Special Collections Librarian, University of Rochester Libraries, Rochester, NY
Posted February 11, 2022
Description:
The River Campus Libraries (RCL) Department of Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation
(RBSCP) is looking to hire a collaborative and community-focused librarian. We are seeking applications
from early-career individuals for our reimagined Special Collections Librarian. Reporting to the Assistant
Director, the successful candidate will be someone who can help the Department to build relationships,
learning opportunities, and collections in new and exciting ways. RBSCP is a vibrant research and
learning space and we are looking for individuals who have the enthusiasm and curiosity necessary to
make our collections richer and more widely known and who are interested in actively exploring ways
to remove the barriers to special collections. This position has two principal components:
• Engagement: Building awareness and use of primary source materials through instruction,
research, events, workshops, collaborative projects, and digital scholarship. The Special
Collections Librarian will collaborate with the RCL’s liaison librarians to empower faculty and
students at the University of Rochester to engage with and create new knowledge from rare and
unique materials. This part of the position is very outward focused on relationship building and
collaborations across the Library, University, and the City of Rochester.
• Curatorial Responsibility: The Special Collections Librarian will assume primary curatorial
responsibility for specific collecting areas within Special Collections. The collecting areas will be
based on the needs of the department and the interest and experience of the successful
candidate. Curatorial responsibility includes acquiring new material for RBSCP collections,
through purchase and donation, providing meaningful reference services for these collections to a
broad range of researchers, and supporting exhibits and social media campaigns that involve the
collections.
Required Qualifications:
• Master’s degree from an ALA-accredited program in library, information, or archival science or a
Master’s degree in a related field.
• Understanding of the nature and value of primary materials for learning, teaching, research, and
outreach.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.
• Thorough knowledge of professional theory and best practices in managing, collecting,
organizing, and preserving rare books, archival collections, and special collections.
How to apply:
All interested candidates must apply online at:
https://ps.its.rochester.edu/psc/PSApplyOnline/EMPLOYEE/HRMS/c/HRS_HRAM_FL.HRS_CG_SEARCH_FL.GBL?Page=HRS_APP_SCHJOB_FL&Action=U