Special Collections Librarian, University of North Texas, Denton TX
Posted April 28, 2014
This is a professional position in the Special Collections Department in the Special Libraries Division at the University of North Texas Libraries. Responsibilities of the Assistant/Associate Librarian including development of electronic finding aids and website information, processing archival collections, arrangement and description of both traditional and electronic materials, contributions to exhibits and providing reference services for special collections. The Assistant/Associate Librarian will participate in ongoing collection development and outreach efforts in strategic collecting areas including Texan history, photography and visual resources, LGBT history, Latino/a history and African American history. This position will work to create awareness, provide access to and preserve the unique, valuable, and diverse non-circulating holdings of the University of North Texas Libraries. Work is performed under general supervision of the department head and principal archivist. Excellent citizenship is expected from the community of scholars at UNT, and includes appropriate stewardship of resources, participation in governance, cooperation and collaboration toward department, college and university goals, and the ability to compromise and work to benefit these units and their constituents.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Accession, process, and manage collections in a variety of formats in accordance with departmental policy and accepted archival standards.
- Create finding aids for collections, encode finding aids and improve description for existing finding aids.
- Assist with the duties of the library liaison to the History, LGBT Studies and Latino studies department by updating Lib Guides, providing bibliographic instruction and other types of instruction related to special collections.
- Contribute to digital collection development through the collection, preservation and description of electronic materials.
- Participate in on-going digital projects through the creation of original metadata.
- Assist in the preparation of grant proposals.
- Contribute content for the website, library newsletter and press releases as needed.
- Assist with the scheduling, training, direction and evaluation of student workers and volunteers.
- Respond to all forms of communication, including walk-ins, regarding reference and research questions from administration, faculty, students, staff, independent scholars, and the general public.
- Develop and maintain close interactive relationships with library staff, as well as university and community groups.
- Provide specialized and general bibliographic instruction, as well as instruction to staff and researchers, on the nature and proper handling of special materials.
- Participate in professional activities through publication and presentations in professional organizations.
- Ensure the security of the department and its collections.
- Perform related work as required.
Librarian rank will be determined by the Library Personnel Affairs Committee through review of the selected candidate’s education, experience, scholarly and professional involvement, and service
Minimum Qualifications
- Undergraduate degree in appropriate subject area.
- Completion of #an advanced degree in library/information sciences (from an ALA accredited institution) or an advanced degree in History, Public History or related discipline.
- A total of six months combined relevant library experience working in special collections. Student, volunteer, staff or professional experience may be included to meet this requirement.
- Demonstrated knowledge (through either education or experience) of archival principals, appraisal theory, standards for arrangement and description, collection management and preservation.
- Experience using standard technology in special collections environment.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills.
- Strong commitment to public service.
- Willingness to acquire new skills in a rapidly changing environment.
- Good office skills.
- Ability to lift 40 pounds.
- Ability to use machinery and equipment while standing.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience working in a university special collections environment.
- Demonstrated achievements in professional research or service.
- Supervisory experience.
- Knowledge of preservation standards for film and video.
- Membership in the Academy of Certified Archivists.
- Experience using Archon or Archivists Toolkit.
- Electronic catalog experience with ILL and OCLC systems.
- Experience in grant writing, special collections exhibits preparation or donor relations.
- Fluency in a second language.
For more information and to apply, visit: https://facultyjobs.