Head of Special Collections

The University of Missouri Libraries (MU Libraries)

The University of Missouri Libraries (MU Libraries) invites applications for the full-time, NTT Librarian position of Head of Special Collections. The collections are diverse and range from a substantial rare book collection with material dating to the eighth century to the comic arts collection, focused on underground comics, classic comic strips, graphic novels, and journalism collections, including the Husni Magazine Collection. The collections include books, periodicals, manuscripts, maps, posters, printed ephemera, and artifacts. Materials in Special Collections total over 200,000 items. The collections are a heavily used resource that supports a busy program of reference, instruction, and outreach to the University of Missouri community and beyond.

The MU Libraries' seek a leader who will provide direction, administration, and long-term planning for Special Collections. The Head of Special Collections is responsible for developing and implementing policies and procedures, supervision of employees, and initiatives relating to the department's daily operations. The successful candidate will be responsible for collection development and management, teaching and outreach, and coordination and provision of reference service, and will work closely with the Libraries' Director of Advancement on fundraising and development activities. The Head of Special Collections also contributes to collection promotion, outreach, and exhibits. Special Collections is co-located with University Archives.

The selected candidate will be an integral part of our team working to implement a new climate-controlled, secured shelving space for rare and archival materials. Responsibilities will include regular meetings with our architects, PGAV, and consultants from Image Permanence Institute, to ensure that their plans adequately address our collection storage needs and take into account access and workflow issues. This position will also be responsible for a master plan for use of the space once renovations are complete. Work on this project is enabled by a prestigious $500,000 Infrastructure and Capacity Building Grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH).

Responsibilities

* Manages Special Collections personnel, facilities, and funds in compliance with administrative policies of the University of Missouri. Administratively supervises librarians, staff, and student assistants. Oversees and participates in training of department staff as appropriate, including patron service expectations and goals.

* Provides reference services to patrons in person, by telephone, or virtually. Provides bibliographic instruction for classes and other groups.

* Actively pursues and develops outreach to faculty and students that encourages the inclusion of special collections materials in the curriculum. Works closely with faculty, students, alumni, and others in the wider community to interpret the collections and promote an understanding of their value to teaching and scholarship.

* Oversees and/or prepares finding aids, catalogs, or other publications to improve access to the collections.

* Cooperates in the planning and design of the departmental website, including planning and preparation of online exhibits. Contributes to and assists in special research, bibliographic, and exhibition projects.

* Expands awareness of Special Collections holdings through exhibits, publications, instructional programs, presentations, and lectures.

* Prioritizes materials for cataloging. As needed, develops bibliographic control standards for special collections materials, including metadata for digital materials.

* Maintains and updates the collection development policy for Special Collections.

* Identifies and recommends materials in Special Collections holdings that are suitable for digitizing. Works closely with the Digital Initiatives unit on planning for digital library projects.

* Works with the Preservation & Conservation Librarian to maintain a proper environment for the preservation, safety and security of the Special Collections and its collections. Responsible for departmental security policies and procedures.

* Cooperatively works with other staff members in collection development for the major collecting areas of the Department. Makes budgetary and spending decisions in matters of acquisition of new materials. Evaluates prospective gift items for addition to the collections. Works with the Acquisitions Department to track expenditures of appropriated and gift funds for Special Collections materials.

* Works with the University Librarian and the Libraries' Advancement Officer to advance the MU Libraries' relationship with current and prospective donors and assist as needed in with fund-raising initiatives.

* Participates in professional activities beyond the library as appropriate and maintains current awareness of trends and developments in rare books and special collections, including digital libraries and digital preservation.

* Participates in general library administration and planning activities as appropriate.

* Represents the Division in appropriate meetings at the campus or university levels.

Minimum Qualifications

MLS from an ALA accredited program required.

Candidates will be evaluated on:

• Record of successful leadership experience in an equivalent or similar position
• Years of experience in special collections libraries or rare books collection within an academic or research library
• Experience with long-term planning for Special Collections
• Commitment to outstanding customer service
• Supervisory experience and skills
• Demonstrated understanding of the role of primary source material in the research process
• Teaching experience, including creating online resources guides and tutorials
• Course work in rare books, preservation or completion of additional graduate work or other relevant continuing education offerings
• Familiarity with the history of books and printing and the antiquarian book trade
• Awareness of preservation practice and issues for print, and digital materials
• Reading knowledge of at least one classical or modern language other than English
• Experience in managing digitization projects and awareness of national standards and best practices for creating digital collections
• Experience with developing and maintaining web sites
• Additional graduate degree in an appropriate subject area

Salary and librarian rank will be commensurate with experience. This position holds non-tenure track (NTT) faculty status.

• Librarian III, negotiable from $64,000
• Librarian IV, negotiable from $74,000

For information regarding title and rank, please review the MU Libraries' Librarian and Archivist Governance Document found at: http://library.missouri.edu/staff/libguides/Governance%20Document_rev2019.pdf

Salary is determined by a variety of factors, including but not limited to, the individual's particular combination of education, skills, and experience, as well as organizational requirements.

A cover letter, contact information for three references and CV must be uploaded through the brief online application. Application review will begin on Oct 20, 2024. Applications will be accepted until position is filled.

Handling of Application Materials

After initial review by the committee all uploaded materials may be shared with all faculty in the prospective home department. For affiliations and joint appointments materials may be shared with all faculty in all departments involved.

Columbia offers small-town friendliness with big city features and a high quality of life for people of all ages and interests. Founded on education and known as an ideal college town, its location also makes it an attractive spot for businesses and travelers. Located on Interstate 70 and U.S. Highway 63, Columbia is right in the middle of the state and the nation. Just a couple hours' drive from St. Louis and Kansas City, Columbia is Boone County's largest population center offering big-city culture, activities, and resources with a low cost of living. Columbia is home to a variety of restaurants and entertainment venues and hosts more than a dozen cultural festivals each year. If you want to grow your career, continue your education, raise a family, and retire, Columbia is a good place to be!

Considered one of the nation's top-tier institutions, MU is the only public institution in Missouri to be a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU). The University of Missouri Libraries belong to the Association of Research Libraries (ARL), the Greater Western Library Alliance (GWLA), the Center for Research Libraries, the HathiTrust, and the statewide MOBIUS consortium.

For more information on the University of Missouri and the Columbia area, please visit the following:

University of Missouri - Columbia

University of Missouri Libraries

Special Collections & Archives

Columbia Convention and Visitor's Bureau

This position is eligible for University benefits. As part of your total compensation, the University offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental and vision plans, retirement, and educational fee discounts for all four UM System campuses. For additional information on University benefits, please visit the Faculty & Staff Benefits website at https://www.umsystem.edu/totalrewards/benefits.

Values Commitment

We value the uniqueness of every individual and strive to ensure each person's success. Contributions from individuals with diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives promote intellectual pluralism and enable us to achieve the excellence that we seek in learning, research and engagement. This commitment makes our university a better place to work, learn and innovate.

In your application materials, please discuss your experiences and expertise that support these values and enrich our missions of teaching, research, and engagement.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of Missouri System is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Equal Opportunity is and shall be provided for all employees and applicants for employment on the basis of their demonstrated ability and competence without unlawful discrimination on the basis of their race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, or protected veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable state or federal law. This policy applies to all employment decisions including, but not limited to, recruiting, hiring, training, promotions, pay practices, benefits, disciplinary actions and terminations. For more information, visit https://www.umsystem.edu/ums/hr/eeo or call the Director of Employee and Labor Relations at 573-882-2146.

To request ADA accommodations, please call the Director of Accessibility and ADA at 573-884-7278.