NOTE: University of Iowa Libraries has expressly engaged Jack Farrell & Associates (www.jackfarrell.com) to find the winning candidate for this important position. Interested parties should contact Amy Morse (amy@jackfarrell.com). Thank you. 

 

The University of Iowa (UI), a Research 1 institution and the flagship institution for the state, is seeking a highly collaborative, creative, and strategic leader for the position of Associate University Librarian (AUL) for Distinctive Collections (DC) within the University Libraries. The AUL for DC will have primary responsibility for providing leadership, vision, and strategic direction for the units that process, teach, exhibit, and conserve the unique and rare materials held by the UI Libraries including manuscripts, rare books, art, architectural, music, and other special collections and archives.

 

The position is based in Iowa City, Iowa, and relocation assistance is available to the winning candidate. Learn more about the city and region here: https://thinkiowacity.com/plan-your-trip/living-here/

 

Reporting to the Jack B. King University Librarian, the AUL for DC is a senior academic leader in the UI Libraries and a key member of the Executive Leadership Team, working collaboratively to advance the Libraries’ mission and strategic plan to achieve goals and initiatives of the organization. The Distinctive Collections portfolio consists of approximately 35 full-time employees in the following units:

• Art Library
• Conservation and Collections Care
• Rita Benton Music Library
• Special Collections and Archives
• Exhibitions and Engagement

 

The UI Libraries’ extensive collection encompasses a diverse array of topics, ranging from the English Romantics and pivotal events of the Civil War to the vibrant tapestry of life on the Iowa campus. You will also encounter extensive avant-garde movement material including Dada, and vaudeville artists. Its archives also delve into contemporary subjects, including screenwriting, politics, science fiction, and the intricate world of book arts.

The UI Libraries Conservation Lab, founded in 1984, partners closely with the UI Center for the Book and is a resource for the campus and the state. The lab was renovated in 2012, houses an historic bookbinding model collection in its adjacent classroom, and is highly regarded nationally as a teaching lab for the studies of book arts conservation.

Iowa is a major research university also famous for its arts programs. The Art Library is an important resource for artists, designers, and scholars. As the birthplace of the Master of Fine Arts degree, there is a strong legacy of creative arts at the university. Similarly, the Rita Benton Music Library and its Arthur and Miriam Canter Rare Book Room provides access to historical and contemporary scores, recordings, and other research materials to a vibrant community of musicians and performers.

Key Areas of Responsibilities and Specific Job Tasks

• Leads the Distinctive Collections portfolio in developing strategic directions, implementing efficient and effective operations, and assessing service quality.
• Is a member of the Libraries’ Executive Team and collaborates with other Associate University Librarians in organization-wide planning, policy development, resource allocation, and staff management.
• Builds partnerships with other departments and units throughout the Libraries and UI.
• Collaborates with campus GLAM (galleries, libraries, archives, museums) to enhance the culture and lifestyle of students, staff, faculty, and the greater community, as well as to identify opportunities for high impact, object-based learning.
• Oversees a variety of educational public programs, such as symposia, lectures, and exhibitions that showcase and broaden the curricular and scholarly use of the university’s unique and distinctive collections.
• Engages in advocacy activities and represents the Libraries with other library administrators, campus partners, Iowa Board of Regents, Big Ten Academic Alliance (BTAA) institutions, and other member-based organizations, such as HathiTrust.
• Engages in growing philanthropic support to enhance collections, services, and outreach in partnership with curators, archivists, and the Libraries Advancement Council.
• Fosters and sustains a workplace environment that embraces the Libraries’ stated values of service, collaboration, integrity, creativity, openness, diversity, stewardship, and respect.
• Displays and exemplifies attributes of a model leader and responsible for developing leadership skills in others.
• Maintains and stays abreast of up-to-date job skills or professional standards. Stays informed about innovations, trends, and developments. Skilled in mentoring staff in their continuous learning and skill development.
• Actively participates in and demonstrates visibility in relevant professional associations; demonstrates advanced professional activity and engagement and fosters career development of professional staff within the portfolio.
• Demonstrates a commitment to services by actively participating in and/or leading communities or teams within the UI Libraries, on campus, and/or in the profession.

 

 

Required Qualifications: 

• Master’s degree from an American Libraries Association (ALA) accredited program or other appropriate advanced degree.
• A minimum of seven years of relevant experience, including at least four years managerial and leadership experience in an academic or research library.
• Evidence of progressively increasing leadership, supervisory, or managerial responsibility.
• Demonstrated understanding of the role of special and distinctive collections and archives in an academic library setting and the unique challenges in collecting and curating those materials.
• Demonstrated experience in strategic planning and implementation.
• Demonstrated understanding of current and emerging trends, issues, workflow, standards, and best practices in the management of distinctive collections, both circulating and non-circulating, with a strong commitment to user-centered design of services and collections.
• Experience working with donors and developing external funding opportunities. Knowledge of regulations and compliance requirements for non-cash gifts and sponsored programs.
• Demonstrated ability to work successfully in a collaborative management environment and to function effectively as a member of a leadership team.
• Demonstrated job-related experience with fostering a welcoming and respectful work environment for people from all types of backgrounds.
• Ability to establish and sustain effective working relationships and proven effective interpersonal, verbal, and written communications skills.

 

Desirable Qualifications: 

• National or international reputation in archives, area studies, or special collections librarianship.
• Experience working with community stakeholder groups and community advisory committees.
• Demonstrated success in writing and administering grants.
• Knowledge of and/or experience with:
  • Archival best practices, principles, and current trends OR
  • Creative and performing arts or art librarianship OR
  • Managing or supporting a branch library
• Familiarity with accepted preservation methodologies including both analog and digital materials.
• Familiarity with exhibit curation and design of both physical and digital exhibitions.
• Familiarity with born-digital and digital archive collections.

 

 

how to apply

The University of Iowa Libraries has exclusively retained Jack Farrell & Associates (www.jackfarrell.com) to find the successful candidate for this position. Interested candidates should provide a CV and cover letter by email to Amy Morse (amy@jackfarrell.com) by October 1, 2024, for best consideration.

 

The cover letter should address:

1) Why are you interested in this position?;

2) How do you meet all the required qualifications?, and

3) Describe your vision for the future of distinctive collections in research libraries, including opportunities and challenges on the horizon.

 

Successful candidates will be required to self-disclose any conviction history and will be subject to a criminal background check and credential/education verification.  Up to 5 professional references will be requested at a later step in the recruitment process.

For additional questions, please contact Amy Morse at amy@jackfarrell.com.

 

The University of Iowa is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment free from discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth and related conditions), disability, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, service in the U.S. military, sexual orientation, gender identity, or associational preferences.

 

Persons with disabilities who need assistance or accommodations with the application or interview process may contact University Human Resources/Faculty and Staff Disability Services, (319) 335-2660 or fsds@uiowa.edu.