Job Opportunity
Head of Special Collections - Assistant, Associate or Full Librarian
LSU Libraries - Special Collections
Job Reference #006614
The LSU Libraries seeks an experienced and energetic leader to head its Special Collections. The Head of Special Collections will provide leadership, vision, and strategic direction for the division, which is staffed by 25FTE. The successful candidate will have a thorough understanding of trends and issues, standards, and best practices in special collections and archives; a collaborative management style empowering others to excel; excellent interpersonal and communication skills; strong analytical and decision making skills; an intense commitment to providing outstanding user services; and a successful record of grant writing, development, and donor relations. Special Collections is housed in historic Hill Memorial Library at the heart of the LSU campus and includes the Louisiana and Lower Mississippi Valley Collections, University Archives, Rare Book Collection, E. A. McIlhenny Natural History Collection, and the T. Harry Williams Center for Oral History. The division provides instruction and reference services, exhibitions and public programming, and has active programs of digitization and microfilming, as well as cataloging and processing. The position reports to the Assistant Dean of Libraries. Appointment may be made at the rank of Assistant, Associate or full Librarian.
Summary of Duties:
50% Leadership, development and management of the Special Collections division of the LSU Libraries. Providing leadership, vision, and strategic direction for the division, the incumbent is responsible for administrative oversight of the division’s operations, services, programs, and resources. He/she supervises and coordinates the work of three unit heads (faculty) who manage the Manuscripts & University Archives, Reformatting & Digital Services, and Public Services units. In addition to these unit heads, the incumbent directly supervises 3 faculty and 6 staff engaged in facilities management; exhibitions; curating, cataloging and processing of published materials; and collecting oral histories. In conjunction with the Assistant Dean of Libraries and the Dean of Libraries, the incumbent manages the financial operations of Special Collections and is primarily responsible for management of a 60,000 square foot historic building. She/he fosters collaboration and a collegial work environment. She/he is also responsible for developing and implementing assessments to guide enhancement of the division’s collections, services, and programs.
15% Collection development. The Curator of Manuscripts and the Assistant Curator of Books report directly to the Head of Special Collections. The incumbent works cooperatively with curators to acquire by purchase and donation appropriate materials for the collections, to keep collection development policies current, and to assist donors.
15% Professional and university service and scholarship. The incumbent works to meet tenure and/or post-tenure research and service requirements through professional service, research and publication.
10% Public service and outreach. The incumbent plays a leadership role in planning and carrying out public events, developing and coordinating publicity, providing reference service and instruction to teach and promote use of collections. In consultation with Libraries faculty and staff and the Libraries’ user community, she/he promotes research opportunities to students, scholars and other researchers.
10% Grant writing and administration and development activities. The incumbent prepares grant applications to local, state, federal and private organizations and administers grants awarded in conjunction with the Assistant Dean of Libraries and the LSU Office of Sponsored Projects. She/he works with donors and private foundations to acquire funds to support Special Collections activities and collections.
Required Qualifications:
Master’s degree from an ALA-accredited library school program. Minimum of 5 years professional experience, including supervisory responsibilities, in a research library, special collections, rare book, or archives setting. Ability to meet tenure and promotion requirements as evidenced by a record of research, publication, and professional service.
Preferred Qualifications:
Knowledge and understanding of significant trends and issues, standards, and best practices in special collections and archival institutions. Demonstrated understanding of emerging technologies. Demonstrated commitment to providing outstanding user services. A successful record of grant writing, development, fundraising, and donor relations. Excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication skills. Strong analytical and decision making skills. Record of research, publication, and scholarly achievement. Record of participation in relevant professional associations. Advanced degree in a field related to Special Collections’ strengths.
The review of applications will begin December 7, 2012 and will continue until a suitable candidate is found. An offer of employment is contingent on a satisfactory pre-employment background check.
To apply, go to https://lsusystemcareers.lsu.edu/applicants/Central?quickFind=55408
Position # 006614.
