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Position Description - Head of Special Collections, Syracuse University Library



The Syracuse University Library invites nominations and applications for
the position of Head of Special Collections. The Head reporting to the
University Librarian, will  lead, manage and develop the department,
contribute to the goals of the Syracuse University Library, and play a
dynamic role in the academic life of the campus. The successful candidate
will be a member of the library's Administrative Committee, sharing
responsibility for the overall strategic direction of the University
Library.  The ability to publicize and expand awareness and use of the
special collections, locally and nationally, are critical to success in
this position. He/she will also be responsible for strategic planning of
the department; donor relations; setting priorities for the collection and
its preservation; management and development of staff; and digital
initiatives. The Head of Special Collections will actively contribute to
public service activities, and guide the publications, exhibitions and
public programming sponsored by the Department. The incumbent will work
closely with the University Archivist whose offices and collections are
also housed on the sixth floor of the E.S. Bird Library.

The Department

The Department of Special Collections comprises over 90,000 volumes of rare
books and 1,200+ manuscript collections.  There is an experience staff of
ten with a strong public service orientation.  Focused on the 19th and 20th
centuries, collection strengths include English and American literature
(Rudyard Kipling, Joyce Carol Oates); industrial design (John Vassos,
Russel Wright); philanthropy (Archer M. Huntington, Albert Schweitzer);
popular culture (Street and Smith); publishing (American Book Company,
Grove Press); and social reform (Gerrit Smith, Oneida Community, Benjamin
Spock).  The collections encompass a wide variety of formats, including
significant holdings of architectural drawings (Marcel Breuer) and
photographs (Margaret Bourke- White).  The 20,000 manuscript and print
volumes of the Leopold von Ranke collections documenting European history
came to the Library in 1888. More on the library's Special Collections can
be found at <http//libwww.syr.edu/information/spcollections/index.html>.

Minimum Qualifications

The successful candidate for the Head of Special Collections will have a
degree in librarianship or information science from an ALA accredited
program, or an equivalent degree; five years of progressively responsible
rare book and manuscript experience in a special collections department; or
an equivalent combination of education and experience, excellent oral,
written, planning and interpersonal skills, and an enthusiasm for the
substance of learning.

The successful candidate will also demonstrate the best combination of the
following: Capacity for leadership in a library setting and the ability to
manage a department with 5 professional and 5 support staff; experience
with the development and implementation of digital initiatives, such as
EAD, imaging, text encoding and web-based applications; experience with
donor relations and ability to work in a collegial fashion with faculty,
researchers and alumni; grant writing ability desirable; ability to view
issues from a library-wide perspective and to contribute effectively on
collaborative projects within and outside the Library; ability to play a
leading role in the friends of the library group; record of contribution to
relevant professional organizations, personal research and publications;
strong background in the humanities; advanced degree preferred; competency
in a western European language; German or French preferred.

Salary and Benefits

Commensurate with education and experience. Minimum salary $68,000. The
University's generous benefits package includes an 11% contribution to
TIAA/CREF, health and dental plans, tuition remission, adoption assistance,
insurance, and other work/life options and benefits. The University offers
a guaranteed mortgage assistance program in targeted neighborhoods.

Contact

Send letter of application, resume, recent sample of written work, and
names of three references to:

Search Committee for Head of Special Collections Department, Syracuse
University Library
Syracuse University
Office of Human Resources
Skytop Office Building
Syracuse, NY 13244-5300

Applications received by May 31, 2002 will receive first consideration.


***************************
Peter D. Verheyen
Special Collections Preservation & Access Librarian / Conservator
Syracuse University Library
Syracuse, NY 13244
(315) 443-9937
<mailto:pdverhey@library.syr.edu>
<http://libwww.syr.edu/information/spcollections/>

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