United States
The University of Alaska Fairbanks Libraries seeks an innovative and knowledgeable leader (Assistant or Associate Professor) for the Elmer E. Rasmuson Library's Alaska & Polar Regions Collections and Archives department, one of the world's pre-eminent collections of Alaskana and Arctic/Antarctic materials with budget and grant funded support of approximately $2M. This is a twelve-month tenure-track faculty appointment.
The Head of Alaska & Polar Regions Collections and Archives is one of five administrative department heads reporting to the Dean of Libraries and is a member of Library Council, the library's principal management group. The successful candidate will contribute significantly to strategic planning, program and policy development, budgeting, assessment processes, and continual evaluation of the library's collections and services.
The department head leads and co-ordinates the activities of a unit that includes archives and manuscripts, university records, oral history, Alaskana and rare books and maps, the Alaska Film Archives, the Ted Stevens project, Project Jukebox and the Rasmuson Translation Series. The unit serves the local, national, and international research communities with collections including 150,000 monograph and serial volumes; 7,000 rare books and maps; 15,000 linear feet of archives and manuscripts; 1 million plus photographs, 1 million feet of historical moving image footage, and over 10,000 hours of oral history recordings.
The department head will initiate collaborations at all levels, advance new initiatives in collection building, access, public services, outreach and digital projects, coordinate grant activities and seek new funding opportunities for the unit. This position works closely with the dean and donors to promote an active development program.
The department head also participates in the library's instructional programs, will produce scholarly research and publications, and engages in professional service activities at the library, university, state, regional, national and international levels where appropriate.
Knowledge, skills and abilities required for this position:
Demonstrated expertise of current practice in at least one area relevant to the position duties. Ability to advocate for the department, the library, and the university. Demonstrated ability to acquire funding from external sources through fund raising, grant writing and grant management, and other development activities. Ability to work effectively with a diverse clientele that ranges from K-12 students to senior faculty and from local community members to international scholars. Excellent analytical, organizational, and managerial skills. Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills.
Education and experience requirements:
Candidates must have a MLIS or MLS degree from an ALA-accredited program or foreign equivalent or a PhD in a relevant subject area and at least five years of progressively responsible experience in special collections, research librarianship, museum administration or related organizational experience applicable to the position. In addition, they should have a record of professional achievement, effective communication skills, and the ability to meet the University's promotion and tenure requirements through teaching, scholarship and service.
Preferred knowledge, skills or abilities for this position:
Second Masters degree or PhD in a field relevant to the departmental mission, collections, and programs. Knowledge of Alaska and/or Polar history, cultures, and resources. Administrative experience in an academic library.
