Dirctor of Public Services for Special Collections

Job Description

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