Fayetteville, Arkansas

Minimum Salary: $75,000

Director of The University of Arkansas Libraries is seeking a highly collaborative and engaged leader to serve as Public Services for Special Collections. The Director will lead public services for the Division, including supervising the faculty and staff that comprise the research services team and the Instruction and Outreach unit comprising four or more direct reports. Additional duties will include coordinating work with other Libraries’ units, contributing to the Libraries’ growing digital collections, coordinating Division events, and seeking grant-funded opportunities.

The successful candidate will join a Division deeply committed to and engaged with its communities on campus and throughout the State of Arkansas. Reporting to the Associate Dean of Special Collections, the Director is integral to achieving Special Collections’ contributions to the land grant mission of the University through promoting access to robust archival, print, and digital collections for constituents on campus, throughout the state, and around the world. Service is core to the Division’s work. Together, Division faculty librarians and staff acquire and make available for research manuscript and print collections highlighting Arkansas and regional history; university archives; internationally significant archives related to educational and cultural exchange; national and Arkansas political papers; notable cultural and creative archives, including architecture, music, and literature; and a growing rare books collection. Through classroom instruction, exhibitions, and service, the department ensures the stewardship and promotion of the historical record and rare materials for the University community and the public.

The Director will collaborate in strategic implementation of the University Libraries’ priorities, including Division programs, services, and spaces. The Director facilitates collaborative relationship building within Special Collections, throughout the Libraries, and with community partners; coordinates Division participation in Libraries assessment programs; contributes to Division collection scope revision; and contributes to budget planning and management.

The ideal candidate will possess demonstrated leadership and coaching skills, outstanding written and oral communication skills, and analytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability to think strategically and embrace change-management strategies. Additional key attributes are a strong commitment to providing excellent customer service; demonstrated ability to interact successfully with a variety of constituents; demonstrated ability to work effectively and collaboratively to develop productive partnerships within and across complex organizations like the Libraries and University; focused attention to details, deadlines and goals; a working knowledge of statistics and statistical analysis; and familiarity with ongoing program assessment. Familiarity with modern collection management and research technologies is also essential for the Director position.

Responsibilities of this position include research, creative work, and service in keeping with the faculty requirements of the University of Arkansas. The successful candidate must have documented accomplishments commensurate with the criteria for appointment at the level of Associate Librarian / Associate Professor. A dossier will be required for appointment and hiring.

Relocation allowance available. Benefits include TIAA or Fidelity Investments, tuition reduction, and health insurance.  Annual leave starts at 15 days per calendar year and increases with years of service.

Minimum Qualifications

• Master’s degree from an ALA-accredited program; or related advanced degree and ACA certification
• At least 4 years of professional experience working in a cultural heritage institution with increasing management experience
• Demonstrated experience with archival and library standards and tools, such as EAD, MARC, LCSH, and DACS
• Demonstrated experience providing innovative public service, specifically reference and instruction
• Demonstrated experience with automated request and workflow management systems for patron services
• Experience with development and promotion of physical exhibits and outreach programming
• Experience with development and collaboration for publishing of digital collections

 

Preferred Qualifications

• Working knowledge of budget processes
• Experience with grant writing and administration
• Experience in donor relations and cultivation
• Experience working with ArchivesSpace, Archivematica, AEON, Archive-It, or equivalent tools
• Working knowledge of digital repository systems and digital curation

 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Track record of collaboration
• Extensive team building experience
• Experience working with donors
• Ability to advocate for the Division and its mission
• Experience in public speaking and event planning
• Experience with assessment and statistical analysis in an academic or library setting

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Salary Information:

Minimum salary: $75,000 commensurate with education and experience

 

Additional Information:

The University Libraries share in the stewardship of the University’s goals and take responsibility for the health of the research and teaching collections and programs that further support the academic and land grant missions. 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’ website: https://libraries.uark.edu

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 variety of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel 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. We can strengthen our organization and institution by approaching each other and our work with intentional goodwill, honesty, and trust as we encourage others to hold themselves and each other accountable to do the same.

 

Application Materials: 

For the full posting, or to apply, please go to https://uasys.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/UASYS/job/Fayetteville/Director-of-Public-Services-for-Special-Collections--Open-Rank-_R0068708 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.

 

When completing your application, please upload the following: letter of application highlighting education and experience related to the position qualifications, 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.  

 

Applicants are encouraged to think broadly about and communicate how their skills and experiences transfer to the qualifications listed below in ways that may not be obvious, including how non-library-specific skills and experiences speak to the position’s qualifications and needs. We welcome applicants with a range of experiences, backgrounds, and interests to apply for this position.

 

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.