Organizational Unit: Library
Posting Number: 13414
Job Title: Special Collections Librarian
Benefits Eligible? Yes
Grade: 12
Position Specifics
Classification: Exempt (Paid monthly)
Status: Full Time
If part time, hours to be worked weekly
Working Schedule: 12 Months
Position Type: Regular
If temporary please provide Start Date
And End Date
Position FTE: 1.0
Position Summary Information
Purpose of this Position
The Special Collections Librarian is a member of the Department of Special Collections and Archives and reports to the head of that department. The incumbent is responsible for the maintenance, development, promotion, and curricular use of the College’s Special Collections and will provide similar support for archival collections. With strengths in the traditional areas of history, culture, and literature, Carleton’s Special Collections is curriculum-driven and includes a strong collection of artist’s books, medieval and renaissance facsimiles, examples of Fine and Private Press books, and extensive materials to support studies in the book arts. Our holdings are actively used across a variety of disciplines for courses in history, languages, studio arts and art history, music, and religion among many others.
The Special Collections Librarian will serve as the primary contact for students, faculty, classes, and other researchers interested in Special Collections and they will actively contribute to the overall functioning of the Department of Special Collections and Archives and Gould Library.
This is a full-time, 12-month fully benefit eligible position.
Carleton College is a AA/EEO employer. We are committed to developing our staff to better reflect the diversity of our student body and American society. Members of underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply.
Essential Job Functions – Responsibilities
• Curate Special Collections and provide a vision for new areas of growth in consultation with faculty members and the Collections Strategy and Development Librarian.
• Collaborate with faculty, research and instruction librarians, archivists, and others to design and host class sessions utilizing rare books and archival material.
• Provide reference and research assistance for users of Special Collections.
• Work with donors to Special Collections and Archives.
• In coordination with the Collections Strategy and Development Librarian, oversees the Special Collections acquisition budget.
• Oversee the day-to-day operations of the Special Collections, including the maintenance and organization of the rare books room and attendant classroom, the recording and compiling of statistics, the provision of access to the materials, and the scheduling of class sessions and researcher visits.
• Maintain and revise Special Collections policies and procedures involving the use of materials, donations, purchasing, rare books room maintenance, statistics gathering, and user policies.
• Keep abreast of developments in special collections standards and trends applying new approaches, rules, and techniques as appropriate.
• Evaluate the preservation and conservation needs of Special Collections materials.
• Collaborate closely with colleagues in rare books cataloging, preservation, and library exhibitions to facilitate access, maintenance, and exposure of Special Collections holdings.
• Work collaboratively with peers at St. Olaf College as a member of the Bridge Consortium participating on Bridge teams, task forces, and working groups as appropriate.
• Participate in national, regional and/or local professional groups.
• Other duties as assigned.
Additional Job Responsibilities:
• Oversee the development and maintenance of the Special Collections website.
• Ensure the security and appropriate use and handling of the Special Collections materials.
• Actively participate in departmental, library, and college-wide meetings, committees, and events.
• Work and develop relationships with rare books dealers and book restorers/conservators.
• Supervise student workers
Carleton College Library is a member of Bridge, a highly collaborative consortium with the St. Olaf College Libraries. . As a member of the Bridge Consortium, the Special Collections Librarian will work collaboratively and in tandem with peers at the St. Olaf College Libraries to ensure that work is not duplicated and that costs are contained or reduced. Additionally, the incumbent may be asked to provide services to the St. Olaf College Libraries, and is responsible for participating in all appropriate Bridge working groups, meetings, and functions.
Required Qualifications
• 1-3 years of experience working with rare books.
• An ALA-accredited Master’s degree in library or information science, with second Master’s preferred; or an equivalent level of education and experience.
• Demonstrated understanding of issues and trends in curricular use of rare books, manuscripts, and archival collections.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Ability to build and sustain relationships and work collaboratively with faculty, students, staff, donors, and other professional colleagues.
Preferred Qualifications
• Basic understanding of metadata standards for describing rare books.
• Experience working with an integrated library system.
• Demonstrated understanding of the mission of an undergraduate liberal arts college.
Special Instructions to Applicants
As per the Carleton Upward Mobility Program, priority consideration for internal applications will be given to those who apply by the close of business Wednesday, March 20, 2019. Pending the review of those internal applications, external applications will be considered at that time. External applications are welcome at any time.
Original posting / application information