Assistant Librarian (Manuscript Curator)

Utah State University Libraries seek an innovative, collaborative, and service-oriented individual to fill the position of Manuscript Curator. The successful candidate will have a strong interest in the subject areas comprising the Libraries’ manuscript holdings, as well as an ability to successfully manage, process and promote these primary sources through teaching, instruction, and outreach to university and community researchers.

Position Summary:

This 12-month, tenure-track, entry-level faculty position with rank of Assistant Librarian manages and oversees the Division’s 12,000 linear feet of manuscript holdings. The Manuscript Curator acquires, arranges, describes, and provides access and storage for the collections. In addition to personally processing collections him/herself, the Curator also manages students, staff, interns and volunteers in the processing of collections. The Curator maintains Manuscript finding aids on the Division’s website, as well as coordinates the cataloging of finding aids with the Cataloging Department. He or she investigates and implements innovative ways for providing timely public access to unprocessed collections. Working in collaboration with the Digital Initiatives Department, the Curator selects materials for digitization and contributes to the creation of interesting digital collections showcasing the Library’s most unique special collections and archives; likewise he or she coordinates exhibits and other Library events based on Special Collections materials and also works with donors in acquiring new collections. This curator will join with other Division staff in providing excellent reference service. This position reports to the Associate Dean for Special Collections and Archives.

Responsibilities and duties include:

• Processing and describing collections in accordance with current professional standards
• Writing, editing and encoding finding aids in Encoded Archival Description (EAD)
• Uploading and maintaining manuscript finding aids on the Division’s website
• Working with the Cataloging Department to provide online catalog records
• Supervising employees in processing collections and creating finding guides
• Providing reference and instruction on using primary source collections
• Becoming knowledgeable about all Special Collections’ holdings
• Selecting acquisitions and working with collection development
• Selecting content for inclusion in digital collections
• Working with Digital Initiatives in the overall creation and design of Special Collections and Archives driven collections
• Collaborating on library exhibitions

Minimum Qualifications:

• Masters of Library Science from an ALA-accredited program or a Master’s Degree in History or a related field
• Experience processing manuscript or archival collections
• Experience describing manuscript collections and creating finding guides
• Demonstrated knowledge of preservation issues surrounding manuscript collections
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Ability to meet requirements for tenure and promotion

Preferred Qualifications:

• Special collections or archival experience in an academic setting
• Experience supervising employees
• Knowledge of western American, Utah, and Mormon history
• Knowledge of current standards for manuscript collection description – EAD, DACS, MARC

Salary: $36,500 which includes an excellent benefits package, with generous University contribution to TIAA/CREF retirement, 22 days vacation, and sick leave. Utah State University is a land-grant institution serving a student population of 25,000. It is situated in a valley 80 miles north of Salt Lake City and offers an affordable cost of living and a variety of outdoor recreational opportunities.

Review of applications begins June 1, 2011.

Position open until filled.

To apply online go to http://jobs.usu.edu/applicants/Central?quickFind=56011