Librarian Position
PROFESSIONAL LIBRARIAN VACANCY
Position : Director, Charles Deering McCormick Library of Special Collections
Department :Charles Deering McCormick Library of Special Collections
Division : Special Libraries
Reports to : Assistant University Librarian for Special Libraries
Northwestern University Library announces the search for a new Director of the Charles Deering McCormick Library of Special Collections. This vacancy represents an exciting opportunity for a dynamic individual who shares our enthusiasm for the role that rare and unique materials, creatively presented, can play in research and education in an increasingly technological environment. Utilizing a combination of traditional and innovative methods, the successful candidate will develop programs that leverage Northwestern’s extraordinary primary collections in a host of venues, media, and activity types.
Summary : Provides leadership for the acquisition, management, preservation, security, and active promotion of special collections at Northwestern University , both within the McCormick Library of Special Collections and, in consultation with curators of other collections and subject specialists, in all Northwestern libraries with unique holdings.
Responsibilities :
Reports to the Assistant University Librarian for Special Libraries and manages the staff and daily operations of the McCormick Library of Special Collections. In collaboration with the AUL, the director develops and implements an acquisitions strategy for special collections materials in all formats. Manages a significant budget, investing it in materials, exhibits, activities, and publications that serve the mission of the McCormick Library of Special Collections and of Northwestern University Library. Evaluates services and resources required to meet university research and teaching needs, actively seeking opportunities to leverage special collections materials in traditional and innovative ways. Interacts both responsively and proactively with faculty, students, and other library users in departments and schools across all disciplines. Working with Library Technical Services, develops strategies to identify and expose hidden collections and create state-of-the-art finding aids for an expanding range of formats. In collaboration with the Head of Digital Collections and the Digital Library Committee, identifies candidates for digital library projects, providing curatorial leadership and descriptive text as these projects are developed. Actively contributes to grant writing and works with the Library Development Officer to steward donors and prospective donors and to develop proposals for external sources of funding and in-kind gifts to the library in areas of responsibility. In cooperation with Library and University Public Relations, crafts ambitious outreach programs to the University community and responds to queries from the community, both on and off campus, and at other institutions across the country and world. Develops and maintains sophisticated EAD-based access tools for all collections within the McCormick Library of Special Collections. Establishes professional contacts relevant to the position with colleagues at local, regional, and national institutions, and represents the Library at the regional and national levels. Engages in active collaboration with colleagues at peer institutions through participation in regional and national projects related to the development of research library special collections. Serves on elected or appointed Library and University committees.
Qualifications :
Required:
Masters Degree in library and information science or equivalent combination of education and relevant library experience. At least five years experience, with expanding responsibilities, in the management and supervision of special collections activities and/or the development of public programs and outreach strategies for special collections. Broad knowledge of the antiquarian and manuscript market. Excellent oral and written communications skills and familiarity with the modern digital environment, integrating both internal and externally-directed technologies.
Preferred: A second masters degree or doctorate in an academic field relevant to special collections librarianship. At least a reading knowledge of a Western European or Classical language other than English. Understanding of or experience with technical services standards, issues, and operations, especially with regard to metadata and EAD. Expertise in rights management and fundraising.
Environment: Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, is a major private university with an extensive library system. This includes the Northwestern University Library, three branch libraries on the Evanston Campus, and three libraries on the Chicago Campus. Northwestern University Library is a member of the Association of Research Libraries (ARL) and participates in programs of the Committee on Institutional Cooperation (CIC). The holdings of the libraries total over 4 million volumes. See more information about the Library at: http://www.library.northwestern.edu.
Salary: Dependent on qualifications and experience.
To Apply: Send letter of application and resume, including names of three references, to Peter J. Devlin, Personnel Librarian, Northwestern University Library, 1970 Campus Drive , Evanston , Illinois 60208-2300 or library-personnel@northwestern.edu. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until position is filled. Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. Employment eligibility verification required upon hire.
