Sender: Rare book and manuscripts <EXLIBRIS-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
I am posting this by request. It is a revision of a former
nnouncement. --ECW
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George A. Smathers Libraries
422 Library West
Support Services Division
PO Box 117001
Human Resources Department
Gainesville, FL 32611-7001
352-273-2595
352-392-4538 Fax
www.uflib.ufl.edu/pers/
POSITION VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT
POSITION TITLE: Chair, Department of Special and Area Studies
Collections
RANK : Associate University Librarian/University
Librarian
SALARY: $75,000 minimum; salary is commensurate with
education and experience
REPORTS TO: Director for Collections
REQUISITION #: 0700062
DEADLINE DATE: Search will remain open until the position is filled.
Applicant submissions will be reviewed beginning February 15, 2007
Please note that this posting has specific instructions for the submission
of application materials (see below: APPLICATION PROCESS). Failure to
submit all of the required documents as instructed, may result in your
application not being considered.
JOB SUMMARY:
The George A. Smathers Libraries at the University of Florida is seeking a
visionary, innovative, energetic, and creative librarian to lead the
programs of the Department of Special and Area Studies Collections. The
Department includes Rare Books, Manuscripts, University Archives, and
several named subject collections as well as African Studies, Asian Studies,
Jewish Studies, and Latin American Studies. See:
http://web.uflib.ufl.edu/spec/.
Reporting to the Director for Collections, this position provides leadership
for all aspects of special and area studies collections including collection
development; reference, instruction, and outreach services; organization,
maintenance, and preservation of collections; space management, staff
management and supervision; and the collaborative development of digital
library initiatives. The Chair works collaboratively with library colleagues
to assess strengths and weaknesses in the various collections, to determine
priorities, to establish policy, and to develop departmental service plans
that enhance and support the academic mission of the University. The Chair
may assume responsibility for developing, managing, and providing public
services for a specific special collection.
The Chair actively pursues development opportunities in both the public and
private sectors and serves as secretary and treasurer of the Howe Society (a
development group for the Department). The Chair will be a member of the
Libraries' management team (Library Council), sharing responsibility for the
overall strategic direction of the University Libraries. The ability to
publicize and expand awareness and use of the special collections, locally
and nationally, is critical to success in this position. The Chair will
actively contribute to public service activities, and guide the
publications, exhibitions, and public programming sponsored by the
Department. The Chair serves on appropriate University and Library
committees and pursues scholarly research and writing in areas of
specialization.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
· Works with faculty and staff to define needs, set priorities, develop
policies, and establish goals, objectives, strategic plans, and budgets to
ensure effective management and development of the collections. Keeps
abreast of national developments in the administration of academic research
collections, especially special collections and area studies collections.
· Organizes collection management efforts, monitors collection development
decisions, and allocates available collection management funds in support of
the collections. May assume collection management responsibility in a
specific area.
· Works with Department staff to identify and prioritize areas for which
external support is needed; works closely with the Libraries' Development
Office (Development Officers and Public Information Officer) to organize
fundraising and donor relations activities; provides leadership and/or
assistance with the identification, cultivation and solicitation of
potential donors; coordinates departmental participation in library
development efforts; and serves as permanent secretary/treasurer of the Howe
Society, a support group for the department
(http://web.uflib.ufl.edu/spec/howesoc/howesoc.htm).
· Advances scholarship and access through digitization of unique holdings,
online finding aids, and other initiatives.
· Collaborates with internal library partners such as the Digital Library
Center and the Collections Management Department on projects of shared
interest and mutual benefit.
· Organizes the department's publications program to ensure availability of
necessary finding aids, exhibit catalogs, and guides to the collections.
Oversees the development and publication of general reports that inform the
academic community and public about developments in the Special and Area
Studies Collections.
· Organizes and coordinates departmental initiatives for public programs
and exhibit series, advanced reference services, bibliographic instruction,
and automated data retrieval services.
· Organizes and maintains a systematic program of regular contact with
appropriate academic and library faculty, and benefactors. Keeps informed
on the development of academic programs to ensure that the department's
collection management, public service, technical service, and development
programs support University curriculum and research needs. Informs
clientele about relevant library issues.
· Develops and encourages activities to promote the use of special
collections and archives by the university community and beyond through
exhibits, user education, and other outreach and educational efforts.
· Participates actively in the cooperative management of the Libraries
through service on the Library Council (library directors/administration and
the chairs of departments), the Collections Management Group and other
library consultative bodies. Participates in University of Florida
committees as appropriate.
