Please copy and circulate the following announcement.
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Richard W. Clement
Special Collections Librarian
Department of Special Collections
Kenneth Spencer Research Library
University of Kansas
Lawrence, KS 66045
785-864-4217; fax 864-5803
rclement@ukans.edu
http://www.ukans.edu/~spencer/
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Assistant Special Collections Librarian (Manuscripts)
Kenneth Spencer Research Library
The University of Kansas Libraries
Lawrence, Kansas
(http://www.lib.ukans.edu)
The University of Kansas Libraries seeks a manuscript specialist to oversee
and coordinate the processing and interpretation to readers of the large and
varied manuscript collections (from the Middle Ages to the 20th century)
held in the Department of Special Collections of the Kenneth Spencer
Research Library (KSRL), in coordination with staff in the Kansas Collection
and University Archives. Beyond the necessary emphasis on manuscript
collections, the successful candidate may also be responsible for some
related professional duties in the Department of Special Collections, among
these collection development, mounting of exhibitions, and offering
reference service and instruction.
The Kenneth Spencer Research Library is the University's rare books,
manuscripts, regional history and archival repository, with a total staff of
21 FTE, not including student assistants. In addition to the Department of
Special Collections, the Spencer Research Library also houses the University
Archives, which is the official repository for records of the University,
and the Kansas Collection, which documents the history and culture of Kansas
and the Great Plains. The Robert J. Dole Archive, currently housed in
Spencer Research Library, will move to a new location within the next
two-three years.
Rare book and manuscript holdings in the Department of Special Collections
include over 200,000 printed books and approximately 500,000 manuscripts, as
well as historical maps and scientific illustrations. The collections are
particularly strong in medieval and Renaissance studies, economic and legal
history, eighteenth-century France and England, Anglo-Irish culture, natural
history, exploration and travel, and various minor literary genres. Major
collections focus on the 16th through 17th century in Europe (particularly
Spanish, French and Italian imprints), 16th-19th century natural history
(with notable strength in ornithology, botany and taxonomy, and Linnaeana),
18th-century British studies (particularly Edmund Curll, the Bond Collection
of newspapers and periodicals, political and economic history, and various
literary figures), the Pre Raphaelite Brotherhood, Tennyson, and W. B.
Yeats. Other strengths are medieval text manuscripts, the French
Revolution, early Polonica, Frank Lloyd Wright, post-World War II poetry,
and science fiction.
RESPONSIBILITIES: Participates in the development of the manuscripts
processing team. Leads the team in arranging, describing, and making
available large and varied collections of manuscripts for research, both
locally and via the web; works closely with the Libraries' subject
specialists. Depending on qualifications and expertise may have collection
development responsibilities. Participates in reference and instruction.
Engages in professional service and scholarly activities. Reports to the
Special Collections Librarian.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS: Master's degree from an ALA-accredited program.
(Note: Candidates who are presently enrolled in a Master's degree program
in library and information science, accredited by the American Library
Association, may apply for this position. Degree completion will be
required within three years of appointment.) Academic background in the
humanities and a minimum of one year's professional experience in a rare
books and/or manuscripts library. Ability to read handwritten materials
dating from the Middle Ages to present. Familiarity with archival
principles and procedures. Demonstrated supervisory experience and ability
to manage a complex processing operation. Strong oral, written and
interpersonal communication skills. Ability to work independently and as a
member of a team. Evidence of initiative, creativity, and resourcefulness
in past activities. Strong service orientation. Strong planning and
organizational skills. Commitment to professional and scholarly
development. Proficiency in at least one Western European language in
addition to English.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: advanced degree in a field appropriate to the
collection. Work experience in a rare books/manuscripts library, preferably
as a processor/cataloger working with the MARC format. Experience in
archival description (MARC AMC, EAD and/or other emerging and innovative
approaches). Proficiency in German and/or Spanish. Knowledge of Latin.
Experience with online library systems, particularly Endeavor.
TYPE OF APPOINTMENT: Full-time, twelve-month, tenure-track appointment,
available as soon as possible.
SALARY RANGE: $32,000-$42,000, dependent upon qualifications
BENEFITS: 22 days vacation and 12 days sick leave per year; several paid
holidays; group health and life insurance options; choice of four retirement
programs; eligibility for sabbatical leave.
APPLICATION DEADLINE & PROCEDURES: Review of applications will begin
October 9, 2000. Applications will be accepted until the position is
filled. To apply, submit letter of application addressing the qualifications
for the position; resume; copies graduate transcripts; and names, addresses,
telephone numbers and e-mail addresses of three references to:
Sandra K. Gilliland, Assistant to the Dean
University of Kansas Libraries
Lawrence, KS 66045-2800
Phone: (785) 864-8922; Fax (785) 864-5311; e-mail: sgilliland@ukans.edu
TERMS OF APPOINTMENT: Librarians at the University of Kansas are members of
the University faculty and are appointed to the ranks of Librarian I,
Librarian II, or Librarian III, dependent on professional experience in the
field of librarianship. Librarians participate in the Library Faculty
Assembly and are members of the University Faculty Council. Librarians are
evaluated annually first and foremost on the performance of professional
responsibilities. In addition, librarians are expected to participate in,
and are evaluated on, professional service and research. [Note: the
successful candidate lacking a completed Master's degree in library/
information Science will have three years in which to complete the degree.
The title of "Acting" will be included in the successful candidate's title.
Time spent in the acting appointment will be credited toward tenure review.]
ENVIRONMENT: The University Libraries constitute a major academic and
research resource supporting approximately 25,000 students and 1,300
faculty. The University is located in Lawrence, a diverse community of more
than 75,000 set in the rolling hills of northeast Kansas, 40 miles from
Kansas City. Lawrence and KU offer a wide range of cultural and recreational
activities, and the Libraries play a vital role in the intellectual life of
the community. The Libraries' collections comprise approximately 3.3 million
volumes and 27,000 current serial titles, housed in seven library facilities
in Lawrence and one library in suburban Kansas City. The Libraries have a
budget of $14 million and a staff of 71 library faculty and professional
staff, 76 paraprofessionals, and 80 FTE of student workers. The University
of Kansas is a founding member of the Association of Research Libraries, the
Center for Research Libraries, the Big 12 Plus Library Consortium, and the
Kansas Digital Library, and is a member of OCLC.
The Kenneth Spencer Research Library was built in the late 1960s, the gift
of the late Helen Foresman Spencer in memory of her husband, specifically to
meet the needs of rare books, manuscripts, archives and their users. This
freestanding building occupies 100,000 sq. ft. of space, on four floors, at
the center of the campus.
Additional information about the University and the Libraries can be found
at http://www.ukans.edu and http://www.lib.ukans.edu.
The University of Kansas is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action
Employer. The University encourages applications from underrepresented group
members. Federal and state legislation prohibits discrimination on the basis
of race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, disability,
and veteran status. In addition, University policies prohibit discrimination
on the basis of sexual orientation, marital status, and parental status.