Director of Public Services for Special Collections

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Closing Date:
04/21/2025
Type of Position:
Library

Workstudy Position:

No
Job Type:
Regular

Work Shift:

Sponsorship Available:

Yes
Institution Name:
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
Founded in 1871, the University of Arkansas is a land grant institution, classified by the Carnegie Foundation among the nation's top 2 percent of universities with the highest level of research activity. The University of Arkansas works to advance Arkansas and build a better world through education, research and outreach by providing transformational opportunities and skills, promoting an inclusive and diverse culture and climate, and nurturing creativity, discovery and the spread of new ideas and innovations.

The University of Arkansas campus is located in Fayetteville, a welcoming community ranked as one of the best places to live in the U.S. The growing region surrounding Fayetteville is home to numerous Fortune 500 companies and one of the nation's strongest economies. Northwest Arkansas is also quickly gaining a national reputation for its focus on the arts and overall quality of life.

As an employer, the University of Arkansas offers a vibrant work environment and a workplace culture that promotes a healthy work-life balance. The benefits package includes university contributions to health, dental, life and disability insurance, tuition waivers for employees and their families, 12 official holidays, immediate leave accrual, and a choice of retirement programs with university contributions ranging from 5 to 10% of employee salary.

Below you will find the details for the position including any supplementary documentation and questions, you should review before applying for the opening.

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Department:
Special Collections

Department's Website:

Summary of Job Duties:
This position is a tenure-track, twelve-month faculty appointment at the rank of Associate Librarian / Associate Professor or Librarian / Professor.

The University of Arkansas Libraries is seeking a highly collaborative and engaged leader to serve as Director of Public Services for Special Collections. The Director will lead public services for the Division, including supervising the faculty and staff that comprise the research services team and the Instruction and Outreach unit comprising four or more direct reports. Additional duties will include coordinating work with other Libraries' units, contributing to the Libraries' growing digital collections, coordinating Division events, and seeking grant-funded opportunities.

The successful candidate will join a Division deeply committed to and engaged with its communities on campus and throughout the State of Arkansas. Reporting to the Associate Dean of Special Collections, the Director is integral to achieving Special Collections' contributions to the land grant mission of the University through promoting access to robust archival, print, and digital collections for constituents on campus, throughout the state, and around the world. Service is core to the Division's work. Together, Division faculty librarians and staff acquire and make available for research manuscript and print collections highlighting Arkansas and regional history; university archives; internationally significant archives related to educational and cultural exchange; national and Arkansas political papers; notable cultural and creative archives, including architecture, music, and literature; and a growing rare books collection. Through classroom instruction, exhibitions, and service, the department ensures the stewardship and promotion of the historical record and rare materials for the University community and the public.

The Director will collaborate in strategic implementation of the University Libraries' priorities, including Division programs, services, and spaces. The Director facilitates collaborative relationship building within Special Collections, throughout the Libraries, and with community partners; coordinates Division participation in Libraries assessment programs; contributes to Division collection scope revision; and contributes to budget planning and management.

The ideal candidate will possess demonstrated leadership and coaching skills, outstanding written and oral communication skills, and analytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability to think strategically and embrace change-management strategies. Additional key attributes are a strong commitment to providing excellent customer service; demonstrated ability to interact successfully with a variety of constituents; demonstrated ability to work effectively and collaboratively to develop productive partnerships within and across complex organizations like the Libraries and University; focused attention to details, deadlines and goals; a working knowledge of statistics and statistical analysis; and familiarity with ongoing program assessment. Familiarity with modern collection management and research technologies is also essential for the Director position.

Responsibilities of this position include research, creative work, and service in keeping with the faculty requirements of the University of Arkansas. The successful candidate must have documented accomplishments commensurate with the criteria for appointment at the level of Associate Librarian / Associate Professor. A dossier will be required for appointment and hiring.

