Special Collection Librarian - Pequot Library, Southport, CT

Special Collection Librarian - Pequot Library, Southport
     Report to: Executive Director
     Supervises: Part-time Special Collections and Exhibitions Assistant and occasional high school and college/university interns and volunteers.
     Status: Full time; exempt salaried employee, 40 hours/week, with occasional evenings and weekends.
     Salary/compensation: Commensurate with experience and education. Pequot Library provides a competitive benefit package including health, dental and vision insurance, employee and employer contributed pension plans, and generous paid time off. Pequot Library is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
     Overview: 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 Library’s senior staff (Chief Librarian, Education Manager, and Manager of Marketing and Communications), s/he helps plan strategic initiatives for Pequot Library that connect patrons and visitors to creative exhibit- and collection-related programming.
     Major Responsibilities: Oversees all Special Collections operations (systems and workflows for facilities, security, preservation, and acquisitions), budget administration, and services (reference, reading room, cross-training, instruction, exhibition developments). Curates and/or supervises curation of two exhibitions per calendar year, creating and managing 5-year exhibition calendar, liaising with the staff of the Beinecke Library at Yale to retrieve exhibit materials, representing the Library during public occasions associated with the exhibitions, and mentoring others in selection as well as didactic and visual preparations. Provides leadership and vision in the selection, organization, and ongoing management of the Library’s Special Collections. Works closely with Pequot’s Executive Director and Chief Librarian to develop a long-term road-map and capacity planning for digitization of Special Collections materials. Provides leadership in setting priorities, planning workflows, recommending changes to procedures and policies; resolves problems, interprets policies, generates statistics and reports, carries out projects. 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. Works closely with Pequot Library’s Chief Librarian and Circulation Front Desk staff to provide cross-training and consultation related to Special Collections policies and workflows. Works closely with Pequot’s Education Manager, Children’s Librarian, and Educational support staff and volunteers in the creation of docent training and K-12, university, and adult school tour materials. Works to collaborate with other staff, board and committee members to inspire long-term patrons and attract new audiences to Pequot’s Special Collections. 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. 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. 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. Establishes, monitors, and incorporates performance indicators to assess and improve the quality of services provided by Pequot’s Special Collections. Make recommendations for the Special Collections budget and regularly monitors the operational budget. Participates in overall Library planning, including the move of collections and transition of services in coordination with staff. Delivers occasional informative and educational reports to the Library’s Board of Trustees. May be required to assist with disaster recovery efforts. May perform other duties as assigned.
     Minimum Qualifications: Completed 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. A minimum of two to three years of professional experience in a public, association, and/or academic libraries are required.
     Required Skill and Abilities: 1. Demonstrated commitment to excellence and innovation in developing programs for a diverse audience rooted in professional customer service and broad community outreach, which includes curating exhibitions, working with community partners, and providing reference and instructional services to a broad audience of learners. 2. Demonstrated experience in digitization projects, involving paper archives and / or imprints. 3. Strong organizational, time-management, and multitasking skills. Ability to effectively manage multiple projects and meet established deadlines. 4. 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. 5. 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 Skill and Abilities: 1. Advanced degree and/or relevant experience in Early Americana, literature, American history, art, or a related field in the Humanities. Experience working in a nonprofit arts and culture organization or history museum. 2. Record of professional development and service to the field of special collections 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 small-sized staff and complex budgets. Demonstrated problem solving skills, experience coordinating projects involving multiple stakeholders, and the ability to bring projects to fruition. 5. Experience managing both analog and digital materials.
     Background Check Requirements: All offers are contingent upon the successful completion of the background check which can include a criminal history.
     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 position. Employees will be assigned specific job-related duties by the Executive Director.
     Equal Employment Opportunity Policy: Pequot Library Association provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.
     About Pequot Library: Bringing Literature, Music, Art, Science & the Humanities to our Community. Pequot Library’s mission extends far beyond most traditional public libraries. Housed in a historic building, framed by an expansive front lawn, and located on over three acres in the idyllic village of Southport in Fairfield, Connecticut, Pequot Library is a gem to be discovered. For over 130 years, Pequot Library has been a cultural pillar of Fairfield County, providing professional, engaging library services and diverse programming to our local and regional community. Pequot Library helps children develop a life-long interest in reading and learning through engaging programs and special activities. The library presents concerts, exhibitions, lectures, and a wide range of cultural, educational, and community-centered events in both its auditorium/concert hall and the Perkin Gallery. Inspired by its collections, the library engages its audiences with the pressing issues of today. Pequot Library is committed to integrating its unique important Special Collections into its day-to-day service to a broad and diverse community through exhibitions, multidisciplinary programs, and hands-on learning opportunities. In 2018 the Library was awarded the Connecticut Treasure award by the CT. Chapter AIA and an Award of Excellence from the CT. League of History Organizations.
     Interested and qualified candidates are encouraged to send a confidential letter of interest, c.v./resume, and three references (in one document) with the subject heading Special Collections Librarian to jobs@pequotlibrary.org. Application period open until position is filled. Only the most qualified candidates will be contacted.