Associate Dean for Special Research Collections

About The University of Oklahoma Founded in 1890, the University of Oklahoma is a public research university located in Norman, Oklahoma just 20 mins. south of Oklahoma City. OU’s Norman undergraduate population is slightly more than 20,000, giving students a major university experience in a private college atmosphere. OU has three campuses in Oklahoma as well as centers in Arezzo, Italy, Puebla, Mexico, and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Many of our degree programs are ranked best in the nation and provide real-world experiences for students. In fact, not only is OU home to the National Weather Center and world-renowned research, but students are able to begin working with researchers as early as their freshman year. The Sooner Family embodies compassion, honesty, fairness, and civility. No matter your interests, with over 400 organizations, amazing campus events, incredible athletics programs, and Sooners from all backgrounds, there's something here for you. Our main campus is very walkable, and we take a lot of pride in its beauty. About a year ago, OU launched “Lead On, University” – OU’s Strategic Plan for the Norman campus. This plan is created upon five overarching pillars that stem from OU’s core traditions of providing a world-class, affordable education; creating a welcoming place of belonging; and harnessing innovation and pathbreaking discoveries to advance society. About The University Libraries The University of Oklahoma Libraries’ team consists of 76 library and information professionals, 33 classified staff, as well as graduate and undergraduate assistants. Facilities include the Bizzell Memorial Library located in the heart of campus, Monnet Hall, hosting the Western History Collections, and three branch libraries: Architecture Library, Youngblood Energy Library, and Fine Arts Library. Affiliated OU libraries, not within the administrative oversight of University Libraries, include: the Donald E. Pray Law Library on the Norman campus, Robert M. Bird Health Sciences Library on the Oklahoma City campus, and the Schusterman Library on the Tulsa campus. The University of Oklahoma Libraries’ is the largest academic research library in the state of Oklahoma containing more than 5.4 million volumes (including 1.8 million eBooks), 3.6 million microform materials, over 300 databases, and 170,000 serials. Outstanding special collections include the History of Science Collections, with 100,000 volumes; the Western History Collections, with over 12,000 linear feet of manuscripts, 2 million photographs, 80,000 volumes, 2,700 sound recordings, 5,000 cartographic resources, and 580 works of art; the Harry W. Bass Business History Collections, with over 23,000 volumes; the John and Mary Nichols Rare Books and Special Collections, with over 12,000 volumes; and the Chinese Literature Translation Archive, which houses nearly 10,000 volumes and thousands of documents relating to translators of modern Chinese literature in the West. University Libraries is a member of the Association of Research Libraries, Center for Research Libraries, Coalition for Networked Information, Greater Western Libraries Alliance, Scholarly Publishing and Academic Resources, Council on Library and Information Resources, Digital Public Library of America, HathiTrust, Western Storage Trust, Library Publishing Coalition.  About The Position: Associate Dean for Special Research Collections The University of Oklahoma Libraries seeks to recruit an Associate Dean of Special Research Collections. Reporting to the Dean of University Libraries, the Associate Dean of Special Research Collections provides leadership, program development, and strategic vision for the University of Oklahoma Libraries’ special collections, comprised of manuscripts, rare books, maps, photographs, art, artifacts, audio, video, and digital collections.  The Associate Dean brings expert knowledge, a collaborative approach to institutional and extended partnerships, and dedication to the continued growth and impact of distinctive research collections and programming. The position demonstrates awareness and understanding about the changing nature of today’s research libraries and the mission implications for special research collections.  The position serves as a member of the Libraries’ senior leadership team by actively contributing to organizational strategy, planning, and resource development. Key Responsibilities  Leadership and Management

