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Special Collections Instruction & Program Coordinator, Penn State University (University Park, PA)

Posted October 8, 2026

Description:
The Eberly Family Special Collections Library at the Pennsylvania State University Libraries is seeking a Special Collections Instruction & Program Coordinator to help connect students, faculty, researchers, and community members with rare books, archives, manuscripts, and other distinctive collections. Serving on the Research Services team, the Coordinator collaborates with curators, archivists, librarians, faculty, and campus and community partners to coordinate instructional programs, educational visits and related activities that advance teaching, learning, and engagement with Special Collections. The Coordinator serves as the central point of contact for instructional requests and manages the scheduling, communications, workflows, and logistics that support courses, tours, educational visits, programs, events, and research grant activities. Through this work, the Coordinator helps ensure consistent, welcoming, and high-quality experiences for students, faculty, researchers, and other audiences engaging with Special Collections.

Position Duties:

Instruction Coordination:

  • Coordinate all Special Collections instruction and educational visit requests from initial inquiry through completion.
  • Serve as the primary point of contact for faculty, instructors, and campus, community, and public groups requesting instructional sessions, tours, and educational visits.
  • Coordinate scheduling, instructional spaces, collection availability, and related logistics to support successful learning experiences.
  • Collaborate with Research Services colleagues, curators, archivists, and librarians to identify instructors, collections, and learning experiences that support course objectives and group needs.
  • Provide operational support for instruction sessions and visits, including space, technology, instructional, and materials coordination.
  • Maintain calendars, communications, workflows, procedures, and documentation to ensure consistent and effective service delivery.

Assessment and Program Support:

  • Collect, maintain, and analyze instructional statistics, assessment data, and participant feedback.
  • Prepare reports and summaries to support assessment, planning, annual reporting, and decision-making.
  • Identify trends and recommend improvements to instructional services, workflows, and learning experiences.
  • Support the implementation and evaluation of instructional initiatives and service improvements.

Research Services and Departmental Support:

  • Collaborate with members of the Research Services team to support instruction, research consultations, outreach, and public service activities.
  • Develop and maintain instructional guides, documentation, and online resources that support teaching and learning with Special Collections.
  • Assist with projects and initiatives that expand and strengthen the use of Special Collections in teaching and learning.
  • Coordinate and support Special Collections programs, events, research grants, and award programs, including logistics, communications, and related administrative activities.
  • Support public programs by welcoming participants, assisting presenters, leading tours, and facilitating audience engagement.
  • Participate in departmental and library-wide committees, working groups, and initiatives.
  • Maintain knowledge of emerging practices in primary source pedagogy, instructional technologies, accessibility, assessment, and related areas of special collections teaching and learning.

Qualifications:

Required:

  • Bachelor’s Degree
  • 1+ years of relevant experience (equivalent combination of education and experience accepted)
  • Experience coordinating projects, programs, services, or operations in a library, archives, museum, higher education, or other customer-focused environment.
  • Excellent organizational skills with demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, and competing demands.
  • Effective written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of audiences.
  • Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in a team environment while exercising sound judgment and initiative.
  • Experience collecting, maintaining, or reporting data to support assessment, planning, or decision making.
  • Proficiency with common office productivity software (e.g., email, calendaring, word processing, spreadsheet, and collaboration tools)
  • Ability to learn and effectively use new technologies and systems.

Preferred:

  • Experience working in an academic library, archives, special collections, or other cultural heritage organization.
  • Experience coordinating library instruction, educational programming, or public services.
  • Familiarity with primary source pedagogy and active learning practices.
  • Experience using scheduling, project management, or assessment tools.
  • Experience developing documentation, workflows, or user guides.
  • Experience supporting instruction in higher education.
  • Knowledge of accessibility principles and inclusive instructional practices.

Hours and Compensation:

  • Full time, occasional evenings and weekends.
  • $40,608.00 – $58,836.00
  • In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans and substantial paid time off which includes holidays, vacation, and sick time. One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children. For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page.

How to Apply:

Applicants must submit a cover letter addressing their interest and relevant experience, in addition to a resume.

Academic Positions Entry Level Opportunities Full-time Opportunity Professional Jobs Outside of New England School Positions Special Collections