Special Collections Librarian - Pequot Library,
Southport. Full time, Permanent, Exempt. Work week: Standard (M-F equal
number of hours per day). Total # of hours to be worked: 37.5.
Occasional evenings and weekends when needed.
Position Focus: Reporting to the Executive Director,
the Special Collections Librarian directly oversees Pequot Library's
special collections (rare books, manuscripts, and archives) and research
services, and coordinates the Library's exhibitions that incorporate
holdings from its Special Collections.
Pequot Library's Special Collections includes a broad
selection of fine books, manuscripts, and archival holdings that reflect
Early Americana, nature, science, literature and the Arts. The
energetic and enthusiastic incumbent will manage Pequot's Special
Collections by exemplifying and promoting the highest service standards,
and leveraging resources to provide excellent customer service
throughout the library. S/he shares responsibility with the Executive
Director and the Special Collections Committee for long-range strategic
planning for these valued collections. The Special Collections Librarian
fosters a creative, collaborative, and team-oriented work environment,
and facilitates communication and coordination among the library staff.
The Special Collections Librarian establishes and
improves policies for Pequot Library in support of customer service,
research, and learning by providing reliable, secure, and appropriate
access to Pequot's collections. In collaboration with the Manager of
Public Programs, s/he helps plan strategic initiatives for Pequot
Library that connect patrons and visitors to creative exhibition- and
collection-related programming.
Essential Duties: 1. Oversees all Special Collections
operations (systems and workflows for facilities, security,
preservation, and acquisitions), budget administration, and services
(reference, reading room, cross-training, instruction, exhibitions). 2.
Provides leadership and vision in the selection, organization, and
ongoing management of the Library's Special Collections. 3. Provides
leadership in setting priorities, planning workflows, recommending
changes to procedures and policies; resolves problems, interprets
policies, generates statistics and reports, carries out projects. 4.
Supervises interns, volunteers, and any support staff working on the
day-to-day operations or special projects using the resources of
Pequot's Special Collections. 5. Works closely with Pequot Library's
Chief Librarian and Front Desk circulation staff to provide
cross-training and consultation related to Special Collections policies
and workflows. 6. Works closely with Pequot's Public Programs Manager,
Children's Librarian, and Educational support staff in the creation of
docent and school tour materials. 7. Works to collaborate with other
staff, board and committee members to inspire long-term patrons and
attract new audiences to Pequot's Special Collections. 8. Collaborates
with the Executive Director to deliver lectures, promotional and/or
instructional sessions, and reference support in the use of Pequot's
Special Collections by the community and the public at large. 9.
Oversees collection development, including: research and selection,
donor relations, and acquisitions negotiations across a broad range of
materials, including books, manuscripts, ephemera, broadsides,
photographs, and other materials that enhance and support the mission of
Pequot Library and its Special Collections. 10. Develops and maintains
strong ties with other librarians in the community and across the region
as well as specialists such as, but not limited to, staff at the
Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library at Yale University and
certified archivists, to foster the effective growth and use of Pequot
Library's Special Collections. 11. Establishes, monitors and
incorporates performance indicators to assess and improve the quality of
services provided by Pequot's Special Collections. 12. Make
recommendations for the Special Collections budget and regularly
monitors the operational budget. 13. Participates in overall Library
planning, including the move of collections and transition of services
in coordination with staff. 14. May be required to assist with disaster
recovery efforts. 15. May perform other duties as assigned.
Required Education and Experience: Master's degree in
Library Science from an ALA-accredited library school and an
undergraduate or graduate degree in literature, history, art, or a
related field in the Humanities.
Required Skills/Abilities: 1: Demonstrated commitment
to excellence and innovation in developing programs for customer service
and outreach, which includes curating exhibits and providing reference
and instructional services. 2: Familiarity with a special collections
environment comprised of archives, manuscripts, rare and antiquarian
books, audio-visual materials, and ephemera as well as in acquiring,
cataloging, processing, preserving, securing, and/or digitizing them. 3:
Demonstrated ability working collegially, both collaboratively and
independently. Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal
communications, analytical ability, and the ability to provide
exceptional service to a diverse clientele.
Preferred Education, Experience and Skills: 1: Advanced
degree and/or relevant experience in Early Americana, literature,
history, art, or a related field in the Humanities. 2: Record of
professional development and service to the field of librarianship. 3:
Demonstrated experience within a non-profit organization and
rapidly-changing team environment. 4: Demonstrated ability to provide
leadership in a library and ability and achievement in working with
staff and budgets. demonstrated problem solving skills, experience
coordinating projects, and the ability to bring projects to fruition. 5:
Experience managing both analog and digital materials.
Posting Disclaimer: The intent of this job description
is to provide a representative summary of the essential functions that
will be required of the position and should not be construed as a
declaration of specific duties and responsibilities of the particular
position. Employees will be assigned specific job-related duties by the
Executive Director.
Pequot Library is an equal opportunity employer. Pequot
Library is a tobacco-free library. Salary commensurate with experience.
Pequot Library offers a competitive benefits package. For more
information about Pequot Library, visit www.pequotlibrary.org.
Please send cover letter and résumé to Pequot Library,
Special Collections Librarian Search Committee, 720 Pequot Avenue,
Southport, CT. 06890 via email in one document with Special Collections
Librarian in the subject line to director@pequotlibrary.org. Qualified candidates are encouraged to apply by Wednesday, April 4, 2018.
