Open date: April 4, 2024
Next review date: Friday, May 17, 2024 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.
Final date: Friday, Oct 4, 2024 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.
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:
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
Department: https://www.library.ucsb.edu/
Master's degree in Library and Information Science from an ALA-accredited institution or equivalent international institution, with coursework in archives and/or special collections, OR comparable advanced degree with five years experience in special collections in an academic research library
At least two years experience managing library staff
At least two years of professional experience in special collections and archives.
Excellent written communication skills as evidenced by submitted materials, including the CV, cover letter, and optional statement of contributions to diversity.
Knowledge of current and emerging trends, issues, workflows, standards, and best practices in archives and special collections in research libraries, including born-digital content acquisition, digital preservation, and digitization of analog formats
Evidence of success in strategic planning, including workforce and budget planning, collection space planning, and management
Demonstrated experience with preservation standards and their challenges for a variety of content types
Familiarity with legal, privacy, and ethical issues associated with archiving and providing access to digital and print content
Demonstrated understanding of the uses of emerging technology to enhance the reach and impact of archives and special collections and the efficiency of work within the department
Demonstrated ability to work both independently and collaboratively with multiple constituencies in a complex environment
Demonstrated strong and effective managerial and organizational skills with an ability to lead and motivate library professionals, paraprofessionals, and other library personnel
Experience in donor relations and growing philanthropic support
Experience with public programming and exhibits
Experience working and supervising in a union environment
Demonstrated commitment to professional development
Society of American Archivists awards or certificate programs, or Academy of Certified Archivists certification.
Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
Cover Letter
Statement of Contributions to Diversity - Statement addressing past and/or potential contributions to diversity through research, teaching, and/or service.
(Optional)
References will only be contacted for the finalist.
Help contact: ahigham@ucsb.edu
The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age or protected veteran status. For the University of California's Affirmative Action Policy please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4010393/PPSM-20. For the University of California's Anti-Discrimination Policy, please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination.
As a condition of employment, you will be required to comply with the University of California Policy on Vaccination Programs, as may be amended or revised from time to time. Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.