Under the supervision of the Associate Dean for Special Collections, the Exhibits and Engagement Archivist provides leadership for Special Collections exhibits and public programs. The archivist will proactively engage with library colleagues, university partners, and the community to make Special Collections resources accessible and available to all through exhibit curation and management, research services, contributions to print and online media, and program development. The archivist will be responsible for coordinating and managing the Special Collections exhibit program in a newly expanded and renovated space, including fostering collaborations among faculty and staff curators within the University Libraries, across the university campus, and with community partners. In collaboration with the Special Collections outreach team, the archivist will take a lead role in developing partnerships and programming with teaching faculty, campus stakeholders, community members, K-12 educators, and organizations to engage the university and the community with Special Collections, particularly as they relate to the exhibits program. In addition, the archivist is a key partner in the Arkansas Folk and Traditional Arts’ (AFTA) outreach efforts. The archivist will coordinate Special Collections’ contributions to the library’s social media platforms and provide expert service to users through research support and consultations, the creation of research guides and related tools that enhance the discovery and use of Special Collections, and contributing to digital projects. The archivist may collaborate with the outreach team to integrate the use of collections into the university curriculum.

Along with professional performance, the responsibilities of this position include research and service in keeping with the faculty requirements of the University of Arkansas.

The successful candidate should possess a willingness and ability to work with diverse constituencies; a demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with team members, colleagues, community partners, and patrons; and excellent oral and written communication skills.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Coordinates the entire lifecycle of an active, collaborative exhibits program in Special Collections, including scheduling, managing, developing, designing, and producing exhibits featuring Special Collections materials in newly renovated and expanded exhibits spaces
• Collaborates with exhibit curators to set objectives for the exhibit program and development and ensures that these objectives are met in all exhibits
• Solicits proposals for exhibits and maintains the exhibits calendar
• Provides support for exhibit curators in the development, creation, installation, and promotion of exhibits
• Provides oversight for exhibit loans
• Promotes exhibits through print and social media
• Ensures that the exhibits program advances the University Libraries’ commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion
• Collaborates with AFTA on grant-funded projects, including the Community Scholars Program
• Designs and implements active learning opportunities with special collections materials through the development of workshops, programs, events, and class sessions
• Provides expert reference and research services at Special Collections service points
• Works with K-12 and collegiate educators to develop instructional materials related to Special Collections materials
• Contributes to the University Libraries growing digital projects through curation of select digital projects
• In collaboration with Division faculty and staff and University Libraries communications, coordinates Special Collections contributions to social media
• In collaboration with Division faculty and staff, coordinates Special Collections social media activity and contributes to content updates of the Special Collections website and social media channels
• May supervise student or hourly employees and/or academic interns
• Contributes to the work of the Special Collections Outreach Team

Rank and Salary

Tenure-track, twelve-month faculty appointment at the rank of Assistant Librarian / Assistant Professor or Associate Librarian / Associate Professor.  Starting salary: $55,000, commensurate with education and experience.

Benefits

Relocation allowance available. Benefits include TIAA or Fidelity Investments, 22 days of annual leave, tuition reduction, and health insurance.

Minimum Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Library or Information Science from an ALA-accredited institution or equivalent, or a master’s degree in a related field with certification from the Academy of Certified Archivists
• Demonstrated experience and familiarity with standards and best practices for the care, management, and exhibition of special collections materials

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience with curating and installing exhibits in special collections, archives, libraries, or museums
• Demonstrated experience providing reference and research assistance in a special collections or archival context
• Demonstrated experience creating partnerships with teaching faculty, campus centers, and/or community partners
• Demonstrated experience creating learning activities using special collections materials  

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Familiarity with the ACRL RBMS-SAA Guidelines for Primary Source Literacy
• Commitment to serving the needs and interests of a diverse population of students, faculty, staff, and community members
• Commitment to promoting and enhancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in an organizational context
• Strong interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with team members, other library colleagues, and customers
• Effective oral and written communication skills

Additional Information

University Libraries: The University Libraries share in the stewardship of the University’s goals and takes responsibility for the health of the research and teaching collections as well as programs that further support the academic mission. The University Libraries are comprised of Mullins Library and three branch libraries: Chemistry & Biochemistry, Fine Arts, and Physics, as well as two off-site facilities. For more information, visit the Libraries’ home page (https://libraries.uark.edu).

Diversity and the University Libraries:  The University of Arkansas Libraries aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Enriching campus diversity and inclusion is a guiding principle at the University of Arkansas. The University of Arkansas Libraries asserts that the responsibility for creating, supporting, and maintaining an inclusive workplace belongs to all of us. We can strengthen our culture and organization by approaching each other and our work with intentional goodwill, honesty, empathy, and trust as we encourage others to hold themselves and each other accountable to do the same.

We are committed to enhancing the diversity of our workforce and we encourage individuals from underrepresented groups to apply. For more information regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion and the University Libraries, please visit our website at https://libraries.uark.edu/diversity/

Application Materials

For the full posting, or to apply, please go to https://uasys.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/UASYS/job/Fayetteville/Exhibits-and-Engagement-Archivist_R0033592 .  When completing your application, please upload the following: letter of application, curriculum vitae, and a list of three current references (names, addresses, emails, and telephone numbers).  Candidates who received international degrees in library and information science not accredited by ALA will need to submit the foreign credential evaluation determination.

Interested in learning more about this position or the application process? Attend a confidential information session via zoom. Two sessions are available:

Wednesday, March 22 3-4 pm CT: https://uark.libcal.com/event/10350780

Thursday, March 23 10-11 am CT: https://uark.libcal.com/event/10350789

The zoom link will be emailed to registered participants 24 hours prior to each session.

The University of Arkansas is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution. The university welcomes applications without regard to race/color, sex, gender, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability, religion, marital or parental status, protected veteran or military status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal or state law. 

Persons must have proof of legal authority to work in the United States on the first day of employment. All applicant information is subject to public disclosure under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act.