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Chair, Department of Special and Area Studies Collection -- University of
Florida -- Florida
POSITION VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT
POSITION TITLE: Chair, Department of Special and Area Studies
Collections
RANK Associate University Librarian/University Librarian
SALARY:$60,000 minimum; salary is commensurate with education and
experience
REPORTS TO:Director for Collections
REQUISITION #: 034702
DEADLINE DATE:October 31, 2006
JOB SUMMARY:
The George A. Smathers Libraries at the University of Florida is seeking a
visionary, innovative, energetic, and creative librarian to lead the
programs of the Department of Special and Area Studies Collections. The
Department includes Rare Books, Manuscripts, University Archives, and
several named subject collections as well as African Studies, Asian
Studies, Jewish Studies, and Latin American Studies. See:
http://web.uflib.ufl.edu/spec/.
Reporting to the Director for Collections, this position provides
leadership for all aspects of special and area studies collections
including collection development; reference, instruction, and outreach
services; organization, maintenance, and preservation of collections;
space management, staff management and supervision; and the collaborative
development of digital library initiatives. The Chair works
collaboratively with library colleagues to assess strengths and weaknesses
in the various collections, to determine priorities, to establish policy,
and to develop departmental service plans that enhance and support the
academic mission of the University. The Chair may assume responsibility
for developing, managing, and providing public services for a specific
special collection.
The Chair actively pursues development opportunities in both the public
and private sectors and serves as secretary and treasurer of the Howe
Society (a development group for the Department). The Chair will be a
member of the Libraries' management team (Library Council), sharing
responsibility for the overall strategic direction of the University
Libraries. The ability to publicize and expand awareness and use of the
special collections, locally and nationally, is critical to success in
this position. The Chair will actively contribute to public service
activities, and guide the publications, exhibitions, and public
programming sponsored by the Department. The Chair serves on appropriate
University and Library committees and pursues scholarly research and
writing in areas of specialization.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
·Works with faculty and staff to define needs, set priorities,
develop policies, and establish goals, objectives, strategic plans, and
budgets to ensure effective management and development of the collections.
Keeps abreast of national developments in the administration of academic
research collections, especially special collections and area studies
collections.
·Organizes collection management efforts, monitors collection
development decisions, and allocates available collection management funds
in support of the collections. May assume collection management
responsibility in a specific area.
·Works with Department staff to identify and prioritize areas for
which external support is needed; works closely with the Libraries'
Development Office (Development Officers and Public Information Officer)
to organize fundraising and donor relations activities; provides
leadership and/or assistance with the identification, cultivation and
solicitation of potential donors; coordinates departmental participation
in library development efforts; and serves as permanent
secretary/treasurer of the Howe Society, a support group for the
department
(http://web.uflib.ufl.edu/spec/howesoc/howesoc.htm).
·Advances scholarship and access through digitization of unique
holdings, online finding aids, and other initiatives.
·Collaborates with internal library partners such as the Digital
Library Center and the Collections Management Department on projects of
shared interest and mutual benefit.
·Organizes the department's publications program to ensure
availability of necessary finding aids, exhibit catalogs, and guides to
the collections. Oversees the development and publication of general
reports that inform the academic community and public about developments
in the Special and Area Studies Collections.
·Organizes and coordinates departmental initiatives for public
programs and exhibit series, advanced reference services, bibliographic
instruction, and automated data retrieval services.
·Organizes and maintains a systematic program of regular contact
with appropriate academic and library faculty, and benefactors. Keeps
informed on the development of academic programs to ensure that the
department's collection management, public service, technical service, and
development programs support University curriculum and research needs.
Informs clientele about relevant library issues.
·Develops and encourages activities to promote the use of special
collections and archives by the university community and beyond through
exhibits, user education, and other outreach and educational efforts.
·Participates actively in the cooperative management of the
Libraries through service on the Library Council (library
directors/administration and the chairs of departments), the
Collections Management Group and other library consultative bodies.
Participates in University of Florida committees as appropriate.
·Pursues research and development projects benefiting the
department; conducts research in subject areas relevant to the holdings in
Special and Area Studies Collections, or in fields of specialization, and
publishes results.
