Director, Special Research Collections

Tulsa, OK, United States

The University of California (UC), Santa Barbara, is one of ten campuses that comprise the University of California system and is a member of the Association of American Universities. In addition, UC Santa Barbara is a member of the Association of Research Libraries.

The expected effective date of this position is September 2024.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES

Reporting to the Associate University Librarian for Research Resources and Scholarly Communication, the Director of Special Research Collections (SRC) provides leadership for SRC collections, programs, curators, and staff. The Director leads a unit that operates at the highest levels of excellence with transparency, commitment to ethical practice in decision-making, and a strong ethos of responsible stewardship of special research collections and archives. The Director promotes a workplace culture that is fulfilling, productive, empowering, and mutually respectful.

Responsibilities include:

Establishes priorities and guidelines for the ongoing work of SRC curators and staff engaged in responsible curation, stewardship, preservation, and providing timely access to special research collections. Manages hiring, supervision, training, coaching, and professional guidance to direct reports.

Provides leadership in planning and managing SRC collection development, public services, and space management, including the management of materials housed in the Library and remote locations.

Articulates departmental policies and procedures and is responsible for the ongoing evaluation of SRC activities. Uses data and assessment to support evidence-based changes to collections and services. Ensures SRC personnel have the skills and tools necessary for supporting 21st-century special collections activities and services in a rapidly changing environment.

Manages the departmental budget, including the base collections budget, endowments, budgets for grant-funded projects, and student staffing.

Develops and identifies fundraising opportunities for establishing and growing endowments, gifts, support for collections, and funding projects through grant and donor support. Works closely with the Senior Director of Development, the Associate University Librarian for Research Resources and Scholarly Communication, curators, subject librarians, and other professional colleagues to identify new sources and contacts for enhancing collections and their access and use.

Collaborates with the Library stakeholders to organize, manage, and spearhead events, donor recognition events, and exhibition openings. Works with the Communications and Marketing Manager to publicize events, collections, exhibitions, and programs.

Establishes and sustains faculty relationships conducive to developing premier research collections and supporting public services. Oversees departmental reference and instructional services and programs, exhibitions, tours, and other activities. Establishes partnerships with campus departments, museums, UC system-wide special collections departments, and units within the Library to maximize support and increase the visibility of the collections.

Builds collaborative relationships with stakeholders across the UCSB Library, including Directors of Resource Acquisition & Discovery Services, Digital Library Development, Collection Strategies, Access Services, Research & Engagement, Teaching & Learning, and the Events & Exhibitions Manager. Collaborates with staff across the Library to establish best practices for the preservation, security, and access of Library collections and related public service activities.

Represents the UCSB Library on UC system-wide committees and ad-hoc groups related to special collections and archives; participates in Library-wide activities, committees, and special projects; and represents the Library in local, regional, and national organizations.

Other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

The University is especially interested in candidates who can contribute to the diversity and excellence of the academic community through research, teaching, and service as appropriate to the position.

ABOUT THE LIBRARY

Individually and collectively, the University of California libraries provide access to the world’s knowledge for the UC campuses and the communities they serve, supporting UC’s missions of teaching, research, and public service. The University of California has a deep commitment to its leadership role in transforming archival practice toward greater openness and responsible stewardship of special research collections and archival content. With a dynamic and innovative Library community of curators and archival staff, the UC actively leads the broader conversation in North America around transforming the current archival stewardship model.

The Special Research Collections (SRC) department at UC Santa Barbara curates special collections and archives and provides public services with a local focus and global reach. The mission of SRC is to responsibly acquire, preserve, promote, and make accessible a world-class collection of manuscripts and archives, rare books, photographs, film and media content, sound recordings, and other rare and unique materials that tell the story of our collective past. Significant strengths of the named collections are California Ethnic and Multicultural Archives, Humanistic Psychology Archives, Performing Arts, Historical Sound Recordings, American Religions, Santa Barbara History, Romaine Trade Catalogs, and the William Wyles Collection. In addition, the unit supports the Discography of American Historical Recordings (DAHR), a database of master recordings made by American record companies during the 78 rpm era. The DAHR is part of the American Discography Project (ADP)—an initiative of the University of California, Santa Barbara, and the Packard Humanities Institute.

The Special Research Collections Department is a unit within the Division of Research Resources and Scholarly Communication. SRC integrates special collections resources, services, and operations for all SRC collecting areas and University Archives. The department is composed of 15 permanent FTE employees, including curators and staff. The unit proactively engages all stakeholders in developing and applying strategies and approaches to break down barriers to primary sources. In addition, SRC develops fundraising strategies, stewards and cultivates donors, and maintains responsible relationships with donors while balancing their interests with UCSB institutional goals, priorities, and capacities. The current SRC facility was built during UCSB Library's 2016 Addition & Renovation Project. With state-of-the-art exhibit and event spaces, research and teaching conference rooms, and a digitization lab, the SRC is a vibrant center of the university’s intellectual life.

SALARY AND BENEFITS

Salary commensurate with experience and qualifications. Librarians at the University of California, Santa Barbara, are professional academic appointees who accrue vacation at the rate of two days per month and sick leave at the rate of one day per month. The University has excellent retirement plans and a selection of group health, dental, vision, and life insurance plans. Benefits information can be found at http://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/ .

Appointment or continued employment is contingent on the successful completion of a background check.

Why UC Santa Barbara

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