Special Collections Curator (20th century - present)

Posting Details



Job # 037445 Department Code 20640-5435 Department SU Libraries Job Title Special Collections Curator (20th century - present) Location Syracuse, NY Pay Range Commensurate with Experience Staff Level S5 FLSA Status Exempt Hours
Standard University business hours

8:30am – 5:00pm (academic year)

8:00am – 4:30pm (summer)

Hours may vary based on operational needs. Job Type Full-time Campus Syracuse, NY Unionized Position Code Not Applicable Job Description
Reporting to the Lead Curator, the Curator (20th century-present) is charged with the continued development and interpretation of the collections of rare books, printed materials, manuscripts, media and digital archives. Among the Special Collections Research Centers ( SCRC ) collection strengths are: activism and social reform, architecture and industrial design, photography/photojournalism, history of recorded sound and broadcasting, science fiction, printing and publishing history and cartoons. Qualified candidates will possess extensive knowledge in at least one of these areas and demonstrate an interest and willingness to grow their knowledge and working experience in the other areas. The Curator will ensure collection development strategies are current. In order to achieve a more complete record and focus on diverse voices and life experiences, the curator will use a reparative framework to fill gaps in the record by seeking material and collecting evidence of individuals, groups, and events that are underrepresented in the collections. The Curator facilitates exhibitions, class presentations, and scholarly publication and communicates the vision and mission of the SCRC via engaging writing and public speaking. The Curator serves as an SCRC liaison to Syracuse University’s academic departments. Qualifications

• Accredited MLS with a special collections focus and an advanced degree in a relevant discipline or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• Minimum of three years working in an academic special collections or archives environment
• Minimum of two years teaching in an academic environment
• Willingness to travel to examine collections on offer and engage with dealers and potential donors
• Familiarity with the development and interpretation of special collections materials
• Evidence of or interest in scholarly publication and participation in professional and/or academic societies
• Familiarity with the rare book and manuscript trade
• Familiarity with collections care and security protocols within a special collections environment
• The ability to work well with others and perform in a team-oriented, collaborative environment

Job Specific Qualifications

• A strong understanding of scholarship, including the role of primary source materials in research, teaching, and learning
• Demonstrated experience working effectively with faculty and students
• proven ability to stimulate interest in printed materials as cultural artifacts and primary sources for research
• Strong commitment to providing high quality service in a collaborative, team environment to a diverse and inclusive campus and researcher community
• Ability to model the safe and secure handling of special collections materials
• Ability to provide careful and ethical stewardship for existing gifts and awards
• Commitment to a reparative framework in the collection areas
• Familiarity with conservation, preservation and collection management practices relating to special collections
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Passion for learning and working collaboratively with faculty and scholars
• Demonstrated service to the field and/or record of scholarly publications/presentations/exhibitions
• Experience supervising student employees and/or interns

Responsibilities
Education, Outreach & Visibility
Maximize student and faculty engagement with the SCRC’s holdings by creating and delivering interactive instructional sessions with the collections. Interpret and promote special collections through a program of exhibitions, events, scholarly research and publication. Actively engage in outreach to SU faculty and students, visiting researchers, and others to promote awareness and use of SCRC resources, services, programs, and initiatives. Participate in Libraries and university-wide initiatives that showcase special collections and the research use of such collections across the campus and in the academic community. Identify grant opportunities and work collaboratively to develop and submit proposals.

Collection Development
Participates on the SCRC Acquisitions Team, in the maintenance of SCRC collection development policies, the development of the collections and tracking of acquisitions decisions. Manages incoming donations and donation requests. Makes recommendations on new acquisitions in accordance with SCRC’s collecting goals and policies, including undertaking research for attribution, provenance, and faculty support of new materials. Assists with the cultivation of donor relationships and fundraising. Conducts a thorough and ongoing analysis of existing collection strengths and weaknesses, and consults with colleagues on processing, cataloging, preservation, and conservation priorities.

Contribute to the day-to-day work of the SCRC by serving on the reference desk, providing advanced reference assistance, and performing other duties as needed.

Engages in activities that contribute to the advancement of the Libraries, the university, and the library profession.

Maintains awareness of professional developments, issues, and practices through research and activities that increase one’s knowledge and abilities, and that positively impact one’s performance and service contributions.

Physical Requirements Tools/Equipment Application Instructions
In addition to completing an online application, please attach a resume and cover letter. About Syracuse University
Syracuse University is a private, international research university with distinctive academics, diversely unique offerings and an undeniable spirit. Located in the geographic heart of New York State, with a global footprint, and nearly 150 years of history, Syracuse University offers a quintessential college experience.

The scope of Syracuse University is a testament to its strengths: a pioneering history dating back to 1870; a choice of more than 200 majors and 100 minors offered through 13 schools and colleges; nearly 15,000 undergraduates and 5,000 graduate students; more than a quarter of a million alumni in 160 countries; and a student population from all 50 U.S. states and 123 countries. For more information, please visit www.syracuse.edu. About the Syracuse area
Syracuse is a medium-sized city situated in the geographic center of New York State approximately 250 miles northwest of New York City. The metro-area population totals approximately 500,000. The area offers a low cost of living and provides many social, cultural, and recreational options, including parks, museums, festivals, professional regional theater, and premier shopping venues. Syracuse and Central New York present a wide range of seasonal recreation and attractions ranging from water skiing and snow skiing, hiking in the Adirondacks, touring the historic sites, visiting wineries along the Finger Lakes, and biking on trails along the Erie Canal. EEOC
Syracuse University is an equal-opportunity, affirmative-action institution. The University prohibits discrimination and harassment based on race, color, creed, religion, sex, gender, national origin, citizenship, ethnicity, marital status, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law to the extent prohibited by law. This nondiscrimination policy covers admissions, employment, and access to and treatment in University programs, services, and activities. Commitment to Supporting and Hiring Veterans
Syracuse University has a long history of engaging veterans and the military-connected community through its educational programs, community outreach, and employment programs. After World War II, Syracuse University welcomed more than 10,000 returning veterans to our campus, and those veterans literally transformed Syracuse University into the national research institution it is today. The University’s contemporary commitment to veterans builds on this historical legacy, and extends to both class-leading initiatives focused on making an SU degree accessible and affordable to the post-9/11 generation of veterans, and also programs designed to position Syracuse University as the employer of choice for military veterans, members of the Guard and Reserve, and military family members. Commitment to a Diverse and Inclusive Campus Community
Syracuse University maintains an inclusive learning environment in which students, faculty, administrators, staff, curriculum, social activities, governance, and all other aspects of campus life reflect a diverse, multi-cultural, and international worldview. The University community recognizes and values the many similarities and differences among individuals and groups. At Syracuse, we are committed to preparing students to understand, live among, appreciate, and work in an inherently diverse country and world made up of people with different ethnic and racial backgrounds, military backgrounds, religious beliefs, socio-economic status, cultural traditions, abilities, sexual orientations and gender identities. To do so, we commit ourselves to promoting a community that celebrates and models the principles of diversity and inclusivity. Quick Link https://www.sujobopps.com/postings/88660 Job Posting Date 09/01/2021 Application Deadline Full Consideration By Job Category Staff Message to Applicants