Curator for the Wilcox Collection of Contemporary Political Movements

Curator for the Wilcox Collection of Contemporary Political Movements in the Kenneth Spencer Research Library (KSRL). The Curator is primarily responsible for growing, managing, and sharing one of the most complete collections of printed material documenting modern American left- and right-wing politics in the country. The incumbent will work with donors (including individuals and organizations) and dealers to acquire material that supports the teaching, research, and engagement missions of the university. The curator will collaborate with KU instructors, students, and other scholars to interpret the rich resources of the collection through instruction, reference service, and public outreach. Working collaboratively across the Libraries and the campus, the curator will support and collaborate on robust description, preservation, digitization and dissemination, and community engagement grounded in this outstanding collection.

Noted for its broad coverage of political extremes, the Wilcox Collection is a unique resource of potential interest and benefit to university researchers and the international scholarly community. Reporting to the Director of KSRL, the curator will participate in the work of the library and KU Libraries as a whole and may supervise student assistants or project staff.

This position involves engaging with the American political landscape, managing controversial or challenging library materials, and thriving within a collaborative professional team. Occasional evening and weekend work will be required.

This is a full-time, 12-month, tenure-track faculty position. Rank considerations are based on professional performance, research, and service experience sufficient to qualify for appointment at the rank of Assistant Librarian or Associate Librarian.

The successful candidate must be eligible to work in the U.S. by the effective date of the appointment.

See the Libraries Criteria for Academic Ranks document: http://policy.ku.edu/libraries/criteria-academic-ranks-library-faculty

Additional information about the Libraries promotion and tenure procedures can be found at the following website: https://policy.ku.edu/ku-libraries/promotion-and-tenure-procedures-faculty

PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES (70%)

• Plans and manages the growth of the Wilcox Collection, including negotiating and building relationships with a wide variety of donors, organizations, and book dealers.

• Partners with library and university colleagues to integrate original resources and perspectives from the Wilcox collection into classes across the KU curriculum, and to strengthen students' primary source literacy.

• Shares in providing reference assistance to students, faculty, and the public, and consults on reference requests in assigned areas of responsibility.

• Serves as a public point of contact for this collection, including inquiries from the media, and demonstrates the ability to advocate for the importance of historical materials in understanding the past, present, and future.

• Works collaboratively with colleagues across the Libraries to promote the collections through digital initiatives, social media, community events, K-12 outreach, tours, and other means.

• Works collaboratively with faculty and other librarians to design and deliver library instruction to students.

• Works collaboratively as a member of project teams and other groups to advance the libraries' strategic priorities.

RESEARCH (20%)

• Contributes to the profession's collective knowledge by engaging in scholarly research activity.

• Research may involve the publication of articles, books, book reviews, grant-supported inquiry, or editorial work (see Promotion and Tenure Procedures at KU, Spring 2017).

SERVICE (10%)

Engages in service to the Libraries, the University, and to professional organizations by participating in committee work, projects, and other contributory achievements.

• ALA-accredited master's degree in library and information science or equivalent from a foreign institution by date of appointment OR a PhD in library and information science from an LIS program that also offered an ALA-accredited master's degree at the time the PhD was awarded. In the specialized field of archives, a graduate degree (e.g., master's or PhD, depending on position requirements) in an appropriate field OR an archival certification by the Academy of Certified Archivists may be considered.

• Two years relevant experience in a library, museum, historical society, or similar environment.

• Demonstrated academic background in a relevant subject area such as American history, political science, or American Studies (could include degree, coursework, practicum projects, etc.) OR experience working with library, archival, or museum collections in one of these subjects.

• Minimum of four years of successful professional experience at the rank of Assistant Librarian.

• Documented evidence of high level, professional expertise, and have a demonstrated record of accomplishments that advances the goals of the KU Libraries, the University, and the profession.

• Appropriate record of consistent, quality research contributions in areas related to librarianship, or a specialized subject area as it relates to their practice of librarianship or a related area.