Kansas Collection Curator

Job Title

Kansas Collection Curator

Department

Libraries-General

Primary Campus

University of Kansas Lawrence Campus

Job Description

PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES (70%)

• Builds relationships with social, business, and political communities and individuals across the state to develop the Kansas Collection resources through purchases, donations, and other types of acquisition.
• Partners with library and university colleagues to integrate original resources and perspectives from the regional history collections into classes across the KU curriculum, including primary source literacy and the history of the book.
• Works collaboratively with colleagues in processing and conservation to ensure the preservation and accessibility of collections.
• Shares in providing reference assistance to students, faculty, and the public, and consults on Kansas collection reference requests.
• Works collaboratively with colleagues across the Libraries to promote the collections through digital initiatives, social media, community events, K-12 outreach, tours, and other means.

RESEARCH (20%)

• Contributes to the profession’s collective knowledge by engaging in scholarly research activity.
• Research may involve the publication of articles, books, book reviews, grant-supported inquiry, or editorial work ( see Promotion and Tenure Procedures at KU, Spring 2017 ).

SERVICE (10%)

• Engages in service to the Libraries, the University and to professional organizations by participating in committee work, projects, and other contributory achievements.
• Represents KU Libraries in regional, national, and/or international professional organizations of relevance to higher education and academic libraries. Participates in regional, national, and/or international consortial collaborations.

Req ID(Ex: 10567BR)

23078BR

Disclaimer

The University of Kansas prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, ancestry, disability, status as a veteran, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information and retaliation in the University's programs and activities. Access to information regarding equal opportunity and diversity worksite posters is available at http://www.humanresources.ku.edu/policies_procedures/category_details/index.aspx?category=8 or you may contact 785-864-4946 or employ@ku.edu for alternate access options. Any inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies should be directed to: Executive Director of the Office of Institutional Opportunity and Access, IOA@ku.edu, 1246 W. Campus Road, Room 153A, Lawrence, KS, 66045, (785)864-6414, 711 TTY

Contact Information to Applicants

Mike Broadwell
mikebr@ku.edu

Position Number

00007200

Required Qualifications

1. ALA-accredited master’s degree in Library/Information Science or equivalent from a foreign institution by time of appointment. In the closely related, specialized field of archives, a graduate degree (may be master’s or Ph.D. depending on position requirements) in an appropriate field OR archival certification by the Academy of Certified Archivists may be considered for a recognized exception.
2. Three (3) years relevant experience in a library, museum, historical society, or similar environment.

Employee Class

F-Faculty

Advertised Salary Range

Minimum salary $54,000, final determination commensurate with experience

FTE

1.0

Preferred Qualifications

1. Fluency in Spanish.
2. Experience working with individuals and organizations donating materials.
3. Academic background in a relevant subject area such as American history, American Studies, or Kansas history.

Position Overview

KU Libraries seeks a curious, creative, and collaborative curator to lead the collection development, instruction, and outreach efforts of the Kansas Collection, in the Kenneth Spencer Research Library. The Kansas Collection documents the history and culture of everyday Kansans the from territorial period (1854-1861) to the present, with current emphases on the experiences of the African American and Hispanic and Latinx communities in the state. The curator will spearhead efforts to build collections reflecting the lives and experiences of all Kansans, and that support the teaching and research missions of the university. Reporting to the Director of the Spencer Library, the curator will be responsible for directing the development of the Kansas Collection, actively supporting the processing of materials, and for teaching and outreach programs in this regional history collection. The curator will coordinate the work of faculty who support the African American experience and the Hispanic and Latinx experience in community outreach and collection-building.

Work Schedule:
Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm, including a Saturday 9-1 rotation during the fall and spring semester

Applicants should be interested in building diverse collections and advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion, and belonging by engaging in instruction and outreach that includes audiences and materials that have been traditionally underserved by special collections libraries and archives. We are committed to supporting the curator with relevant professional development and training.

The University of Kansas Libraries support a safe and inclusive environment for all members of our diverse communities at KU. We are committed to building a diverse and pluralistic workforce and strongly encourage applications from diverse candidates. This position will demonstrate a commitment to advancing diversity efforts in the Libraries and contributes to an inclusive environment.

This is a full-time, 12-month, tenure-track faculty position. Rank considerations are based on professional performance, research, and service experience sufficient to qualify for appointment at the rank of Assistant Librarian or Associate Librarian.

See the Libraries Criteria for Academic Ranks document: http://policy.ku.edu/libraries/criteria-academic-ranks-library-faculty

Additional information about the Libraries promotion and tenure procedures can be found at the following website: http://policy.ku.edu/libraries/promotion-and-tenure-procedures-faculty-university-kansas-libraries

Reg/Temp

Regular

Application Review Begins

13-Sep-2022

Anticipated Start Date

17-Nov-2022

Additional Candidate Instruction

A complete online application includes:

1. Cover letter addressing how you meet the required and preferred qualifications.
2. Resume/CV.
3. Contact information for three professional references (including at least one previous or current supervisor).
4. Completion of the online application.

In addition to the materials above, learning about each applicant's contribution and engagement in areas of diversity is an important part of KU's mission. As a result, applicants will be presented the following question at the time of application. The response must be within 4,000 characters or less:

1. Describe your experiences working with people from diverse backgrounds, and explain how those experiences reflect your commitments to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

• Application review begins Tuesday, September 13, 2022. To ensure consideration, apply no later than Monday, September 12, 2022.

Unit

Distinctive Collections