and international meetings and conferences concerned with Latin American librarianship.
Required: Advanced professional or academic degree that brings expertise relevant to library operations. Specialization in or thorough knowledge of the history and culture of Latin America/Caribbean. Bilingual English/Spanish or English/Portuguese. Demonstrated experience in collection development and management. Experience supervising and professionally developing staff. Experience managing budgets. Sufficient experience and expertise to be able to lead and supervise a staff increasingly oriented toward digital scholarship and to provide leadership in decision-making and strategic planning necessary for expanding an outstanding collection of rare archival materials. Excellent verbal and written communication skills, using tact, diplomacy and discretion at all times including ability to communicate with diverse populations. Work in a collaborative manner. Interact in a professional manner with faculty, staff, students, researchers, donors and the public. Organize short- and long-term priorities and projects and work with multiple deadlines. Work independently and as a team member. Independent decision making and problem solving ability. Flexible and willing to take on new responsibilities.
Preferred: PhD strongly preferred. Experience working in a leadership position at a research library. Experience in strategic planning. Experience in policy development. Thorough knowledge of and commitment to digital scholarship initiatives. Demonstrated potential for leadership in university, state, national, and international programs and initiatives. Evidence of excellent written, communication and problem solving skills. Evidence of initiative, creative energy and resourcefulness. Awareness of and application of trends. Experience related to the duties.
Salary and Benefits: Minimum of $64,431 annually or more, negotiable depending on qualifications and experience. No state or local income tax. Standard state benefits package including annual vacation and sick leave, paid holidays, retirement plans, and health insurance options (comprehensive major medical, dental, vision, life, and disability). Deferred compensation and tax sheltered annuity programs also available.
Recruiting Schedule: All interested candidates must complete an online application by going to: http://www.utexas.edu/hr/prospective/apply/process.html#completing . Please follow all instructions given. When applying online, please also refer to job posting number 14-02-14-01-0082 (https://utdirect.utexas.edu/apps/hr/jobs/nlogon/140214010082 ). An email confirmation will be sent to those who apply online along with a set of job-related questions that candidates will be asked to return in order for their application materials to be complete.
Application materials should be submitted as soon as possible. For questions regarding this recruitment, please contact: Library Human Resources: lib-HR@lib.utexas.edu (512-495-4360).
The University of Texas Libraries has a strong commitment to diversity and encourages applications and nominations from traditionally underrepresented groups. Early career applicants are encouraged to apply.
An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer
