Director of Special Collections
Texas Christian University
Fort Worth, TX
Full-time
Accounting
Posted on April 1, 2024
Job Summary:
The Director Special Collections is responsible for administering the library's Special Collections by developing and promoting community access to the university's collection of archives, rare books, manuscripts, and digital collections; acquiring new collections; cultivating donors; supervising the department staff. Aligns collections, services, programs, and outreach.
Duties & Essential Job Functions:
1. Reports directly to the Dean and serves as part of the Library's administrative team; assists with planning, budgeting and personnel management for the department; sets policies and prioritizes goals and tasks efficiently; accomplishes staff results by recruiting and selecting staff; prioritizes, schedules, and assigns projects; monitors work results; reviews training needs and recommends measures to enable staff to maintain productivity; coaches staff; evaluates staff performance.
2. Establishes best practices for digitizing collections and manages digital assets including born digital materials; identifies and implements new methods of delivering departmental operations and services within a changing technological environment; coordinates projects for the department with library administration priorities; recommends digitization and archiving software as needed for rare books and archives material.
3. Develops, initiates and coordinates outreach for the library by publicizing, marketing and representing the library's collections and services to the university community and the public at large; works with the Friends of the Library; coordinates with Library Marketing, assists the Dean and University Advancement with donor relations; represents the library at regional and national meetings and conferences. Works directly with researchers using the collections, leads instructional sessions and develops presentations to showcase Special Collections.
4. Builds the department's collections by identifying collections of interest; assists the archivist in the transfer of electronic and hard copy records from administrative and academic departments and student organizations; evaluates and accepts gifts for the University. Manages collection preservation and oversees operations and access to collections by organizing and properly storing collections; produces and edits finding aids; applies standards-based maintenance measures to archival materials.
5. Seeks grant opportunities for collection growth and facility enrichment.
6. Contributes to the overall mission of the library by participating on library committees, task forces, and working groups; develops reports, attends meetings; collaborates effectively with colleagues in a team-based environment.
7. Demonstrates a commitment to customer service, diversity and inclusion, and an enthusiasm for identifying new opportunities to enhance library services and build partnerships across campus and within the community.
8. Performs other related duties as assigned.
Required Education & Experience:
• Master's Degree in Library Science (ALA Accredited) or advanced degree in a related field.
• 5 years of progressively responsible library experience including 2 years supervising employees.
• Background in academic library special collections.
• Prior experience with donor relations, public programming, event planning and grant funding.
Preferred Education & Experience:
• Second graduate degree.
• Working knowledge of a European language other than English.
• Prior teaching experience with primary material.
• Formal training and demonstrated experience in archival management.
• Demonstrated knowledge of best practices and applications in digital archives management
Required Licensure/Certification/Specialized Training:
• None
Preferred Licensure, Certification, and/or Specialized Training:
• Certification by the Academy of Certified Archivists.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
• Knowledge of archival and special collections operations including experience with digitization projects along with relevant technology and metadata standards such as ArchiveSpace, DSpace, XML, EAD, and Dublin Core.
• Knowledge of intellectual property issues related to special collections and archives.
• Knowledge of disaster preparedness and recovery planning.
• Knowledge of customer service techniques.
• Skill with Microsoft Office and library discovery tools.
• Ability to give effective presentations and skill in building interpersonal relationships.
• Ability to review and make recommendations to improve, streamline processes, and be in compliance with policies.
• Ability to train and lead staff.
TCU Core Competencies:
University Core Competencies definitions may be found on the Human Resources website and in the staff performance management system.
Physical Requirements (With or Without Accommodations):
• Visual acuity to read information from computer screens, forms and other printed materials and information.
• Able to speak (enunciate) clearly in conversation and general communication.
• Hearing ability for verbal communication/conversation/responses via telephone, telephone systems, and face-to-face interactions.
• Manual dexterity for typing, writing, standing and reaching, flexibility, body movement for bending, crouching, walking, kneeling and prolonged sitting.
• Lifting and moving objects and equipment up to 35 lbs.
Work Environment:
• Work is indoors and sedentary and is subject to schedule changes and/or variable work hours.
• This role is an on campus, in-person position.
• There are no harmful environmental conditions present for this job.
• The noise level in this work environment is usually moderate.
AA/EEO Statement:
As an AA/EEO employer, TCU recruits, hires, and promotes qualified persons in all job classifications without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ethnic origin, disability, genetic information, covered veteran status, or any other basis protected by law.
