Professional Librarian Vacancy
Northwestern University Library seeks to recruit an experienced librarian with a solid background in art history to assume responsibility for one of the leading art research collections in the United States. The Head of the Art Collection will supervise operations and collections in the Eloise Martin Art Reading Room, the Architecture Reading Room, and the Art Research Center; provide reference and research consultation to faculty, graduate and undergraduate students, alumni, and the public at large; and develop instructional programs and materials to support curricular and research activities. He or she will serve as library departmental liaison and subject specialist to the Art History and Art Theory and Practice Departments; manage and develop scholarly resources in art, architecture, and design; work with the Curator of the Charles Deering McCormick Library of Special Collections to identify and fund relevant special collections purchases; and maintain the Art Collection homepage.
General Information
Position Title:
Head, Art Collection
Short description:
Supervise operations and collections in the Eloise Martin Art Reading Room, the Architecture Reading Room, and the Art Research Center
Division:
Special Libraries
Supervisor:
Jeffrey Garrett
Department:
Art Collection
Job Details
Responsibilities:
Management responsibilities include supervising the Public Services Librarian, and overseeing the daily operations of the department; curatorial activities, including preservation and reformatting of art materials, and storage and withdrawal decisions; and close interaction with other library departments and divisions. Additionally, the Head of the Art Collection serves on Management Council as well as other relevant library and university committees, working groups, and task forces.
The Head builds supportive working relationships with other art entities at Northwestern University, including the Block Museum, the Dittmar Gallery, and the Segal Design Institute, as well as with Chicago-area academic and art research institutions such as the University of Chicago, the University of Illinois, Chicago, and the Art Institute of Chicago. The Head of the Art Collection will be active in regional and national professional associations and organizations and in consortial initiatives. In consultation with the Library Development Officer, the Head identifies and works with potential donors to raise funds to enhance the collection. Northwestern encourages librarians to engage in professional development and scholarly research initiatives and provides financial and academic support for these activities.
Required Qualifications:
Master's degree from an ALA-accredited program in library and information science or the equivalent combination of education and relevant library experience. Strong public service and outreach orientation; excellent communication skills. Successful management and supervisory experience. Collection management/development experience in an academic library environment. Critical thinking and problem solving skills. Expertise in print and electronic art-related resources. Knowledge of current research and publishing trends in art history. Aptitude for teaching and training. Ability to work collegially with faculty, students, and Library staff.
Preferred Qualifications:
Advanced degree in art history or a related humanities field or a comprehensive knowledge of art, architecture, and design history. Reading knowledge of one or more European languages. Familiarity with web design and editing. The ability to select appropriate technological tools and apply them effectively; a working knowledge of best practices in the areas of usability, interoperability, as well as traditional and digital preservation. Record of professional service and research.
Information for Librarian Applicants
Library environment:
Northwestern University is a major private university with campuses in Evanston and Chicago, Illinois and in Doha, Qatar. One of the leading private research libraries in the United States, Northwestern University Library serves the educational and information needs of the NU community as well as scholars around the world. Its collection contains more than 4.6 million volumes and a full array of digital resources. The Art Librarian position is based on the Evanston campus. The Art Collection (of 140,000 volumes housed in historic Deering Library) supports Northwestern University's top-rated Ph.D. program in art history. University Library is a member of the Association of Research Libraries (ARL) and participates in programs of the Committee for Institutional Cooperation (CIC). See more information about the Library at:
http://www.library.northwestern.edu .
To Apply:
Send PDF formatted letter of application, resume or vita, and names of three references to the attention of Jan Hayes, Personnel Librarian, to
libsearches@northwestern.edu . Northwestern University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. Employment eligibility verification required upon hire.
First consideration for applications received by:
Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer.
