Associate Librarian - Rare Books Curator

University of Washington • Seattle, WA

12d • $7,380 - $8,080 • Hybrid

About The Position

The University of Washington (UW) Libraries seeks a Rare Books Curator to provide vision, leadership, and strategic direction for the Rare Books and Book Arts Collection. This role involves collaborating with library colleagues, academic departments, and local communities to ensure collections, services, and programs support teaching, learning, and research in an inclusive environment. A key component is providing instruction through class sessions, workshops, and hands-on engagements with primary materials. The Curator will lead the development, stewardship, and interpretation of the Libraries’ rare book collection, with strengths in book arts, the history of printing, nineteenth-century American literature, and historical children's literature. The position fosters partnerships and develops programming with faculty, students, and campus and community partners through exhibitions, guest speakers, seminars, and digital humanities initiatives. Additionally, the Curator cultivates donor relationships to advance philanthropic support. Successful candidates will possess a scholarly understanding of bibliography, history of the book, book arts, artist’s books, and the rare book market, along with a collaborative, team-oriented approach. This position is not tenure eligible and is represented by SEIU 925 – Libraries. It is eligible for hybrid work.

Requirements

• Graduate degree from a program accredited by the American Library Association or an equivalent graduate library science/information studies degree.
• Minimum of five years post-MLIS professional librarian experience in an academic research library, special library, or museum.
• Reading knowledge of at least one language other than English relevant to the collection, preferably Latin.
• Deep knowledge in a specialized field (including literature, history, languages, etc.) related to collections.
• Experience in collection development and management of rare book and manuscript collections.
• Experience with donor relations and engagement.
• Demonstrated leadership and management experience, including supervision of staff, students, interns, or volunteers.
• Proven ability to manage complex projects and bring them to successful completion.

Nice To Haves

• Additional graduate degree in literature, history, or related discipline.
• Reading proficiency in an additional non-Western language.
• Specialized coursework or formal training in rare book and special collections librarianship.
• Experience integrating technology into rare book programming, instruction, research, and outreach.
• Proven sensitivity and care stewarding culturally or historically sensitive materials and making them accessible to all library users.
• Evidence of ongoing professional growth and skills development.
• Ability to adapt to change, navigate challenges, manage multiple priorities, and embrace new opportunities in a dynamic work environment.

Responsibilities

• Carries out collection management, development, and acquisition of materials to support teaching and research.
• Oversees purchasing for specific endowments and funds associated with the collections.
• Serves as the unit’s fund manager on a rotating basis.
• Provides research support along with additional specialized assistance to staff, researchers, students, and the public.
• Cultivates and maintains productive relationships with antiquarian booksellers, the book arts community, and donors.
• Manages correspondence, invoices, and gifts paperwork in a professional manner consistent with University and Libraries policies.
• Develops and refines collecting priorities for rare books and the history of printing that anticipates future scholarly needs, incorporates a global perspective on book history, and reflects current professional discussions around ethical collecting and the diversification of collections.
• Collaborates with Libraries and University colleagues, building strong partnerships with instructors, to advance teaching and research through the effective use of distinctive collections.
• Provides evidence-based instruction across disciplines and at all levels in an inclusive environment.
• Evaluates backlog to inform curatorial and processing priorities.
• Communicates rare book cataloging priorities and supports coordinated workflows across units.
• Prioritizes and advises on the processing of archival collections.
• Surveys the collection to inform rehousing decisions and conservation planning; works with the Preservation Services Department to review and recommend conservation priorities for printed books and works on paper.
• Collaborates to curate exhibitions featuring rare books and book history from a global perspective; develops public programs and events that highlight contemporary relevance of the collections; promotes public awareness and engagement with the collections.
• Collaborates with the curatorial team to develop collection strategies, activities, and programming aligned with the Libraries’ and University’s strategic priorities.
• Participates in professional library organizations; maintains expertise in rare books librarianship.
• Serves on departmental, Libraries, and University committees as appropriate.

Benefits

• UW Retirement Plan (UWRP) or the state’s Public Employee Retirement System (PERS) Plan 3.
• Full-time, 12-month appointment.
• Vacation accrued at the rate of 26 working days per year.
• Sick leave accrued at the rate of 12 working days per year.
• No state or local income tax.
• Moving allowance.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level