Newberry Library, Collections and Library Services
Curator of Rare Books and Manuscripts
Institution Type: | Nonprofit |
Location: | Illinois, United States |
Position: | Curator, Librarian |
Summary: Reporting to the Vice President for Collections and Library Services, the Curator has responsibility for developing, interpreting, promoting, and managing the Newberry’s renowned collection of pre-1815 Continental European rare books and manuscripts in history, literature, and other humanities fields. Areas of outstanding strength include religious, political, and intellectual history; Italian, French, and Neo-Latin literature; historical linguistics; humanism and the Enlightenment; the French Revolution; Spanish and Portuguese history; travel literature; rhetoric and pedagogy.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Attains in-depth knowledge of relevant collections including their history, strengths, and areas for future development.
- Responsible for acquisition of antiquarian and scholarly materials in relevant areas.
- Collaborates with other Newberry selectors on acquisitions and collection development strategies and directions.
- Responsible for collection management and gift workflow in areas of responsibility.
- Collaborates with processing staff to set priorities and appropriate standards of description.
- Participates in instruction, reference, and outreach, including regular reference desk shifts.
- Provides in-depth reference and research support for users working on topics relating to areas of responsibility.
- Contributes to the development, writing, and implementation of grant proposals for acquiring, digitizing, and processing materials in areas of responsibility, and to grant proposals for programmatic activities at the Newberry.
- Builds and maintains relationships with the book and auction trade and curators at institutions with comparable collections.
- Identifies and cultivates existing and potential donors.
- Participates in the exhibition program by organizing or contributing to the organization of exhibitions in areas of expertise.
- Participates in scholarly and professional organizations and represents the Newberry at relevant meetings and conferences.
- Provides support to other Newberry divisions and units, including Research and Academic Programs, Development, Exhibitions and Major Projects, and Communications.
- Participates in the wider scholarly life of the Newberry, including attending and contributing to discussion at Fellows’ seminars and weekly colloquia; and writing collection evaluations for fellowship applications.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- MLIS from an ALA-accredited institution or international equivalent and an advanced degree in a humanities discipline relevant to the Newberry’s collection; or a PhD in a relevant discipline and training in bibliography and book history.
- Substantial curatorial experience in a research library.
- Excellent knowledge of bibliography and book history. Strong general humanities background. Knowledge of paleography preferred.
- Reading knowledge of Latin and at least two modern European languages (French, German, and Portuguese or Dutch preferred).
- Experience with exhibitions, reference, outreach, and instruction.
- Demonstrated excellent oral and written communication skills.
- Demonstrated ability to work independently and with diverse constituencies, flexibility, excellent interpersonal and collaborative skills.
- Experience with priority-setting, selection, and interpretation for digital collections preferred.
Contact: |
Email application materials to The Office of Human Resources at hr@newberry.org. Applications should include a cover letter, cv, and contact information for three references. Applicants should indicate their start date availability in the cover letter. |
Website: | https://www.newberry.org |
Primary Category: | European History / Studies |
Secondary Categories: | Humanities |
Posting Date: | 05/22/2016 |
Closing Date | 07/31/2016 |