Society of Southwest Archivists

Head of Research Services for Special Collections, Tulane University

  • 13 Aug 2018 3:35 PM
    Message # 6557558
    Anonymous

    DESCRIPTION

    Tulane University seeks an innovative and highly motivated professional to join the Howard-Tilton Memorial Library as the Head of Research Services, Special Collections Division.  The Head of Research Services provides leadership and management for research services for the Special Collections division of Howard‐Tilton Memorial Library at Tulane University. Reporting to the Director of Special Collections, the Head of Research Services is responsible for developing and overseeing a user driven research services program for the units which comprise Special Collections, including the Hogan Jazz Archive, Louisiana Research Collection, Rare Books, the Southeastern Architecture Archive, and University Archives. S/he will collaborate with the Director of Special Collections to create policies and procedures and to set strategic priorities for research services that work in harmony with Library-wide initiatives. In collaboration with Special Collections staff and the Library’s Scholarly Engagement team, s/he will develop an instruction program that supports the use of primary source materials in teaching and learning at Tulane and that is responsive to the research needs of faculty and students. S/he will collaborate with Special Collections staff to develop a strategic approach to outreach, including overseeing the coordination of social media use, online content, exhibitions, and other programming, in order to promote wide use of the collections at Tulane and beyond. S/he will contribute to setting and advancing division goals, and evaluating outcomes. The Head of Research Services will participate actively in relevant professional groups, training and development activities, and present or publish in appropriate forums and otherwise enrich his/her professional profile and knowledge.


    Tulane University is an AAU/Carnegie I/ARL Research Institution and is ranked by U.S. News and World Report among the top forty national universities in the United States. Howard-Tilton Memorial Library is the University's main library, with a collection of more than 4.5 million physical items, nearly 1 million e-books, thousands of digital images, and tens of thousands of databases, electronic journals, streaming audio files, and other scholarly resources.  A recently-completed addition to the building added two new floors with expansive views of the campus and city of New Orleans and has quickly become a highly desirable space for studying and events.


    The university is located in beautiful uptown New Orleans, bordering Audubon Park and the St. Charles Avenue streetcar line (listed on the United States National Register of Historic Places).  The booming Freret Street corridor and many unique shops and restaurants are close by.


    REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

    ·     ALA-accredited master’s degree in Library and Information Science OR graduate degree combined with relevant experience

    ·     Minimum of 2 years of experience providing reference services for special collections materials in an academic research environment.


    REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES/COMPETENCIES TYPICALLY NEEDED TO PERFORM THIS JOB SUCCESSFULLY: 

    • Understanding of current and emerging approaches to providing user-driven research services for special collections.
    • Ability to cultivate collaborative partnerships with library staff, Tulane faculty and students, and the broader research community.
    • Ability to lead or contribute to outreach efforts such as events, exhibits, social media, or other programming.
    • Thorough knowledge of library and archival standards and vocabularies, including EAD, MARC, DACS, RDA, and LCSH.
    • Understanding of privacy, confidentiality, copyright, and use policies associated with special collections materials.
    • Understanding of best practices and guidelines for safe handling and security of special collections.
    • Able to be responsive to the needs of a diverse faculty and student population and committed to fostering diversity and inclusion in the work environment. 

    PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: 

    • Experience providing instruction on primary source literacy in collaboration with archivists, librarians, or faculty.
    • Experience supervising staff or students, including establishing goals, evaluating outcomes, and providing feedback.
    • A record of engagement with the profession through committee work, presentations, and/or publication, and knowledge of current and emerging trends in the special collections field.
    • Familiarity with archival content management systems, such as Archon, Archivists’ Toolkit, or ArchivesSpace.
    • Familiarity with technologies that facilitate reference services management for patron registration and tracking special collections materials.
    • Familiarity with digital technologies and best practices that support digital scholarship, digitization, or duplication services.

    ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

    • Collaborate with the Director of Special Collections to establish a vision and direction for a user-focused research services program.
    • Collaborate with Special Collections staff to facilitate reading room operations, including establishing policies, procedures, and training for access and use.
    • Collaborate with Special Collections staff and the Library’s Scholarly Engagement team to develop and implement an instruction program that is responsive to the needs of campus constituencies and the broader research community at Tulane.
    • Develop a strategic approach to outreach for Special Collections, including coordinating social media use, online content, exhibitions, and other programming. 
    •  Supervise a team of staff and students responsible for providing reference, instruction, and outreach services. 
    • Contribute to the strategic priorities of the Special Collections division by participating in planning, goal setting, and assessment.

    Salary will be competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience. Librarians at Tulane are academic appointees who do not have tenure or faculty status, but who receive the benefits of faculty, including a choice of health plans, retirement plans, tuition waiver for themselves, and undergraduate tuition waiver for dependents.  Professional travel support is available.


    To apply for this position, please visit http://apply.interfolio.com/53038.  To ensure full consideration, applicants must submit a letter of application, resume, and the names with full contact information of at least three professional references.  First consideration will be given to those applicants who apply by September 10, 2018.


    Tulane University is an AA/EOE/M/F/Vet/Disabled employer.  Women and minorities are encouraged to apply.


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