Head of Special Collections

Salary:

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Job Category:

Academic Staff

Employment Type:

Regular

Job Profile:

Library/Archive Manager I

Job Summary:

The Head of Special Collections oversees the collections, services,staff, and operations of the Department of Special Collections, theUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison’s primary home for rare books,manuscripts, and other rare and unique collections. Withapproximately 300,000 rare books and many manuscript and archivalcollections, the holdings in the Department of Special Collectionsinclude internationally prominent collections in literature, globalhistory and culture, and the history of science. The Head of Special Collections directs and provides vision forresearcher support, class support, outreach, and facultyengagement. This position articulates collection priorities andworks with curators to develop collections to support facultyinstruction and research. The Head of Special Collectionscollaborates with others to ensure the proper cataloging,description, digitization, and preservation of collections and isresponsible for external fundraising, including donor developmentand grant writing. They build creative and collaborativepartnerships with faculty, academic departments, archives, museums,and libraries across campus and around the world. As the primary leadership position for Special Collections, thedepartment head establishes strategic directions, sets goals, andpromotes a vision for the future. This position directly supervisesfour full-time permanent staff members. The Head of SpecialCollections reports to the Associate Dean for Collections. The UW-Madison Libraries lead in curating, preserving, and sharingknowledge through environments that inspire engagement, discovery,and learning. We deliver exemplary information services to advancethe mission and strategic priorities of one of the nation’s leadingresearch universities. Shared values at the UW-Madison Librariesinclude respect, inclusion, communication, collaboration, andempowerment.

Management and Leadership

• Provides vision and leadership for the Department of SpecialCollections and establishes goals and priorities for the departmentand its staff.
• Hires, manages, trains, and supervises four direct reports (4.0FTE).
• Conducts annual employee reviews and provides feedback toemployees about their ongoing performance to contribute to theirprofessional growth and development, as well as to the strategicadvancement of the organization.
• Oversees operations of the Department of Special Collectionsincluding facilities and security.
• Sets priorities and oversees cataloging, processing,preservation, and digitization projects.
• Collaborates closely with library departments includingCataloging, Digital Collections, Preservation, and Internationaland Area Studies.

Collection Development

• In collaboration with library staff, develops extensivecollections that support campus research, teaching, andlearning.
• Oversees collections funds, including endowments and giftfunds.
• Develops relationships with collection donors and oversees theacceptance and management of gifts-in-kind.

Liaison and Instructional Services

• Provides direction for the provision of research services,access services, and instructional services for specialcollections.
• Provides expert research services.
• Leads and participates in outreach activities.
• Participates in instructional services.
• Collaborates with communications staff to promote library services, staff, and collections.

Donor Stewardship and Fundraising

• Works closely with the Associate Dean for Advancement andCommunication on donor relations and stewardship.
• Identifies and pursues grant opportunities to fund library andcampus initiatives.

Professional Development and Service

• Stays informed of trends and issues in libraries, withparticular focus on topics related to special collectionslibrarianship.
• Participates in professional library organizations.
• Participates in library and campus committees and outreachactivities to further the library's mission.
• Participates in research and scholarship, as appropriate.

This position is eligible for partial remote work. A remote workagreement may allow for a maximum of 20% remote per week.

This position is full-time, 100%.

Ongoing/Renewable

Key Job Responsibilities

• Resolves complex issues which may impact policies andprocedures within the unit (10%)
• Designs, develops, and provides leadership on projects,programs, procedures, and services (20%)
• Actively participate in an inclusive, welcoming and respectfulworkplace (5%)
• Communicates the strategic direction of the department asdetermined by leadership (10%)
• Advances librarianship/archives at the campus, local, and statelevel through committee participation (5%)
• Oversees day-to-day management of unit operations, services,and space (15%)
• Collaborates with other managers to develop and implementinitiatives and technological enterprises which directly affect thelibraries (15%)
• May supervise