Job ID: 325665
Job Title: Curator, Northwest Architectural Archives (UL398)
Job Code: 9715
Location: Twin Cities
Empl Group: Acad Prof and Admin
Full/Part Time: Full-Time
Regular/Temporary: Regular
Qualifications
Required:
• American Library Association accredited Master’s degree in Library/Information Science or Archives or equivalent combination of advanced degree and relevant experience.
• Experience building relationships.
• Ability to work in cooperation with colleagues in a service-oriented and collaborative environment.
• Established commitment to supporting a diverse environment.
• Demonstrated creativity, initiative, self-direction, and innovative thinking.
• Evidence of program development capacity.
• Facility in use of technology and applications in research collections.
Preferred:
• Experience building library and archival collections, particularly in the fields of architecture and design.
• Experience in developing working partnerships with academic departments and other communities.
• Experience working with digital collections.
• Experience in grants development and fund-raising activities.
• Experience supervising students or volunteers.
• Instruction experience.
• Experience with digital formats related to architectural design.
About the Job
The University of Minnesota-Twin Cities Campus Libraries seeks a dynamic, collaborative individual for the position of Curator of the Northwest Architectural Archives, which preserves the records of architects, engineers, contractors, developers, landscape architects, and designers from the Upper Midwest region and beyond, and is national and international in scope. The collections span 150 years, and include drawings, specifications, plan files, correspondence, and photographs. New collection emphases include industrial design, textile design, and public art. Highlights of the collections include architectural records by John Howe, William Gray Purcell, Liebenberg & Kaplan, Leroy S. Buffington, Harvey Ellis, Edwin Lundie, Ralph Rapson, and design papers of Jack Lenor Larson, Helena Hernmarck, and Don Harley.
Institutional Context
The University Libraries is an integral part of campus life. Recognized in 2017 with the IMLS National Medal, the Libraries is a significant contributor of resources and programs within the metropolitan area, the state, and beyond. The Libraries provides a highly collaborative environment, distinguished by new models for teaching/learning, research support, and scholarly communication.
The Libraries is known for its advanced web services, significant collaborative digital library development, and a record of innovative partnerships. Its archives, special collections, and rare resources are among the largest in the U.S. Outreach is strengthened by unparalleled infrastructure for resource sharing and information access within the state and region provided by the University Libraries-based Minitex program. The Libraries is a member of the Association of Research Libraries, the Big Ten Academic Alliance, the Center for Research Libraries, the Digital Library Federation, the Digital Preservation Network, and the Coalition for Networked Information, and is a founding partner in the HathiTrust.
Responsibilities
The curator of the Northwest Architectural Archives will take an active role in collection development and management, research services, instruction, outreach to various user communities and exhibits, fundraising and grant writing, and supervision of project and student staff. The curator collaborates with other administrative divisions within the Libraries, including the Art and Architecture Library, and works closely with Libraries’ Development and Communications staff. The faculty and students of the College of Design and its Goldstein Museum of Design, the University of Minnesota Weisman Museum, and the Minneapolis Institute of Art offer opportunity for collection and exhibition partnerships.
The Northwest Architectural Archives is one of 15 distinct collecting areas in a highly collaborative department. The position reports to the Elmer L. Andersen Director of Archives and Special Collections. The Northwest Architectural Archives curator will contribute to the knowledge base of the profession through research, publication, and professional engagement, working toward continuous appointment status.
This is a full-time, 12-month, continuous appointment track academic professional position with probationary appointment at the Assistant Librarian rank with the potential for appointment at the Associate Librarian rank.
Original posting / application information: Visit the U of M Careers Page and search for job ID # 325665