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Curator of the Iowa Women's Archives

Curator of the Iowa Women's Archives

University of Iowa Job Location: Iowa Apply By: 02/02/2021 Date Created: 12-30-2020

University of Iowa Libraries Curator of the Louise Noun – Mary Louise Smith Iowa Women’s Archives Classification Title: Expert Librarian (PLB3/5A) Percent of time: 100% FTE Department: Special Collections & University Archives Staff Type: Professional & Scientific Salary Range: $55,000 - $85,000 Position Description: The University of Iowa Libraries seeks an innovative, collaborative, and service-oriented archivist to serve as Curator of the Louise Noun – Mary Louise Smith Iowa Women’s Archives. Under the general direction of the Head of Special Collections, the Curator administers the Iowa Women’s Archives [IWA] and develops, manages, promotes, and makes accessible collections focused on Iowa women’s and gender history. The Curator of the Iowa Women’s Archives serves as a leader for this unit within the broader Special Collections department. The Curator will supervise the Assistant Curator and Processing Archivist, and may also supervise up to two graduate assistants. They will collaborate with these other IWA staff to continue strengthening and growing the IWA, and will also work with other department staff such as the Head, the Outreach and Engagement Librarian, the Public Services Librarian, and other Curators to enhance cohesive engagement with the community and development of the department as a whole. Special Collections also includes the University Archives, the International Dada Archive, and the Sackner Archive of Concrete and Visual Poetry. The Iowa Women’s Archives is the only one of these to be funded in part by an endowment and investments established when the Archives was founded. Specific duties and responsibilities:
  • Administer the Iowa Women’s Archives and curate its collections
  • Promote use of the Archives, offer a broad user education program, provide reference and instructional services, and publicize the Archives locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally
  • Represent the IWA in collection development work, including work with donors and prospective donors of manuscript collections; oversee appraisal decisions, organization, and description of collections
  • Explore new areas for collection development and expand on existing collection strengths, working in close coordination with IWA and Special Collections staff and colleagues across the University
  • Build and sustain relationships with students and faculty, in collaboration with other curators and subject liaisons
  • Instruct undergraduate, graduate, and community classes and promote use of IWA materials in the curriculum
  • Liaise with financial donors and prospective donors, in coordination with the Head of Special Collections and the Assistant University Librarian for Advancement
  • Draft and submit proposals for project grant funds to promote collection development, access, and use
  • Supervise P&S staff members and graduate research assistants
  • Administer Linda and Richard Kerber Travel Grant for research in IWA
  • Collaborate with colleagues working in areas of collection development, archival and manuscript processing, 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
  • Support day to day operations in the department
  • Keep abreast of developments in archival 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
Required Qualifications:
  • A graduate degree in library and information science from an ALA-accredited institution or equivalent, or a graduate degree in archival studies, or the equivalent combination of graduate degree and archival experience
  • Formal coursework or training in archival management and theory
  • 5 years of professional experience working in an archives or special collections, including the physical handling of archival collections
  • Excellent written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills
  • Demonstrated ability to work in a team-based setting where consultation, flexibility, and collaboration are essential
  • Professional engagement at regional or national level
  • Demonstrated commitment to diversity in an academic environment, in a workplace setting, and/or in the community
Desired Qualifications:
  • Advanced degree in US History, American Studies, or related field, preferably with an emphasis on women’s and/or gender history
  • Supervisory experience
  • Experience with public history, including programming, events, and exhibitions
  • Evidence of competence in managing change in complex environments
  • Familiarity with digital standards and experience working with born digital collections
The Louise Noun – Mary Louise Smith Iowa Women’s Archives Established in 1992, the Archives is named for its founders, two Des Moines women who conceived the idea of a repository that would preserve the history of Iowa women. Inspired by the vision of its founders, the Louise Noun – Mary Louise Smith Iowa Women’s Archives nourishes creative research, learning, and teaching and has a robust outreach program to gather and preserve the history of Iowa women, their families, and their communities from all walks of life and of groups underrepresented in archives. The Iowa Women’s Archives is nationally recognized for its holdings that reflect the diversity of Iowans across race, class, ethnicity, and gender identity. Through its programs and online resources, the Archives serves a broad audience ranging from students and scholars to the general public. The IWA holds approximately 1200 collections. Application Details: To apply for the position: http://p.rfer.us/UIOWAMav6RM Applications are only accepted through the Jobs@UIOWA website linked above. In order to be eligible for interview, applicants must upload the following and mark them as “relevant files” when you upload the documents:
  1. Current resume
  2. Cover letter that clearly addresses how you meet the listed required and desired qualifications of this position.
  3. Statement regarding diversity, equity, access, and inclusion. The University of Iowa Libraries welcomes and serves all, including people of color from all nations, immigrants, people with disabilities, LGBTQ+, and the most vulnerable in our community. We safeguard the human right to access information. We offer educational resources that promote diversity, equity, access, and inclusion, and we strive to build collections that reflect all points of view on current and historical issues. Include an applicant statement to include examples of ways you have advanced diversity, equity, access, and inclusion in the workplace or community or provide other evidence of your demonstrated commitment to diversity.
This position will be posted through at least February 2, 2021 and may be removed from posting and filled any time after the original posting period has ended. 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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