Manager of Library and Special Collections

Colburn Careers•Los Angeles, CA

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The Manager of Library and Special Collections provides strategic leadership and oversight for the Colburn School Library and its archival collections, supporting the academic, artistic, and community needs of students and faculty across music and dance programs at the Conservatory, Music Academy, Trudl Zipper Dance Institute, and Community School. The Manger oversees library operations, acquisitions, collections management, and learning resources while also serving as the institutional lead for Colburn’s special collections and archives. This position combines traditional library stewardship with forward-thinking community engagement, ensuring that library and archival resources continue to evolve alongside the changing needs of today’s students, artists, and educators. The Manager will lead efforts to modernize and activate the library as a vibrant performing arts resource hub — one that supports research, creativity, collaboration, wellness initiatives, artistic exploration, and interdisciplinary engagement while honoring the School’s history and traditions. Colburn’s current holdings include the Piatigorsky Archive (papers and effects of cellist Gregor Piatigorsky), the Herbert and Trudl Zipper Archival Collection (spanning five decades and documenting their lives, including the Holocaust years), the marked scores of pianist Theodore Lettvin, and the performance scores of conductor and composer Esa-Pekka Salonen. The Manager will ensure these and future collections are preserved, activated, and meaningfully shared with the community through both traditional archival practices and dynamic programming, including performances, exhibitions, presentations, and public engagement opportunities.

Requirements

Master’s degree in Library and Information Science, Archival Studies, Musicology, Arts Administration, or related field required.
Strong background and familiarity with music and the performing arts required.
Minimum 5 years of professional experience in libraries, archives, collections management, or related performing arts environments.
Demonstrated experience overseeing archival collections, library resources, or special collections initiatives.
Knowledge of archival standards, records management principles, and library systems.
Strong leadership, organizational, and project management skills.
Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
Ability to collaborate effectively across departments and with students, faculty, donors, researchers, and community partners.
Demonstrated ability to balance operational oversight with community engagement and programming initiatives.
Exceptional attention to detail, discretion, and professional judgment.

Responsibilities

Oversee the acquisition, organization, and dissemination of physical and digital library materials, including scores, texts, audiovisual materials, periodicals, and digital resources.
Lead efforts to expand, evaluate, and thoughtfully refine library collections and learning resources across music and dance disciplines, including identifying materials for acquisition, preservation, or deaccessioning as appropriate.
Collaborate with faculty, students, and administration to assess and support evolving collection needs across academic programs.
Lead initiatives that enhance equitable access to learning resources and support student success.
Edit student recital programs and CSCM and MA concert programs to maintain consistency and accuracy in content through a collaborative editing process.
Maintain awareness of emerging technologies, digital platforms, and library systems relevant to performing arts education and research.
Work collaboratively with leadership to support accreditation standards related to library services and resources.
Oversee library operations, procedures, budgets, and related administrative functions.
Provide individual research and learning support to students, including guidance related to academic projects, presentations, and written materials.
Serve as Fulbright Program Advisor for Conservatory students, supporting applicants through the development and execution of proposals and applications.
Serve as the lead archivist for Colburn’s existing and future special collections.
Develop, arrange, and describe collections in accordance with archival standards and practices, including creation of finding aids and digital tools.
Maintain systems for digitization, cataloguing, and long-term preservation.
Develop and implement policies, procedures, and standards related to archival stewardship and access.
Supervise staff, student workers, interns, and volunteers supporting library and archival initiatives.
Support outreach and communications to highlight the importance of Colburn’s collections and their integration into the institution’s mission.
Foster a welcoming and collaborative library environment that supports research, creativity, and community engagement.
Activate library and archival spaces through exhibits, performances, lectures, workshops, affinity group gatherings, and interdisciplinary programming.
Host events, presentations, and tours that engage students, faculty, donors, alumni, and the public with Colburn’s collections and resources.
Work closely with the Center for Innovation and Community Impact (CICI) to cultivate programs, partnerships, and initiatives that expand community engagement and interdisciplinary collaboration across the institution.
Collaborate with departments including Wellness, Residence Life, Academic Affairs, and Student Affairs to support campus-wide initiatives and student engagement efforts.
Support educational programming and initiatives that connect students with institutional and community learning resources.
Other duties and responsibilities as assigned.