Rare Books Librarian (Assistant Librarian) for Marriott Library

The University of Utah • Salt Lake, UT

15d • $63,000 - $66,000 • Onsite

About The Position

Join an innovative and student-focused team in working with historical books and artifacts as part of a dynamic teaching and research environment. The Division of Special Collections at the J. Willard Marriott Library seeks a vital contributor to its research, teaching, and collections development missions in the role of Rare Books Librarian. This key position will help guide the strategic direction of Special Collections by acting as the primary caretaker of one of the major rare books collections in Utah and the Intermountain West. An active and visible presence on campus, the Librarian will establish collaboration and teaching opportunities in a wide range of subjects and uses of collection items. Reporting to the Associate Dean of Special Collections, the Rare Books Librarian will participate in setting divisional priorities and developing practices and policies together with the Special Collections leadership team. Relocation to the Salt Lake City, Utah area is required and will be financially supported by house hunting and moving allowances. This position is currently designed primarily on-campus with flexibility for limited remote work based on the needs of the position and authorized at the discretion of the Associate Dean. Aligned with the University’s commitment to “ Celebrating U Completely ,” we seek qualified applicants who bring perspectives and experiences that will enrich and strengthen our organization and enhance diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts on our campus. We invite applications from candidates who may not have followed a traditional educational or professional path. All candidates should be prepared to discuss how they see themselves contributing to the University’s equity, diversity, and inclusion efforts. The library serves an increasingly diverse constituency of patrons, and our employees, services, collections, and policies should honor and reflect this diversity. We are therefore interested in candidates who have experience with historically excluded groups and who are committed to advancing our mission to provide equitable access to information resources. To learn about the position or to share a nomination, please reach out to Melanie Hawks, Assistant Dean for DEI and Director of Library Human Resources, at [email protected] . Additional information about the application process can be found at https://lib.utah.edu/faculty-faq.php

Requirements

• ALA -accredited MLS / MLIS or the equivalent combination of a relevant advanced degree and experience
• 3 years experience working in a curatorial role with rare and antiquarian materials
• Knowledge of technological developments and historical movements in book history, from records of written communication in antiquity through East Asian, European, and American printing practices, to current trends
• Familiarity with two or more subject areas represented within the collection, including the history of science, the American West, the European Enlightenment, Arabic manuscripts, the fine press movement, and contemporary book arts
• Knowledge of environmental and security needs of collection materials and familiarity with accessioning, organization, processing, and maintenance of collections
• Experience in teaching with primary research materials and developing course offerings with subject experts in a wide range of disciplines
• Ability to work closely with colleagues in other departments in Special Collections and divisions within the Library
• To be eligible for appointment to our faculty, you will need to demonstrate evidence of active participation and involvement in professional and scholarly associations or a record of scholarly engagement.
• The successful completion of a criminal background check is required by Utah state law ( http://www.regulations.utah.edu/humanResources/5-130.html )

Nice To Haves

• 5 years experience working directly with primary research materials in a Special Collections, archives, museum, or the rare book trade
• Experience with leadership, supervision, and training full-time and/or student staff
• Reading, writing, or speaking skills in a second language
• Ability to create or continue open communication and cooperation with state of Utah institutions and public entities
• Demonstrated proficiency and capability with information technology systems in the context of an academic library
• Experience working on academic research projects using primary research materials, including contributing to grant applications or project oversight

Responsibilities

• Overseeing the foundational activities of the Rare Books department by leading full-time Curator and part-time staff in providing collection security and appropriate use
• Reaching out to the University’s colleges and departments to provide innovative teaching opportunities utilizing the Library’s rare and antiquarian collections
• Supporting students, faculty, and visiting scholars in their research of collection resources, providing active reference services and scheduled Reading Room desk shifts
• Providing training for divisional colleagues and patrons in the use and handling of rare volumes and other materials
• Partnering with book dealers and donors to identify needs and to actively build the collection
• Planning, organizing, and installing physical and digital exhibitions to promote and highlight collection materials and uses
• Working with the Library’s Preservation department to identify and prioritize conservation strategy for rare books materials
• Developing an active outreach program which may include giving presentations, tabling, writing blog posts, enhancing website and online presence, and publishing scholarly or creative articles
• The responsibilities, qualifications, and preferences listed in this posting are intended to give applicants an understanding of the role we are seeking to fill and the types of skills, experience, and education that may have prepared someone to be effective in this role. We do not expect any candidate to be a perfect match for this list or to perform all of the duties with equal proficiency on day one. In your resume and cover letter, please highlight the most relevant qualifications you would bring to this position based on the posting, and tell us how your background, perspective, and experience will help us fulfill our mission and meet our goals.

Benefits

• Excellent benefits include a 14.2% retirement contribution to TIAA - CREF /Fidelity, medical and dental coverage, and generous paid sick and vacation time.
• Relocation to the Salt Lake City, Utah area is required and will be financially supported by house hunting and moving allowances.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees