Native American Collections Curator

The University of New Mexico (UNM) College of University Libraries & Learning Sciences (CULLS) seeks an engaged, service-oriented Native American Collections Curator to manage and promote its collections related to Southwestern Native American and Indigenous cultures and history. The College welcomes interested candidates from underrepresented groups, including but not limited to: women, people of color, LGBTQ+, ability/disability, and non-binary gender identities. We also invite candidates from members of underrepresented and/or marginalized groups that do not fit into the categories listed above. The Curator is part of the Center for Southwest Research and Special Collections (CSWR) and works closely with faculty and students conducting research in a variety of academic fields related to this geographic area. The Curator supports the campus community through specialized and general reference services and instructional programs, and engages in outreach to Southwestern tribes and Pueblos. The Curator reports to the Director of the CSWR and, in consultation with colleagues, has curatorial responsibility for all Native American Collections. This is a full-time, 12-month, tenure-track faculty position. The desired start date is July 1, 2021. The annual salary is negotiable based on qualifications and includes full benefits. Responsibilities The Native American Collections Curator is responsible for all library collections related to Native Americans and Indigenous peoples. Responsibilities include analyzing the strengths and weaknesses of the collections in order to manage their development, preservation, and growth. This involves building archival and research collections on the contemporary and historical cultures of Native American and Indigenous tribes and Pueblos with an emphasis on New Mexico and the Southwest, including both primary and secondary materials. The Curator initiates and manages strategic initiatives, programs, outreach activities, grants, and special projects, including a reorganization and digitization of the Native American Oral Histories Collection (Doris Duke Collection). Digital collection development projects will be in collaboration with the Digital Initiatives and Scholarly Communication (DISC) department. The Curator will act as the Tribal and Pueblo Liaison contact for the University Libraries. CSWR serves an extremely varied group of researchers who range from members of the general public and relatively inexperienced undergraduates to advanced graduate students, faculty members, visiting scholars, and other researchers from across the state and around the world. Primary Duties • Develops and manages Native American archival and general collections. • Engages in library outreach activities related to Southwestern tribes and pueblos. • Works with the communities from where collections originate, respecting sovereignty as well as cultural and intellectual property rights. • Serves as the primary liaison and actively develops professional relationships with faculty, staff, and students in cross-disciplinary fields of Native American Studies. • Works collaboratively across University Libraries, including with the Indigenous Nations Library Program (INLP), DISC, and the Collections Department. • In conjunction with the Library’s INLP, supports Indigenous learning, promotes Indigenous scholarship, and cultivates Indigenous creation. • Provides instruction in research and information literacy for Native American subject areas. • Provides research consultation to individuals and groups. • Will work regularly scheduled shifts at the CSWR reference desk. • Serves as the Tribal and Pueblo liaison contact for the University Libraries. • Contributes to CULLS initiatives that further UNM’s commitment to diversity and inclusion. Actively engages in anti-racist work to advance inclusive excellence and redress systemic inequities. • Participates in CULLS faculty governance and in library management as required. • Meets librarianship & teaching, scholarship, and service requirements for promotion and tenure as detailed in the UNM Faculty Handbook. Qualifications Minimum basic qualifications by start date: • An earned Master’s degree from an American Library Association (ALA) accredited library/information sciences program or equivalent degree OR a doctorate in a discipline with an emphasis in Native American history, culture, or related fields. • One year of experience with Native American collections in a library, archive, or special collections. Preferred (desired) qualifications: • Experience developing and managing Native American archival and general collections in an academic or research setting. • Experience with projects and events promoting Native American Collections. • Knowledge of and experience with cultural protocols of the tribes and pueblos of North America with a preference for New Mexico and the Southwest U.S. • Knowledge of and experience with the Protocols for Native American Archival Materials. • Proficiency in an Indigenous language of North America with a preference for New Mexican or Southwestern languages. Proficiency in Spanish. • A strong service orientation, with demonstrated experience with outreach. • Experience providing reference, research consultations, and instruction. • Knowledge of existing and emerging trends in scholarship related to Native American culture and history, with a preference for New Mexico and the Southwest. • Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills. • Knowledge of and experience with digital scholarship, technologies, and tools. • Record of accomplishment as a scholar-librarian. • Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and student success as well as working with broadly diverse communities. The Environment Founded in 1889, the University of New Mexico sits on the traditional homelands of the Pueblo of Sandia. The original peoples of New Mexico – Pueblo, Navajo, and Apache – since time immemorial, have deep connections to the land and have made significant contributions to the broader community statewide. We honor the land itself and those who remain stewards of this land throughout the generations and also acknowledge our committed relationship to Indigenous peoples. We gratefully recognize our history. UNM is a member of the Association of Research Libraries, Center for Research Libraries, and the Greater Western Library Alliance and leads the LIBROS Consortium of seventeen academic libraries in New Mexico. The UNM Libraries contains over 3.5 million volumes and includes three libraries: Centennial Science & Engineering Library, Fine Arts & Design Library, and Zimmerman Library (humanities, social sciences, business, and education). Zimmerman Library houses the Center for Southwest Research and Special Collections. UNM is a Tier I Research Institution and a Hispanic-serving institution. UNM is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and educator. CULLS condemns racism. UNM Libraries values its Native American Collections, recognizes them as one of its distinctive collections, and is actively working to further develop its Native American Collections and Services as an area of strategic focus. CSWR’s extensive Native American holdings contain rare and unique primary research collections in all formats. Discover more about CSWR and its Native American holdings through our websites at http://elibrary.unm.edu/cswr.

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