Relocation allowance available. Benefits include TIAA or Fidelity Investments, tuition reduction, and health insurance. Annual leave starts at 15 days per calendar year and increases with years of service.
Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Master's degree from an ALA-accredited program; or related advanced degree and ACA certification
• At least four (4) years of professional experience working in a cultural heritage institution with increasing management experience
• Demonstrated experience with archival and library standards and tools, such as EAD, MARC, LCSH, and DACS
• Demonstrated experience providing innovative public service, specifically reference and instruction
• Demonstrated experience with automated request and workflow management systems for patron services
• Experience with development and promotion of physical exhibits and outreach programming
• Experience with development and collaboration for publishing of digital collections

Preferred Qualifications:

• Working knowledge of budget processes
• Experience with grant writing and administration
• Experience in donor relations and cultivation
• Experience working with ArchivesSpace, Archivematica, AEON, Archive-It, or equivalent tools
• Working knowledge of digital repository systems and digital curation

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Track record of collaboration
• Extensive team building experience
• Experience working with donors
• Ability to advocate for the Division and its mission
• Experience in public speaking and event planning
• Experience with assessment and statistical analysis in an academic or library setting

Additional Information:

The University Libraries share in the stewardship of the University's goals and take responsibility for the health of the research and teaching collections and programs that further support the academic and land grant missions. The University Libraries are comprised of Mullins Library and three branch libraries: Chemistry & Biochemistry, Fine Arts, and Physics, as well as two off-site facilities. For more information, visit the Libraries' website:

The University of Arkansas Libraries aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas-an exchange that is best when the variety of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values. We can strengthen our organization and institution by approaching each other and our work with intentional goodwill, honesty, and trust as we encourage others to hold themselves and each other accountable to do the same.

Salary Information:

Minimum salary: $75,000 commensurate with education and experience

Required Documents to Apply:

Cover Letter/Letter of Application, Curriculum Vitae, List of three Professional References (name, email, business title)

Optional Documents:

Other (see special instructions for details), Proof of Veteran Status

Recruitment Contact Information:

Joshua Youngblood, Associate Dean of Special Collections,

All application materials must be uploaded to the University of Arkansas System Career Site

Please do not send to listed recruitment contact.

Special Instructions to Applicants:
When completing your application, please upload the following: letter of application highlighting education and experience related to the position qualifications, curriculum vitae, and a list of three current references (names, addresses, emails, and telephone numbers). Candidates who received international degrees in library and information science not accredited by ALA will need to submit the foreign credential evaluation determination.

Applicants are encouraged to think broadly about and communicate how their skills and experiences transfer to the qualifications listed below in ways that may not be obvious, including how non-library-specific skills and experiences speak to the position's qualifications and needs. We welcome applicants with a range of experiences, backgrounds, and interests to apply for this position.
Pre-employment Screening Requirements:
Criminal Background Check, Sex Offender Registry

The University of Arkansas is committed to providing a safe campus community. We conduct background checks for applicants being considered for employment. Background checks include a criminal background check and a sex offender registry check. For certain positions, there may also be a financial (credit) background check, a Motor Vehicle Registry (MVR) check, and/or drug screening. Required checks are identified in the position listing. A criminal conviction or arrest pending adjudication or adverse financial history information alone shall not disqualify an applicant in the absence of a relationship to the requirements of the position. Background check information will be used in a confidential, non-discriminatory manner consistent with state and federal law.

The University of Arkansas seeks to attract, develop and retain high quality faculty, staff and administrators that consistently display practices and behaviors to advance a culture that embeds inclusion, opportunity, educational excellence and unparalleled access for all.

The University of Arkansas is an equal opportunity institution. The University does not discriminate in its education programs or activities (including in admission and employment) on the basis of any category or status protected by law, including age, race, color, national origin, disability, religion, protected veteran status, military service, genetic information, sex, sexual preference, or pregnancy. Federal law prohibits the University from discriminating on these bases. Questions or concerns about the application of Title IX, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, may be sent to the University's Title IX Coordinator and to the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights.

Persons must have proof of legal authority to work in the United States on the first day of employment.

All application information is subject to public disclosure under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act.

Constant Physical Activity:
N/A
Frequent Physical Activity:
N/A
Occasional Physical Activity:
N/A
Benefits Eligible:
Yes

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