Head of the American Geographical Society Library

Universities of Wisconsin • Milwaukee, WI

23d • $65,000 - $85,000

About The Position

The AGSL is part of the UWM Golda Meir Library. It is one of the premier collections of its kind in North America, supporting instruction, research, and outreach at UWM and around the world. The collection contains maps, atlases, books, periodicals, photos, and geospatial data supporting a wide range of disciplines. The collections are worldwide in coverage and date from the 15th century to the present. They have been used widely in exhibits, publications, documentaries, and digital collections. The AGSL offers scholarly programs for the campus and local community and welcomes visiting scholars from across the U.S. and the world. More information is available on the AGSL website at https://uwm.edu/libraries/agsl/. The Golda Meir Library seeks an experienced and creative leader to serve as the head of the American Geographical Society Library (AGSL), one of the oldest, largest, and most distinguished geographical research libraries in North America. Reporting to the Director of Libraries, the head is responsible for developing the extraordinary collections of the AGSL, promoting their use by the UWM community and researchers worldwide, and leveraging digital technologies to develop new services and uses of the collections. The head will also expand awareness of the AGSL through instruction, presentations, and participating in national and international associations and conferences.

Requirements

• MLS/MLIS from an ALA-accredited institution
• Evidence of knowledge of cartography, its history, and the history of geographical ideas earned through coursework, degrees, certifications, or work experience
• Three years of experience in a research library or equivalent institution

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree or above in geography or other relevant field
• Evidence of experience with rare materials librarianship, including conservation/preservation techniques
• Evidence of successful grant writing and fundraising expertise
• Demonstrated strong professional leadership and involvement
• Strong evidence in professional leadership of a team
• Evidence of participation in professional and scholarly associations and conferences
• Evidence of supervisory experience of professional and/or para-professional staff

Responsibilities

• Oversees day-to-day management of unit operations, services, and space, including Collection development Collection management, including gift and processing workflows, conservation and preservation Reference services, research consultations, and course-related instruction Outreach programs, such as lecture series, fellowships, and exhibits
• Supervises staff and student employees, including onboarding, coaching, performance review, and goal setting.
• Teaches and lectures about the AGSL collections and other areas of expertise
• Designs, develops, and provides leadership on projects, programs, procedures, and services
• Resolves complex issues which may impact policies and procedures within the unit
• Manages the operating budget
• Collaborates with other library departments such Digital Collections & Initiatives, Archives and Special Collections, and Collection & Resource Management
• Collaborates with UWM Advancement on grant and gift proposals for acquiring, processing, digitizing, and preserving materials
• Contributes to and provides leadership in the field of cartographic and geospatial librarianship at the local, national, and international levels.
• Advances librarianship at the campus, national, and international levels through committee participation.

Benefits

• UWM offers a comprehensive benefits package and contributes toward the cost of several benefit plans. Employees with a qualifying position also receive an extensive leave package including vacation, sick leave (with no expiration), personal holiday, and paid legal holidays.

What This Job Offers

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