·Analyzes department programs; reports on accomplishments, creates
strategies for improvements in quality of services and defines resource
needs.
·Fosters an atmosphere of collegiality and innovation.
·Represents the library in appropriate university, local, state,
regional, and national bodies.
·Implements the Affirmative Action program of the University of
Florida within the department.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
·An MLS/MLIS, or equivalent.
·An advanced degree in a subject relating to one or more of the
major collections within Special and Area Studies Collections.
·Five years of progressively responsible library and/or
administrative experience.
·Experience with fundraising and cultivating successful donor
relationships.
·Excellent interpersonal and organizational skills as evidenced by
successful collaborative work.
·Commitment to user-centered public services as demonstrated by
public programming, user education, and other community outreach
activities.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
·The candidate must demonstrate leadership and interpersonal
skills; excellent verbal, written, and planning skills; and an enthusiasm
for the substance of learning.
·Administrative experience in managing departmental teams of
faculty and support staff.
·Capacity to provide leadership in an environment of change.
·Progressive record of professional service and
scholarly/creative accomplishments such as funded grant proposals or
publishing.
·Experience in developing effective support groups.
·Demonstrated ability to work in a university community and to view
issues from a library-wide perspective.
·Commitment to staff development and cross department collaboration
and communication.
·Knowledge of issues, trends, principles and practices in special
collections including collection security, preservation, and electronic
records management.
·Familiarity with the history of books and printing and the
antiquarian book trade.
·Demonstrated knowledge of digitization practices and technological
applications related to special collections management and access.
In general, we are looking for an individual who has the following
characteristics: flexible, self motivated, organized, approachable and
outgoing, creative, team player/participant, inclusive, consensus
builder - diplomatic, leadership skills, communicative, adept at solving
problems, proactive.
THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
The University of Florida is a large, land grant, public educational
research institution with a faculty of approximately 4,000 and a student
body of 48,000. It ranks third nationally in size of student body and
eighth nationally in the number of merit scholars enrolled in the freshmen
class. The University is a member of the Association of American
Universities and offers the Ph.D. in more than 90 fields and the Master's
degree in more than 120 fields. For more information please consult the
UF homepage at http://www.ufl.edu.
The University of Florida Libraries is a member of the Association of
Research Libraries, the Center for Research Libraries, the Research
Libraries Group, and SOLINET. The library staff consists of more than 400
FTE librarians, technical/clerical staff and student assistants. For
more information about the Libraries, please visit
http://www.uflib.ufl.edu.
Special and Area Studies Collections encompasses two units: the Area
Studies Collections and the Special Collections of the University of
Florida.
The Area Studies Collections are the Latin American Collection; the
Africana and the Asian Studies collections; and the Price Library of
Judaica.
Special Collections include Baldwin Library of Historical Children's
Literature, the Belknap Collection for the Performing Arts, the P.K. Yonge
Library of Florida History, the General Manuscript Collection, the Rare
Book Collection, and the University Archives.
BENEFITS:
Twenty-two vacation days, nine paid holidays, and thirteen days sick leave
annually; retirement plan options; insurance benefits; tuition fee waiver
program; no state or local income tax.
APPLICATION PROCESS:
The University of Florida is an equal opportunity employer and is strongly
committed to the diversity of our faculty and staff. Applicants from a
broad spectrum of people, including members of ethnic minorities and
disabled persons, are especially encouraged to apply.
Please reply by e-mail. Send, as attachments (MS-Word format preferred), a
cover letter explaining your interest and qualifications, resume and list
of three references. Include address, telephone and email information for
references. Please include a 250-word essay on the topic "Developing
collections and services of the Department of Special and Area Studies
Collections to enhance and support the academic programs of the University
of Florida." Successful candidates will offer a formal presentation on
this topic. The search will remain open until the position is filled.
Applications will be reviewed beginning October 31, 2006. All inquiries
and submissions of required application materials should be sent to Brian
Keith, Smathers Libraries Human Resources Officer, at:
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Copyright 2006 by The Chronicle of Higher Education
