Asst. Librarian, Special Collections

Founded in 1926, the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation is a private, not-for-profit educational, historic, and cultural institution that owns and operates one of the largest and best-known museum complexes in the world. Our mission is “that the future may learn from the past” through preserving and restoring 18th-century Williamsburg, Virginia’s colonial capital. We engage, inform, and inspire people to learn about this historic capital, the events that occurred here, and the diverse peoples who helped shape a new nation.

About the Role

Provide general and specialized reference and access to Special Collections, including rare books and manuscripts. Serves as backup for providing access to Visual Resources Collection. Prepare and deliver specialized special collections displays and instruction sessions for visitors including students, donors, Teacher Institute participants, and other guests. Develop Special Collections through purchases and gifts of rare books, manuscripts, newspapers, etc. in alignment with library’s collection development policy. With Senior Librarian for Special Collections, ensure the safety, security, and longevity of Special Collections through space planning, and participation in library-wide collections emergency, collections management, and collection development policies.

Responsibilities

• Provides general and specialized reference and access to Special Collections, including rare books and manuscripts.
• Serves as backup for providing access to Visual Resources Collection.
• Prepares and delivers specialized special collections displays and instruction sessions for visitors including students, donors, Teacher Institute participants, and other guests.
• Develops Special Collections exhibitions for library gallery.
• Promotes Special Collections through writing, lectures, and social media.
• Serves as library’s social media liaison.
• Develops Special Collections through purchases and gifts of rare books, manuscripts, newspapers, etc. in alignment with library’s collection development policy and in consultation with Executive Director and Senior Librarian for Special Collections.
• Ensures the safety, security, and longevity of Special Collections through space planning, and participation in library-wide collections emergency, collections management, and collection development policies.
• Catalogs rare books, manuscripts, newspapers, and maps in the integrated library system, OCLC, TMS, and Orange Logic.
• Identifies and prioritizes the conservation needs of Special Collections and coordinates treatment of items with internal and external conservators.
• Advances digital access, data preservation, and the use of emerging technologies, including AI-driven approaches to archival discovery and use.
• Assists Sr. Librarian for Special Collections with requests for reproduction and permission to publish for images, including reference service, publication contracts, clearances for image use, processing orders and invoices, coordinating activities with the Media Collections and Museum Collections Studio, invoicing, and copyright.

Requirements

• MS Library Science (MLS)/Master of Library Information Science (MLIS) from an American Library Association (ALA)-accredited program.
• One or more years of progressively responsible professional experience in a special collections environment, including knowledge of the antiquarian materials trade and experience developing and delivering instructional sessions with primary sources.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in American history, art history, or other subject related to the mission of The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation.
• Specialization in rare books and manuscripts is highly preferred.
• Ability to articulate vision for the value of special collections to learning, research, teaching, and broad community engagement to Colonial Williamsburg Foundation staff and external stakeholders.
• Demonstrated written and oral communication skills along with ability to promote a positive team environment.
• Experience working with Ex Libris Alma and Primo, OCLC Connexion, Virginia Heritage Project, Orange Logic, From the Page, TMS, and Omeka, or comparable systems.

Skills

• Knowledge of libraries and special collections.
• Strong communication skills in writing and with groups and colleagues.

Physical and Environmental Demands

• Stand: Frequently (2-5 hrs/shift)
• Walk: Frequently (2-5 hrs/shift)
• Sit: Frequently (2-5 hrs/shift)
• Use hands/fingers: Constantly (5-8 hrs/shift)
• Climb or balance: Constantly (5-8 hrs/shift)
• Stoop/kneel/crouch/crawl: Rarely (does not exist as regular part of the job)
• Reach with hands/arms: Frequently (2-5 hrs/shift)
• Talk or hear: Constantly (5-8 hrs/shift)
• Lifting up to 10 lbs: Frequently (2-5 hrs/shift)
• Lifting up to 25 lbs: Occasionally (up to 2 hrs/shift)
• Lifting up to 50 lbs (with assistance): Rarely (does not exist as regular part of the job)
• Lifting up to 100 lbs (with assistance): Rarely (does not exist as regular part of the job)
• More than 100 lbs (with assistance): Rarely (does not exist as regular part of the job)
• Wet/humid conditions: Rarely (does not exist as regular part of the job)
• Work near moving mechanical parts: Rarely (does not exist as regular part of the job)
• Fumes/airborne particles: Occasionally (up to 2 hrs/shift)
• Extreme cold: Rarely (does not exist as regular part of the job)
• Extreme heat: Rarely (does not exist as regular part of the job)
• Risk of electrical shock: Rarely (does not exist as regular part of the job)
• Travel: 25%

Schedule

Regular/Full-Time, 40 hours per week.

Pay

Range: $51,300 to $76,900.