Curator of Rare Books and Mississippiana - Assistant, Associate, or Full Professor

About the role

The Curator of Rare Books and Mississippiana will lead the development, stewardship, and long-term growth of the Rare Books and Mississippiana collections, including genealogy resources, historic newspapers, and microfilm collections. They will provide research consultations, instructional sessions, and reference services that connect students, faculty, visiting scholars, and community researchers with primary source materials. They will collaborate with faculty across disciplines to integrate rare books and special collections into teaching, learning, and original research. They will develop exhibitions, public programs, and outreach initiatives that broaden awareness and use of the collections.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development, stewardship, and long-term growth of the Rare Books and Mississippiana collections, including genealogy resources, historic newspapers, and microfilm collections.
• Provide research consultations, instructional sessions, and reference services that connect students, faculty, visiting scholars, and community researchers with primary source materials.
• Collaborate with faculty across disciplines to integrate rare books and special collections into teaching, learning, and original research.
• Develop exhibitions, public programs, and outreach initiatives that broaden awareness and use of the collections.
• Oversee collection management activities, including acquisition, preservation, description, access, and responsible deaccessioning.
• Supervise graduate assistants, student employees, interns, and volunteers.
• Collaborate with colleagues across the Libraries to advance digital scholarship, public engagement, and research support initiatives.
• Maintain an active program of scholarship and professional service consistent with a tenure-track faculty appointment.
• Contribute to the delivery of high-quality public services by participating in the Archives and Special Collections Reading Room back up service rotation.

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications:

• A Master's degree in library and information studies or doctoral degree in museum studies, public history, or a related field.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Teaching experience,
• Experience with exhibits,
• Experience supervising students and volunteers.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of best practices and professional standards for the curation of rare books and archival materials (care/handling, cataloging, preservation, etc.).
• Excellent communication skills (oral/written/interpersonal).
• Project management skills (organizing/planning/prioritizing/problem solving).
• Able to meet promotion and tenure requirements as a library faculty member.
• Knowledge of the history of the book, print as material culture, and/or Mississippi history.
• Knowledge of book cataloging standards, best practices, and software (MARC, etc.).
• Knowledge of book preservation and stack maintenance standards.

Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of best practices and professional standards for the curation of rare books and archival materials (care/handling, cataloging, preservation, etc.).
• Must be detail oriented and have excellent communication skills (oral/written/interpersonal).
• Must have project management skills (organizing/planning/prioritizing/problem solving).
• Must be able to work well with deadlines; work independently; and work collaboratively with diverse colleagues and stakeholders.
• Ability to meet promotion and tenure requirements as a library faculty member.
• Knowledge of the history of the book, print as material culture, and/or Mississippi history.
• Knowledge of book cataloging standards, best practices, and software (MARC, etc.).
• Knowledge of book preservation and stack maintenance standards.