These jobs are posted as a service to archivists in New England.
Manager, Historical and Special Collections, Harvard Law School Library
Duties & Responsibilities:
The Historical & Special Collections Unit (HSC) houses one of the world's most comprehensive collections of research materials for the study of legal history and is housed within the largest academic law library in North America. In keeping with the Library's mission to support the teaching and research programs of the Harvard Law School, Historical & Special Collections collects, catalogs, preserves, promotes and provides access to printed materials, manuscripts, and visual materials that document the history of the law in general and that of the Harvard Law School in particular. The Manager, Historical and Special Collections provides leadership, and strategic direction for the department's operations, services and resources. As part of this responsibility, the Manager sets priorities, supervises staff and establishes work flows for all areas of Historical & Special Collections.
Manages and coordinates the work of three areas with HSC: Rare Books and Early Manuscripts, Modern Manuscripts, and the Art and Visual Collections; hires, trains and supervises 2 exempt and 3 non-exempt staff; establishes goals, sets priorities and develops long range plans for HSC. Establishes, interprets and implements programs, policies and procedures relating to rare books and early manuscripts; establishes work flow and procedures for access to, reproduction of and processing of the Art and Visual Collections. Has primary curatorial responsibility for the 250,000 volume rare books and early manuscript collection, including recommendations on and coordination of preservation and conservation treatment. Manages selection of materials, with an emphasis on rare books and early manuscripts; coordinates modern manuscript selection with the Curator of Modern Manuscripts; prepares collection development plans, building on areas of strength and in areas in which HLSL has interest in building research collections; in coordination with the Associate Director for Discovery and Access, manages the materials budget allocated for rare books and manuscripts. Provides advanced reference service for Special Collections materials in general and for rare books and early manuscripts in particular; provides research support to faculty, students, and researchers. Working with the HLSL Manager, Digital Lab Projects, assists in planning, implementing and evaluating programs for digitization of HSC collections; oversees and participates in creation of exhibits, publications, tours and other outreach programs. Working with the HLS, HU faculty and students, encourages the use of the special collections through class presentations, HLS professional programs and exhibits. Participates in library-wide and University wide planning groups and committees; represents the Harvard Law School Library in activities related to Historical & Special Collections within the University Library and the academic community. Creates and updates emergency procedures for HSC areas (stacks, Root Room, Caspersen Room and art works); oversees security systems for Special Collections; is responsible for developing and updating procedures for the loan of HSC materials for exhibitions to external organizations. Oversees recruiting and training of Historical & Special Collections curators. Represents HLSL with donors, collectors and the research community.
Basic Qualifications:
MLS from ALA accredited program or equivalent degree with a preference for an archival/special collections concentration.
Additional Qualifications:
Advanced degree in a relevant academic discipline, preferred. Minimum 4-6 years experience working in a large academic library, with emphasis on or experience in special collections. Significant curatorial experience working within Special Collections, especially with rare books and manuscript collections required. Significant supervisory/management experience within this specialized area. Knowledge and understating of trends and issues in special collections including the use of technology for preservation preferred. Demonstrated excellent written and oral communication skills. Strong reading knowledge of at least one western European Language required with German, French or Law French strongly preferred. Latin strongly preferred.
To Apply:
For immediate consideration please apply directly on Harvard's employment site at http://www.employment.harvard.edu/ referencing requisition number 21479.