Head of Archives and Special Collections, Santa Clara University, Santa Clara CA

Posted June 30, 2014

Santa Clara University Library seeks applications and nominations for the position of Head of Archives and Special Collections. The selected candidate will be an imaginative and innovative leader who articulates a clear vision for a department that includes the university archives, special collections, and digital initiatives. Reporting to the Associate University Librarian for Resources and Digital Services, the Head of Archives & Special Collections serves as a member of the Library’s administrative team, participating in general administrative decision-making, library management, assessment and strategic planning.

Since the merger of archives and special collections in 2009, the unit has grown in personnel and resources and increased its visibility and prominence throughout the campus community and beyond. Its facilities include the Norman F. Martin, S.J. Reading Room, an expansive exhibit and gallery area, and a state-of-the-art archival storage vault. The unit’s collection strengths include the Mission Santa Clara Collection, consisting of manuscripts and printed books collected and used by the early Franciscans at Mission Santa Clara, from the founding of the Mission in 1777 until the arrival of the Jesuits in 1851; the personal papers of prominent Jesuits such as Fr. Bernard Hubbard and Fr. Jerome Ricard; and the University records and faculty papers of both Santa Clara University and its affiliate, the Jesuit School of Theology in Berkeley, CA. In addition, the department’s archival materials are complemented by special collections and rare books covering such topics as Jesuitica, non-fiction California, 17th and 18th century theology, 18th and 19th century travel and voyage literature, early printed bibles, and The Heritage Edition of The Saint John’s Bible.

The Head of Archives and Special Collections supervises a unit comprised of five full-time employees: the University Archivist, an Archival Processing Assistant, the Digital Initiatives Librarian, a Digital Initiatives Assistant, and a Public Services Coordinator. The Head of Archives and Special Collections, along with the University Archivist, also share supervision of a temporary, donor-funded Mission Santa Clara Archivist/Manuscripts Specialist (currently funded through July 2015). The Cataloging Specialist (organizationally in technical services) also provides rare book cataloging and special collections processing activities. Additionally, the head acts as a consultant to the Province Archivist of the California Jesuit Province Archives, which shares office and archival storage space with the unit.

Unit Profile

Archives & Special Collections develops, maintains, and preserves rare, unique and institutional materials in the Santa Clara University Library. The Collections directly support the University’s teaching, research, and service programs, both on campus and in the larger communities of which it is a part. The collections are focused on areas relevant to the University’s roles, primarily as a Jesuit, Catholic university in the heart of Silicon Valley, and as the oldest institution of higher learning in California, with a history integrally connected to Mission Santa Clara, one of California’s original missions. The collections also help support the primary resource needs of faculty teaching a variety of traditional and interdisciplinary courses in the University’s core curriculum.

Library Profile:

The Library advances the University’s mission to educate engaged and accomplished citizens through our dynamic services and unique, extensive collections. Our community-focused staff are integral partners in creating and cultivating physical and virtual learning environments for open inquiry and academic excellence.

The University Library has a staff of 37, including 17 librarians. For more information about the Santa Clara University Library, please visit http://www.scu.edu/library/.

Salary & Benefits: Salary commensurate with qualifications and experience.
For information about the benefits offered by Santa Clara University, please visit: http://www.scu.edu/hr/benefits/

Department
University Library

Standard Hours (hours per week)
40

Essential Duties and Responsibilities
60% AdministrationManagement

● Provides vision and leadership in directing and managing the programs and operations of Archives and Special Collections
● Sets goals, identifies resource needs and cultivates opportunities for collaboration
● Oversees and supervises five librarians/staff; indirectly supervises one staff
● Describes and redefines positions as necessary
● Raises awareness and develops understanding of the library’s unique resources with the community.
● Oversees an operational budget of approximately $60,000 (includes student wages of about $30,000)
● In consultation with the AUL for Resources and Digital Services, oversees collection development and conservation/preservation budget of approximately $40,000 for archives & special collections

Development/Advancement

● Collaborates with development officers on exhibits/receptions
● Works with development officers and library administration on specific donor cultivation activities
● Evaluates potential donations for inclusion in archives and special collections
Assessment
● Develops assessment strategies and conducts ongoing assessment using a variety of methods

30% Instruction/Outreach/Exhibits

● Coordinates outreach events, receptions, and special viewings of archives and special collections materials
● Works with development and campus departments to coordinate exhibits in the A&SC exhibit space
● Assists with maintaining the exhibit calendar
● Collaborates with faculty to teach the use of primary source materials and assesses student learning
● Raises visibility of archives and special collections materials (and their digital surrogates) on campus

10% Service and Scholarship

● Serves on committees and task forces both at the department, library and university level
● Participates in local, state, and national/international professional and scholarly societies and organizations
● Participates in activities related to inquiry and research

Provides Work Direction
This position directly supervises three employees; and provides second level supervision to two employees as well as a term appointment employee (currently funded through July 2015) and student employees.

