Director of Special Collections and Archives - Connecticut College

Director of Special Collections and Archives - The Charles E. Shain Library at Connecticut College Library invites applications for the position of Ruth Rusch Sheppe '40 Director of Special Collections and Archives. The position reports to the Vice President for Information Services and Librarian of the College. It is responsible for providing leadership, vision, planning and management for the Department of Special Collections and Archives of the Connecticut College Library and oversees departmental operations in the new Linda Lear Center for Special Collections and Archives. Duties include the development, preservation and organization of the collections; providing research and teaching access to the collections; the cultivation of donor relations; seeking grants to support program initiatives; creating programs and exhibitions; and may include participation in the library's departmental liaison program. The successful candidate will be a creative, experienced and forward-looking librarian committed to undergraduate education and the active support of faculty and student research. The Director of Special Collections and Archives supervises one professional staff member, student assistants and temporary special project staff, and is expected to create and maintain an environment that will enable staff to participate and contribute appropriately to meeting the goals of the organization. As a member of the Information Services Leadership Team the Director of Special Collections and Archives plays a leading role in all aspects of department-wide planning, budgeting, operations, policy development, communications, and can expect to work closely with the heads of other units as well as with many of the major offices on campus. The rare book collection consists of about 50,000 volumes ranging from incunabula to modern first and limited editions. There is also a large collection of historical and literary manuscripts, artists books, institutional records, photographs and documents dealing with college history, biographical materials and personal papers. Particular strengths include early books on travel, religion and the natural sciences, the Gildersleeve Collection of Children's Literature, the New London Imprint Collection, the Chu-Griffis Asian Art Collection as well as the William Meredith, the Sheaffer-O'Neill and the Lear/Carson Collections. These and other items support coursework across the curriculum and original research by students, faculty, and the scholarly community at large, as well as a continuing series of exhibitions and programs. QUALIFICATIONS: Required: ALA-accredited MLS or its equivalent; minimum 5 years successful and increasingly responsible experience in special collections and/or archives in an academic or research library and including knowledge of institutional repositories, metadata, open access initiatives, and digital processes; evidence of administrative effectiveness and the ability to work successfully as part of an academic leadership team; demonstrated ability to facilitate change and collegiality and to work positively and productively with diverse constituencies; experience with a wide range of special collections work; evidence of strong leadership, planning, and organizational skills; involvement in the profession; demonstrated commitment to public services and to building strong faculty and student relationships; interest in and commitment to participating in undergraduate education; awareness of issues and developments in liberal arts curriculum; experience soliciting and acquiring collections; an understanding of the role of the department in library fundraising and the ability to create positive relations with donors and support groups. Preferred: MA or Ph.D. in a related academic field in addition to the MLS; supervisory experience; grant-seeking and administration experience; experience in evaluating and selecting rare books and manuscripts. APPLICATION PROCEDURES: Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, resume, and the names and contact information (mail, e-mail, and telephone numbers) of three professional references to Connecticut College, Office of Human Resources, 270 Mohegan Avenue, New London, CT 06320. Review of applications will begin September 26, 2008 with an anticipated start date of January 2009. The College is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed by mission to developing diversity and sustaining a diverse faculty and staff.