Head of Special Collections, Providence Public Library (Providence, RI)
Posted July 24, 2026
This position leads the Special Collections Department in its efforts to increase access to, preserve, and expand the visibility of the Library’s unique collections through collection stewardship, preservation, curation, reference services, programming, exhibitions, digitization, and community outreach.
The Special Collections Department plays an important role in supporting the Library’s mission to encourage lifelong learning, advancing and supporting research, and inspire curiosity. The strength of the Library’s special collections makes it a unique resource within Rhode Island’s public library landscape, and the Head of Special Collections ensures these collections are thoughtfully preserved, responsibly stewarded, and made broadly accessible through a proactive open-access public library philosophy.
Primary Duties & Responsibilities:
Performs all types of professional and managerial work which are required to maintain and operate the Special Collections Department.
Department Leadership
- Performs all types of professional and managerial work required to maintain and operate the Special Collections Department.
- Provides direct Special Collections reference service.
- Provides curatorial oversight of Special Collections.
- Oversees collection development.
- Oversees public relations and outreach activities related to Special Collections.
- Leads long-range planning for the department and develops and promotes new and existing services.
- Develops departmental goals and objectives in collaboration with Library administration.
- Reviews departmental effectiveness and recommends operational improvements.
- Analyzes operational strengths, weaknesses, and emerging challenges and develops both immediate and long-term solutions.
- Assists Administration in preparing departmental budgets.
- Maintains records and prepares reports.
- Coordinates the Board’s Special Collections Committee.
Collection Stewardship & Curatorial Leadership
Building and sustaining these unique collections as a cornerstone of the Library’s role as a regional and national leader in library services by:
- Oversees acquisitions, de-accessions, and collection development.
- Reviews and revises Special Collections acquisition and deaccession policies.
- Evaluates materials for acquisition.
- Sets acquisition priorities.
- Strengthens core collecting areas.
- Identifies emerging collecting opportunities.
- Builds relationships with booksellers, collectors, donors, and partner organizations.
- Conducts complex bibliographical research.
- Reviews Library collections to identify rare or significant materials appropriate for Special Collections.
- Performs original and copy cataloging as needed.
Preservation, Conservation & Collections Care
- Leads the preservation, stewardship, and long-term care of the Library’s Special Collections.
- Develops and implements preservation priorities, standards, and best practices for collection storage, handling, environmental monitoring, and access.
- Provides expert guidance to Library staff regarding the preservation and conservation of library materials.
- Collaborates with Facilities to monitor environmental conditions, security, storage, and preservation concerns within Special Collections spaces.
Serves as a member of the Library’s Disaster Core Team and leads disaster preparedness planning, collections emergency response, and recovery training for Library staff
- Maintains and updates Library’s Disaster and Preservation plans.
- Promotes preventive conservation practices that ensure the long-term preservation of the Library’s unique collections.
Organizational Archives
- Oversees the Library’s organizational archives, ensuring their long-term preservation, organization, and accessibility.
- Provides expert guidance to Library staff regarding the conservation and preservation of library materials.
Digital Collections & Special Projects
- Serve as co-director and project manager for Rhode Island’s participation in the National Digital Newspaper Program.
- Serve as a key member of the Digital Collections Committee.
- Work closely with the digital collections team to support digitization initiatives and digital access.
Outreach & Advancement
- Plans and implements exhibitions and programs.
- Develops relationships with donors.
- Collaborates with Advancement.
- Attends professional meetings.
- Makes connections that further Library goals.
- Demonstrates an entrepreneurial approach to opportunities facing public libraries.
Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities
- Considerable knowledge of preservation, preventive conservation, environmental monitoring, and stewardship of rare and archival materials.
- Knowledge of disaster preparedness and emergency response planning for cultural heritage collections.
- Considerable knowledge of principles and practices of rare books and the antiquarian book trade.
- Considerable knowledge of principles and practices of Library Science.
- Ability to communicate clearly both orally and in writing.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships and networking with colleagues, potential and active donors, the general public, vendors, and the media.
- Good understanding of the demands and requirements of public services in public libraries.
- Ability to use basic office software, databases, spreadsheets, digitization equipment; and an understanding of social media.
- Ability to plan and organize, and to analyze complex problems and develop alternative solutions
- Project management skills and experience.
Experience & Training
- MLS from an ALA-accredited Library School with coursework or demonstrated experience in rare books, archives, or Special Collections required.
- Minimum of five to seven years of progressively responsible professional experience in Special Collections required.
- Minimum of three years of supervisory or leadership experience preferred.
- Previous experience serving on an organization’s leadership team strongly preferred.
- Experience managing grants, collaborative projects, and strategic initiatives preferred.
- Google Workspace experience required.
- Experience with Zoom, Google Meet, or similar web conferencing platforms required.
Hours and Compensation
Hours: 35 hours per week, variable hours based on Monday – Friday, 8:30 am – 5 pm. Flexibility is expected for special events, etc. Work from home opportunities to be evaluated after 6 months of employment.
Salary Range: $70,00-$90,000/year with up to 5% negotiation flexibility.
How to Apply
COVER LETTER IS REQUIRED
Please submit a cover letter and resume by August 23, 2026