Qualifications
Appointment Level:
This position is included in the Academic Staff Librarian category. The specific level at which an appointment is made is determined by the successful candidate’s level of experience and professional accomplishment. The successful candidate for this position will be appointed at the Associate Librarian or Librarian level. Minimum qualifications for those ranks are:

Associate Librarian (salary grade 11): at least five years professional experience after receiving the MLS; evidence of scholarly ability (e.g., additional coursework or advanced degrees, conference presentations, publications) and professional or community service (e.g., active participation in professional society activities, involvement in committee or other service work at previous employers or community organizations) appropriate for a mid-career librarian.
Librarian (salary grade 12): at least seven years professional experience after receiving the MLS; evidence of scholarly ability (e.g., additional coursework or advanced degrees, conference presentations, publications) and professional or community service (e.g., active participation in professional society activities, involvement in committee or other service work at previous employers or community organizations) appropriate for a senior librarian.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The items below are representative of the knowledge, skills, abilities, education, and experience required or preferred.

This position requires the ability to effectively establish and maintain cooperative working relationships within a diverse multicultural environment.
Required Qualifications
● MLS or equivalent from an ALA-accredited program
● Minimum of five years professional experience in a special collection/archive or equivalent
● Demonstrated ability to supervise and mentor
● Evidence of scholarly ability and professional/community service appropriate for appointment at the rank of Associate Librarian or Librarian
● Demonstrated vision for the value of special collections and archives to learning, research and community
● Awareness of current and emerging trends and issues in special collections and archives
● Knowledge and/or experience developing digital collections
● Knowledge and/or experience employing digitization practices to enhance archives and special collections
● Knowledge and/or experience with archives management platforms, eg Archivists Toolkit
● Experience teaching with current pedagogical methodologies
● Excellent oral and written communication skills
● Commitment to building strong relationships between the library, university academic departments, university community, and external communities
● Ability to thrive amidst organizational change including the capacity to respond effectively to change
Preferred Qualifications
Knowledge and/or experience of digitization, digital preservation and digital preservation standards
Successful grant writing experience
Experience organizing and mounting exhibits
Fundraising experience and experience working with donors of collections
Ability to cultivate and maintain effective relations with donors
Experience with promoting collections through social media
Knowledge
• Knowledge and/or experience developing digital collections

Knowledge and/or experience employing digitization practices to enhance archives and special collections
Knowledge and/or experience with archives management platforms, eg Archivists Toolkit
Skills
• Demonstrated vision for the value of special collections and archives to learning, research and community

Awareness of current and emerging trends and issues in special collections and archives
Experience teaching with current pedagogical methodologies
Excellent oral and written communication skills
Commitment to building strong relationships between the library, university academic departments, university community, and external communities
Abilities
• Demonstrated ability to supervise and mentor

Evidence of scholarly ability and professional/community service appropriate for appointment at the rank of Associate Librarian or Librarian
Ability to thrive amidst organizational change including the capacity to respond effectively to change
Education and/or Experience
• MLS or equivalent from an ALA-accredited program

Years of Experience
Minimum of five years professional experience in a special collection/archive or equivalent
Close Date
07/25/2014

Open Until Filled
No

Special Instructions to Applicants
Deadline for Applications: Applications received by July 25, 2014 will receive first consideration. Interested candidates should submit an application electronically through the SCU HR jobs site (below). Application materials submitted should include: cover letter, complete resume, and the names, email addresses, and phone numbers of three references, with a statement of each person’s professional relationship to the application. Nominations are welcomed and can be sent to the chair of the search committee, Rice Majors, Associate University Librarian for Resources and Digital Services at [email protected].

To view the full job posting and apply for this position, go to https://jobs.scu.edu