Curator of Books and Maps

Curator of Books and Maps, Special Collections Department The University of Iowa Libraries The University of Iowa Libraries seeks a collaborative and service-oriented librarian to serve as Curator of Books and Maps, with a primary focus on the history of the book, book arts, and cartography. Under the general direction of the Head of Special Collections, the Curator of Books and Maps will develop, manage, promote, and make accessible collections focused on these areas, and will also work with archival collections with the same focus. In collaboration with the Outreach and Engagement Librarian and the Public Services Librarian, they will serve as the primary contact for many visiting classes and reference questions and will also contribute to departmental outreach to the university community. Specific duties and responsibilities include:

• Curate rare book collections, especially those focused on the history of the book and book arts, and manuscript collections focused on the same.
• Curate map collection and related collections throughout Special Collections.
• Explore new areas for collection development and expand on existing collection strengths, working in close coordination with other Special Collections staff and colleagues across the University.
• Build and sustain relationships with students and faculty, in collaboration with other curators and subject liaisons.
• Liaise with donors and prospective donors, in coordination with the Head of Special Collections and the Assistant University Librarian for Advancement.
• Instruct undergraduate, graduate, and community classes and promote use of special collections and archival material in the curriculum.
• Support day-to-day operations in the department, including serving at the reference desk in the reading room. Provide reference services via phone, email, and in person on a variety of topics.
• Collaborate with colleagues working in areas of collection development, archival and manuscript processing, rare books cataloging, preservation, digitization, and instruction.
• Assist with physical and digital exhibits, events and programs.
• Contribute to department-level planning and the formulation of new policies and procedures.
• Keep abreast of developments in special collections standards and trends, applying new rules, interpretations, and techniques as appropriate.
• Contribute to the profession through service, research, publishing, and/or teaching.
• Participate in and contribute to relevant library and University-wide activities and committees.
• Additional job duties as assigned based on individual knowledge, skills, and abilities.

The University of Iowa Libraries system consists of the Main Library, the Hardin Library for the Health Sciences and a number of branch libraries. The UI Libraries has more than 5.7 million volumes including thousands of electronic resources.  We coordinate the development and maintenance of the University’s locally-created open access digital resources including the Iowa Digital Library, featuring close to a million digitized texts, images, and audio and video recordings, as well as Iowa Research Online, our institutional repository. Our Special Collections include over 250,000 rare books, ranging in age from the 15^th century to newly created artists’ books, as well as 4.7 miles of manuscripts. We also host the Greater Midwestern Regional Library of the National Network of Libraries of Medicine. The University of Iowa Libraries is a member of the Big Ten Academic Alliance, the Association of Research Libraries and a variety of other regional and national collaboratives focused on information services at scale.  The Libraries provides a program of support for professional development activities and its staff members are actively engaged in national cooperative efforts.  The Libraries are a founding member of the Association of College and Research Libraries’ Diversity Alliance.   Qualifications Required Qualifications:

• ALA-accredited Master’s degree in Library and Information Science.
• For appointment at the Specialist Librarian level: two years of professional experience working in a special collections environment, including the physical handling of rare books and/or works on paper.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a team-based setting where consultation, flexibility, collaboration and cooperation are essential.
• Demonstrated willingness to take on new challenges and opportunities with initiative and creativity.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity in the workplace or community.

Desired Qualifications:

• Classwork, certification(s), concentration(s), or additional degree(s) in special collections and/or history of the book.
• Ability to build and sustain key relationships with donors, researchers, faculty, students, staff, community and/or professional colleagues.
• Basic understanding of metadata standards and schemas for describing rare books and/or archives.
• Bibliographic knowledge of one or more languages in addition to English.
• Demonstrated understanding of the mission of a research university and the mission and functions of a large research library.

  Application Details: To apply for the position: http://p.rfer.us/UIOWASFL4nh In order to be considered for an interview, applicants must upload a resume and cover letter and mark them as a "Relevant File" to the submission. This position will be posted through at least April 5, 2020 and may be removed from posting and filled any time after the original posting period has ended. Applications received by that date will receive priority review. Successful candidates will be subject to a criminal background check and degree verification. Up to 5 professional references will be requested at a later step in the recruitment process.

Equal opportunity/affirmative action employer

The University of Iowa is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment free from discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, age, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, religion, associational preference, status as a qualified individual with a disability, or status as a protected veteran. Persons with disabilities who need assistance or accommodations with the application or interview process may contact University Human Resources/Faculty and Staff Disability Services, (319) 335-2660 or fsds@uiowa.edu.  For jobs in UI Health care, please contact UI Health care Leave & Disability Administration at 319-356-7543.

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