• Responsible for the leadership and administrative coordination of all special collection’s services, programs and personnel
• Manages, supports and develops personnel at a variety of levels, including faculty, professionals and staff, with a focus on creating exemplary distinctive research collections and extraordinary user experiences
• Develops partnerships with library and academic departments and campus entities, as well as state, regional, tribal, national, and international organizations
• Communicates complex issues and perspectives to a wide range of constituencies, including students, faculty, researchers and the public
• Articulates a compelling vision for the value of special research and archival collections in supporting knowledge creation, transformative teaching and learning, exhibition development, and broader community engagement
• Oversees collaborative projects and exhibits designed to showcase physical and digital special research collections and to enhance their use in a variety of areas
• Facilitates division participation in coordinated Libraries’ wide events and exhibitions programming, as well as inter-organizational and inter-institutional projects
• Participates in the study, justification, and planning for facilities enhancements

Collection Management and Preservation

• Enhances the discoverability, accessibility, and preservation of unique collections in conjunction with creating and implementing strategies for their physical and digital development
• Provides expertise in digital and physical preservation issues
• Applies concepts of metadata and intellectual control, EAD, and imaging in the context of special collections and archives
• Stays abreast of and utilizes new and emerging information and library technologies in special research collections and archives, including digital scholarship initiatives
• Applies professional theory and best practices in managing, collecting, organizing, and preserving special research collections and archives

Donor Development and Fundraising

• In consultation with the Dean of Libraries and institutional Advancement, develops and pursues external funding, including donations, in-kind gifts, and grant funding
• Promotes OU’s special research collections through formal presentations, special events, exhibits, written communications, and interpersonal relationships
• Serves as the primary public contact and spokesperson for OU Libraries’ special research collections.
• Builds and stewards donor relations

Professional, University & Administrative Involvement

• Participates in library and university committees and task forces related to primary job assignment as appropriate or assigned.
• Serves and participates at the local, state, regional, national, and international level in professional and scholarly associations as appropriate to position and experience.
• Maintains up-to-date professional knowledge and skills in areas related to primary job assignment by participating in appropriate professional development and continuing education activities in the library, on campus, and within the library profession.
• Contributes to the profession through presentations and publicatio

 Required Skills

• Master’s degree in library, Information, or Archival Sciences from an ALA-accredited program, museum studies, or another appropriate field
• Five years of work experience in a special collections, archival and/or museum setting, with three years of management and/or supervisory experience
• Ability to work in a changing, collegial, collaborative, and inclusive environment that values the benefits of diverse perspectives
• Experience with collaborative projects and exhibits designed to develop outreach opportunities for showcasing physical and digital special collections to enhance their use in a variety of arenas
• Demonstrated knowledge of metadata, and digital and physical preservation issues, in the context of special research collections and archives
• Excellent interpersonal, oral, written, and presentation communication skills
• Excellent organizational, time, and project management skills
• Experience developing, implementing, and assessing services and programs
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively
• A thorough knowledge of professional theory and best practices in managing, collecting, organizing, and preserving special research and archival collections.
• Knowledge of the rare book trade

 Preferences

• Advanced degree in a relevant field
• Experience developing partnerships with library and academic departments, campus entities, and state, regional, and national organizations
• Expertise in applying new and emerging information and library technologies to special collections and archives, including digital scholarship initiatives
• Demonstrated success in fundraising, including grant writing, grant management, and donor relations/cultivation

The University of Oklahoma and the University Libraries are dedicated to building and fostering a diverse, inclusive, and equitable educational and work environment. We seek to create an atmosphere in which diverse thought and experiences are valued and that promises opportunities to succeed and thrive. We recruit, employ, train, compensate and promote regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, genetic information, gender identity, gender expression, age, religion, disability, political beliefs, veteran status, and other protected status as required by applicable law.  Named an “Education Futurist” and recipient of a Campus Technology Innovators Award, the University of Oklahoma Libraries’ award-winning facilities and resources create opportunities for faculty and students to excel.  We invest in our organization by recruiting individuals committed to superior user experience and by actively strengthening and expanding our skills and capabilities. Applications, nominations, and inquiries of interest may be sent in confidence to the University’s executive recruitment consultant:

Chelsie Whitelock, Principal

Buffkin / Baker

OULibrary@buffkinbaker.com

 

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