· Pursues research and development projects benefiting the department;
conducts research in subject areas relevant to the holdings in Special and
Area Studies Collections, or in fields of specialization, and publishes
results.
· Analyzes department programs; reports on accomplishments, creates
strategies for improvements in quality of services and defines resource
needs.
· Fosters an atmosphere of collegiality and innovation.
· Represents the library in appropriate university, local, state, regional,
and national bodies.
· Implements the Affirmative Action program of the University of Florida
within the department.
Minimum Qualifications:
· An MLS/MLIS, or equivalent.
· An advanced degree in a subject relating to one or more of the major
collections within Special and Area Studies Collections.
· Five years of progressively responsible library and/or administrative
experience.
· Experience with fundraising and cultivating successful donor
relationships.
· Excellent interpersonal and organizational skills as evidenced by
successful collaborative work.
· Commitment to user-centered public services as demonstrated by public
programming, user education, and other community outreach activities.
Preferred qualifications:
· The candidate must demonstrate leadership and interpersonal skills;
excellent verbal, written, and planning skills; and an enthusiasm for the
substance of learning.
· Administrative experience in managing departmental teams of faculty and
support staff.
· Capacity to provide leadership in an environment of change.
· Progressive record of professional service and scholarly/creative
accomplishments such as funded grant proposals or publishing.
· Experience in developing effective support groups.
· Demonstrated ability to work in a university community and to view issues
from a library-wide perspective.
· Commitment to staff development and cross department collaboration and
communication.
· Knowledge of issues, trends, principles and practices in special
collections including collection security, preservation, and electronic
records management.
· Familiarity with the history of books and printing and the antiquarian
book trade.
· Demonstrated knowledge of digitization practices and technological
applications related to special collections management and access.
In general, we are looking for an individual who has the following
characteristics: flexible, self motivated, organized, approachable and
outgoing, creative, team player/participant, inclusive, consensus builder -
diplomatic, leadership skills, communicative, adept at solving problems,
proactive.
The University of Florida
The University of Florida is a large, land grant, public educational
research institution with a faculty of approximately 4,000 and a student
body of 48,000. It ranks third nationally in size of student body and
eighth nationally in the number of merit scholars enrolled in the freshmen
class. The University is a member of the Association of American
Universities and offers the Ph.D. in more than 90 fields and the Master's
degree in more than 120 fields. For more information please consult the UF
homepage at http://www.ufl.edu.
The University of Florida Libraries is a member of the Association of
Research Libraries, the Center for Research Libraries, the Research
Libraries Group, and SOLINET. The library staff consists of more than 400
FTE librarians, technical/clerical staff and student assistants. For more
information about the Libraries, please visit http://www.uflib.ufl.edu.
Information on a University level Future of the Library Committee, including
the recently completed report to the Provost, can be found at
http://www.aa.ufl.edu/search%5Fcommittees/futureofthelibrary/
Special and Area Studies Collections encompasses two units: the Area Studies
Collections and the Special Collections of the University of Florida.
The Area Studies Collections are the Latin American Collection; the Africana
and the Asian Studies collections; and the Price Library of Judaica.
Special Collections include Baldwin Library of Historical Children's
Literature, the Belknap Collection for the Performing Arts, the P.K. Yonge
Library of Florida History, the General Manuscript Collection, the Rare Book
Collection, and the University Archives.
Benefits:
Twenty-two vacation days, nine paid holidays, and thirteen days sick leave
annually; retirement plan options; insurance benefits; tuition fee waiver
program; no state or local income tax.
Application Process:
The University of Florida is an equal opportunity employer and is strongly
committed to the diversity of our faculty and staff. Applicants from a broad
spectrum of people, including members of ethnic minorities and disabled
persons, are especially encouraged to apply. As part of the application
process, applicants are invited to complete an on-line confidential and
voluntary demographic self-disclosure form which can be found at:
http://www.hr.ufl.edu/job/datacard.htm. This information is collected by the
University of Florida's Faculty Development Office to track applicant trends
and is in no way considered by the Smathers Libraries in the selection
process.
Please reply by e-mail. Send, as attachments (MS-Word format preferred), a
cover letter explaining your interest and qualifications, resume and list of
three references. Include address, telephone and email information for
references. Please include a 250-word essay on the topic "Developing
collections and services of Special and Area Studies Collections to enhance
and support academic programs." Successful candidates will offer a formal
presentation on this topic. The search will remain open until the position
is filled. Applications will be reviewed beginning February 15, 2007. All
inquiries and submissions of required application materials should be sent
to Brian Keith, Smathers Libraries Human Resources Officer, at:
brikeit@uflib.ufl.edu.