[LIBJOBS] Instruction and Outreach Archivist, Special Collections Library, Penn State University, University Park, Pennsylvania USA

Instruction and Outreach Archivist
The Eberly Family Special Collections Library
Pennsylvania State University Libraries

The Pennsylvania State University Libraries seek applications and nominations for the position of Instruction and Outreach Archivist. The person appointed to this tenure-track faculty position will lead the Special Collections Library’s instruction and outreach program working closely with Special Collections Library faculty and staff as well as others throughout the university libraries.

Responsibilities:

• Coordinates special collections instruction:
• Works with special collections faculty and staff as well as library subject specialists to identify areas where special collections can support Penn State course instruction.
• Promotes, develops, and conducts library instruction sessions relating to special collections materials.
• Creates subject guides and maintains and reviews existing subject guides according to library standards and policies in consultation with library subject specialists.
• Develops and conducts workshops for Penn State faculty and others on the pedagogical value and uses of special collections materials.
• Serves as the Special Collections liaison to other library units engaged in instruction including Library Learning Services.
• Coordinates special collections outreach activities:
• Manages the special collections summer research travel awards program including promotion, forming the review committee, and working with the winners to help plan their research visit.
• Coordinates and schedules Special Collections exhibits working closely with the exhibition curator(s) and related staff.
• Works with the Head of Research Services to provide leadership and oversight for the use of social media, such as the Special Collections blog, to promote our services and collections to the research community.
• Plans and/or participates in events promoting the Special Collections Library, such as tours or programs.
• Creates Special Collections Library promotional materials, such as brochures.
• General Duties:
• Provides reference service to faculty, students, and other researchers on a rotating basis, including occasional weekend duty.
• Supervises project archivists, students, and interns as required.
• Completes special projects as assigned/directed.
• Engages in research, scholarly publication, and professional service activities. Participates in local, regional, or national professional organizations and enriches professional expertise by attending conferences and continuing education opportunities.
• May serve as a subject specialist liaison to assigned programs or departments.
• Represents the Special Collections Library on relevant library committees, task forces, etc.,
  

Qualifications
Required:

• MLS/MLIS from an ALA-accredited program, or a Masters degree in Information Science, Archival Science, or a related field.
• Experience with special collections, ideally gained in an academic library setting.
• Familiarity and experience with current trends and practice for instruction with primary source materials.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills.
• Experience working with websites, blogs, and social media.
• Experience with cataloging systems and archival discovery tools.
• Ability to work effectively, both independently and collaboratively, in a collegial environment.
• Potential to achieve the requirement for tenure and promotion in the areas of librarianship, research, and service.   Please visit http://www.libraries.psu.edu/psul/policies/ulhrg07.html to learn more about the University Libraries Promotion and Tenure Guidelines.
  

Desirable:

• Subject knowledge in one or more of the Special Collections Library’s primary collecting areas, such as modern American literature and history, labor history, women’s studies, or university history.

Environment: Penn State, a land-grant institution is a member of the Committee on Institutional Cooperation (CIC), a consortium of the Big Ten universities plus the University of Chicago. Based on current Association for Research Libraries investment rankings, The Pennsylvania State University Libraries are ranked among the top ten research libraries in North America.  A student survey completed in 2014 found overall student satisfaction with the University Libraries to be at the top of its category. The University Libraries hold membership in ARL, CRL, CLIR, and DLF. Collections exceed 5.8 million volumes and include more than 102,000 current serial subscriptions. The University Libraries are located at University Park and 22 other locations throughout Pennsylvania, and they serve approximately 6,000 faculty and 44,000 students at University Park, and more than 92,000 students system-wide.

The Eberly Family Special Collections Library at University Park holds more than 200,000 printed volumes, over 25 million archival records and manuscripts, and another million photographs, maps, prints, and audio-visual items. More information about all special collections in the University Libraries is available online at http://www.libraries.psu.edu/psul/speccolls.html

The University Park campus is set in the State College metropolitan area, a university town located in central Pennsylvania. State College offers a vibrant community with outstanding recreational facilities, a low crime rate, and excellent public schools. The campus is within a half-day drive to Washington D.C., Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York City, or Pittsburgh. The University Park Airport is served by three major carriers with flights to Washington, Philadelphia, and Detroit. For more information, please visit http://www.libraries.psu.edu and http://www.cibcc.org.

Compensation: Rank and salary are dependent upon qualifications and experience.  Fringe benefits include liberal vacation, excellent insurance and health care coverage, state or TIAA/CREF retirement options, and educational privileges.  In addition, faculty in the University Libraries are afforded funds for professional development travel annually.  Faculty may be asked to travel as official representatives of the Libraries to certain events and those trips are reimbursed at full cost within limits established by the University.

Applications and all supporting materials must be submitted online at http://www.libraries.psu.edu/psul/jobs/facjobs/ioa.html.  Interested candidates should upload a letter of application, resume or C.V., and the names and contact information of three professional references (including email addresses).   Please reference Box IOA-LIBJ in your letter of application.  Review of applications will begin March 27, 2015 and continue until position is filled.  Questions may be addressed to Lindsey Harter, Faculty Search Coordinator, at lap225@psu.edu.

Employment requires successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.  

Penn State is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer, and is committed to providing employment opportunities to minorities, women, veterans, disabled individuals, and other protected groups.

CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS:  For more about safety at Penn State, and to review the Annual Security Report which contains information about crime statistics and other safety and security matters, please go to www.police.psu.edu/clery/, which will also provide you with detail on how to request a hard copy of the Annual Security Report.