Associate University Librarian for Archives and Special Collections at the University Libraries

American University of Beirut•Lebanon, PA

About The Position

The Associate University Librarian (AUL) for Archives and Special Collections (ASC) provides strategic leadership, vision, and direction for the development, stewardship, preservation, discovery, access, and scholarly use of the University Libraries’ archives and special collections. The AUL leads a distinctive collections program encompassing the University Archives, manuscripts, rare books, historical documents, photographs and visual collections, audiovisual materials, and other unique physical and born-digital collections documenting AUB, Lebanon, the Arab world, and the broader region. The AUL develops and implements strategies for acquiring, preserving, describing, and providing sustainable access to distinctive collections; promotes their integration into teaching, learning, research, digital scholarship, and public engagement; cultivates relationships with donors, scholars, heritage organizations, and institutional partners; and advances preservation and conservation across the University Libraries. As a member of the University Libraries' senior leadership team, the AUL contributes to library-wide strategy, planning, organizational development, assessment, resource allocation, fundraising, and shared governance, working collaboratively with other Library units and University partners. The position leads and develops ASC staff and oversees departmental planning, assessment, staffing, resources, facilities, and projects. It works with a high degree of independence within the Libraries’ strategic framework and reports to the University Librarian. The role includes extensive contact with Library and University communities, donors, and cultural heritage and scholarly organizations. The work is primarily in office, library, archives, and special collections environments, with occasional handling of collection materials, visits to storage or donor locations, participation in exhibitions and events, and national or international travel. Minimal physical effort is required.

Requirements

Master's degree in Library and Information Science from an ALA-accredited program or an internationally recognized equivalent, or an advanced academic degree in archives, archival studies, history, Middle Eastern studies, cultural heritage, information science, or another field directly relevant to the position.
10 years of professional experience in archives, special collections, academic libraries, research libraries, cultural heritage institutions, or a closely related environment, including at least 5 years in a senior management or supervisory role.
Demonstrated knowledge of archival and special collections principles and practices, including collection development, appraisal, arrangement and description, preservation, discovery, access, and research services.
Demonstrated ability to provide strategic leadership, manage organizational change, establish priorities, develop staff, and lead complex programs and projects.
Demonstrated commitment to research, public service, scholarly engagement, and broad and responsible access to distinctive collections.
Demonstrated ability to develop productive relationships with faculty, researchers, institutional partners, and professional communities.
Excellent leadership, communication, interpersonal, organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
Demonstrated ability to work effectively and collaboratively in a diverse, multicultural, and interdisciplinary academic environment.
Excellent command of English and Arabic.
Proficiency with archival collection management and description systems, such as ArchivesSpace or AtoM.
Familiarity with library discovery systems, digital asset management and digital preservation tools, and standard office software.
Familiarity with digital repositories and collection management platforms.
Significant knowledge of the history, cultures, scholarship, and documentary heritage of Lebanon, the Arab world, and the broader Middle East.
Demonstrated understanding of regional documentary traditions and cultural heritage practices.
Familiarity with copyright, intellectual property, privacy, donor restrictions, and other legal requirements relevant to archival and special collections stewardship.
Demonstrated understanding of potential applications of artificial intelligence for archival and special collections management, particularly searchability and discoverability, and of the need for responsible and ethical use.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of French or other languages relevant to the collections.
Experience with born-digital archives, digitization programs, digital scholarship, and emerging technologies.
Experience with fundraising, donor relations, grant development, and externally funded projects.

Responsibilities

Provide leadership for Archives and Special Collections and develop priorities, policies, programs, and services aligned with the strategic goals of the University Libraries and AUB.
Lead and develop ASC staff; oversee departmental planning, assessment, staffing, resources, facilities, and projects; represent the department and contribute to library-wide initiatives.
Develop and implement a collecting strategy that supports AUB’s teaching, research, and institutional mission and strengthens documentation of AUB, Lebanon, the Arab world, and the broader region.
Identify and evaluate collections for acquisition and develop relationships with donors, creators, scholars, alumni, organizations, and communities to secure significant collections.
Establish policies and procedures for acquisitions, appraisals, deaccessioning, access, rights, privacy, and responsible stewardship of sensitive and restricted collections.
Direct the arrangement, description, cataloging, discovery, and access of archival and special collections, and develop efficient workflows for processing collections and reducing backlogs.
Oversee description and organization in accordance with recognized archival standards and professional best practices.
Ensure the quality of finding aids, inventories, collection guides, and descriptive metadata, including adherence to appropriate standards such as EAD and Dublin Core and relevant authority control practices.
Collaborate with relevant Library units on digitization, born-digital collections, and emerging technologies to improve discovery, preservation, and accessibility.
Work with Metadata Services, Digital Strategy and Scholarship, Library Systems, and other relevant units to ensure collections are represented and discoverable through appropriate local, national, regional, and international discovery environments.
Lead preservation and conservation of distinctive and heritage collections and establish priorities for storage, handling, security, environmental conditions, and risk management.
Oversee preservation planning, disaster preparedness, emergency response, collection security, and continuity of access; work with University and Library administration on related facilities and infrastructure needs.
Promote the use of archives and special collections in teaching, learning, and research, and build partnerships with faculty, students, researchers, and academic units.
Direct instruction, research consultations, exhibitions, lectures, workshops, fellowships, public programs, and other scholarly and community activities.
Encourage innovative and interdisciplinary research using archival and special collections and promote appropriate access locally, regionally, and internationally.
Develop partnerships with libraries, archives, museums, universities, cultural heritage organizations, and scholarly communities in Lebanon, the region, and internationally.
Identify collaborative and funding opportunities and work with the University Librarian and relevant University offices on donor relations, grants, fundraising, and initiatives that promote the visibility and impact of AUB’s distinctive collections.
Perform other related duties as assigned.