The Director Special Collections is responsible for administering the library's Special Collections by developing and promoting community access to the university's collection of archives, rare books, manuscripts, and digital collections; acquiring new collections; cultivating donors; supervising the department staff. Aligns collections, services, programs, and outreach.
Duties & Essential Job Functions:
1. Reports directly to the Dean and serves as part of the Library's administrative team; assists with planning, budgeting and personnel management for the department; sets policies and prioritizes goals and tasks efficiently; accomplishes staff results by recruiting and selecting staff; prioritizes, schedules, and assigns projects; monitors work results; reviews training needs and recommends measures to enable staff to maintain productivity; coaches staff; evaluates staff performance.
2. Establishes best practices for digitizing collections and manages digital assets including born digital materials; identifies and implements new methods of delivering departmental operations and services within a changing technological environment; coordinates projects for the department with library administration priorities; recommends digitization and archiving software as needed for rare books and archives material.
3. Develops, initiates and coordinates outreach for the library by publicizing, marketing and representing the library's collections and services to the university community and the public at large; works with the Friends of the Library; coordinates with Library Marketing, assists the Dean and University Advancement with donor relations; represents the library at regional and national meetings and conferences. Works directly with researchers using the collections, leads instructional sessions and develops presentations to showcase Special Collections.
4. Builds the department's collections by identifying collections of interest; assists the archivist in the transfer of electronic and hard copy records from administrative and academic departments and student organizations; evaluates and accepts gifts for the University. Manages collection preservation and oversees operations and access to collections by organizing and properly storing collections; produces and edits finding aids; applies standards-based maintenance measures to archival materials.
5. Seeks grant opportunities for collection growth and facility enrichment.
6. Contributes to the overall mission of the library by participating on library committees, task forces, and working groups; develops reports, attends meetings; collaborates effectively with colleagues in a team-based environment.
7. Demonstrates a commitment to customer service, diversity and inclusion, and an enthusiasm for identifying new opportunities to enhance library services and build partnerships across campus and within the community.
8. Performs other related duties as assigned.
Required Education & Experience:
• Master's Degree in Library Science (ALA Accredited) or advanced degree in a related field.
• 5 years of progressively responsible library experience including 2 years supervising employees.
• Background in academic library special collections.
• Prior experience with donor relations, public programming, event planning and grant funding.
Preferred Education & Experience:
• Second graduate degree.
• Working knowledge of a European language other than English.
• Prior teaching experience with primary material.
• Formal training and demonstrated experience in archival management.
• Demonstrated knowledge of best practices and applications in digital archives management
Required Licensure/Certification/Specialized Training:
• None
Preferred Licensure, Certification, and/or Specialized Training:
• Certification by the Academy of Certified Archivists.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
• Knowledge of archival and special collections operations including experience with digitization projects along with relevant technology and metadata standards such as ArchiveSpace, DSpace, XML, EAD, and Dublin Core.
• Knowledge of intellectual property issues related to special collections and archives.
• Knowledge of disaster preparedness and recovery planning.
• Knowledge of customer service techniques.
• Skill with Microsoft Office and library discovery tools.
• Ability to give effective presentations and skill in building interpersonal relationships.
• Ability to review and make recommendations to improve, streamline processes, and be in compliance with policies.
• Ability to train and lead staff.
TCU Core Competencies:
University Core Competencies definitions may be found on the Human Resources website and in the staff performance management system.
Physical Requirements (With or Without Accommodations):
• Visual acuity to read information from computer screens, forms and other printed materials and information.
• Able to speak (enunciate) clearly in conversation and general communication.
• Hearing ability for verbal communication/conversation/responses via telephone, telephone systems, and face-to-face interactions.
• Manual dexterity for typing, writing, standing and reaching, flexibility, body movement for bending, crouching, walking, kneeling and prolonged sitting.
• Lifting and moving objects and equipment up to 35 lbs.
Work Environment:
• Work is indoors and sedentary and is subject to schedule changes and/or variable work hours.
• This role is an on campus, in-person position.
• There are no harmful environmental conditions present for this job.
• The noise level in this work environment is usually moderate.
AA/EEO Statement:
As an AA/EEO employer, TCU recruits, hires, and promotes qualified persons in all job classifications without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ethnic origin, disability, genetic information, covered veteran status, or any other basis protected by law.
