Curator of the Iowa Women's Archives

UIOWA•Iowa City, IA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The University of Iowa Libraries Special Collections and Archives seeks an innovative, collaborative, and service-oriented archivist to serve as Curator of the Louise Noun – Mary Louise Smith Iowa Women’s Archives. Under the general direction of the Director of Special Collections & Archives, the Curator administers the Iowa Women’s Archives [IWA] and develops, manages, promotes, and makes accessible collections focused on Iowa women’s and gender history. The Curator of the Iowa Women’s Archives serves as a leader for this unit within the broader Special Collections & Archives department and collaborates closely with the Director of Special Collections & Archives and the Associate Curator of the IWA to develop and set the direction for the Iowa Women’s Archives. The Curator supervises the Women in Politics Archivist and graduate assistants and works with other IWA staff to strengthen and develop the IWA. They also collaborate and consult with other department staff such as the Lead Outreach and Instruction Librarian, the Lead Public Services Librarian, and those working in collection development roles to enhance cohesive engagement with the community and coordinated development of the department as a whole. The Louise Noun – Mary Louise Smith Iowa Women’s Archives, established in 1992, is named for its founders, two Des Moines women who conceived the idea of a repository that would preserve the history of Iowa women. Inspired by the vision of its founders, the Archives nourishes creative research, learning, and teaching and has a robust outreach program to gather and preserve the history of Iowa women, their families, and their communities from all walks of life and of groups underrepresented in archives. Through its programs and online resources, the Archives serves a broad audience ranging from students and scholars to the general public. The IWA holds approximately 1200 collections.

Requirements

A graduate degree in library and information science from an ALA-accredited institution or international equivalent, or a graduate degree in archival studies.
Formal coursework or training in archival management and theory
For appointment at the Expert Librarian level: At least 4 years of professional experience working in an archives or special collections, including the physical handling of archival collections
For appointment at the Senior Librarian level: At least 6 years of professional experience working in an archives or special collections, including the physical handling of archival collections, at least 2 of which involved substantial managerial/administrative responsibilities
Knowledge of and experience in implementing current trends and best practices in the archival field, including familiarity with technologies and best practices in core functions such as appraisal, description, digitization, preservation, and access.
Supervisory experience
Excellent written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills
Demonstrated ability to work in a team-based setting where consultation, flexibility, and collaboration are essential
Demonstrated ability to support a welcoming and respectful environment in a job-related experience, an academic setting, and/or the community

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree in US History, American Studies, or related field, preferably with an emphasis on women’s and/or gender history
Experience with public history, including programming, events, and exhibitions
Evidence of competence in managing change in complex environments
Familiarity with digital standards and experience working with born digital collections
Professional engagement at regional or national level demonstrating evidence of leadership and continuing significant achievement

Responsibilities

Select, Acquire, Organize, Preserve, and Provide Information Resources and Services
Represent the IWA in collection development work; oversee appraisal decisions, organization, and description of relevant collections.
Explore new areas for collection development and opportunities to expand on existing collection strengths, especially in ways that welcome a wider cross-section of the campus community, while working in close coordination with other staff both inside and outside of the department.
Collaborate with colleagues working in areas of collection development, archival and manuscript processing, cataloging, conservation, digitization, and instruction.
Actively participate in the SCA Collections Group, engaging in conversations around accessions and deaccessions, workflow and procedure updates, and policy creation across repositories.
Identify potential candidate materials for reformatting and/or digitization within personal areas of expertise and responsibilities.
Instruction, Consultation, and Research Services
Interpret and promote the use of collection material through outreach activities to and instruction of undergraduate, graduate, and community classes.
Plan pedagogical strategies or activities advancing course goals or aligning with visitor interests.
Support the Libraries’ instruction and outreach program, including working with university faculty to increase usage of resources in support of learning and research.
Plan and assist with physical and digital exhibits, events, and programs.
Support day-to-day operations in the Iowa Women’s Archives.
Provide reference services via phone, email, and in person on a variety of topics, especially when inquiries relate to personal areas of expertise and responsibilities.
Leadership/Staff and Resource Management/Financial Responsibility
Supervise P&S staff members and graduate research assistants in the IWA.
Identify opportunities to spend budget allocations effectively and responsibly.
Liaise with donors and prospective donors, in coordination with the Director of Special Collections and Archives and development staff.
Administer the Linda and Richard Kerber Travel Grant for research in the IWA.
Contribute to department-level planning and the formulation of new policies and procedures.
Continuous Learning & Skills Development
Keep abreast of developments in archival standards and trends, applying new rules, interpretations, and techniques as appropriate.
Grow knowledge of cultures, languages, materials, and other ancillary subjects related to collections.
Foster the professional development of staff that contributes to their individual career goals, the profession, and the organization to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing information landscape.
Additional job duties as assigned based on individual knowledge, skills, and abilities.
Professional Contributions
Contribute to the profession through service, research, publishing, and teaching.
Participate in relevant library and university-wide activities and committees