University Archivist and Special Collections Librarian

The Illinois Wesleyan University Library invites applications for the position of University Archivist and Special Collections Librarian (tenure track faculty). Reporting to the University Librarian, the successful candidate will build on a successful record of connecting with students, staff, and faculty through outreach and instruction. This position also supervises the Archives Processing and Metadata Specialist, a non-exempt staff position. The start date for this position is August 1, 2024, but an earlier start date can be negotiated. If you’re looking for a supportive work environment with potential for growth and collaborative partnerships inside and outside the library, this is an excellent opportunity.

Illinois Wesleyan is a nationally ranked, small, private, undergraduate liberal arts university with highly selective admission criteria and a tradition of teaching excellence emphasizing the integration of the liberal arts and professional education. At IWU, we value diversity, equity, and inclusion, and this position would be responsible for ensuring access to and collection of diverse voices from the IWU community through active outreach and relationship building. 

The Ames Library offers a learning environment that is conducive to interaction, consultation, study, and reflection, and is dedicated to serving the scholarly and creative needs of the Illinois Wesleyan University community. Collocated within the library are three of our partners: Writing Center | Tutoring Services, the Center for Engaged Learning, and members of Information Technology Services.

The library faculty are highly collaborative and committed to student learning in all forms. As a member of the library faculty, The University Archivist will be responsible for liaison work with assigned departments, providing collection development, instruction, and consultations; specific subject areas will be negotiated at the time of hire. The successful candidate will also fulfill the responsibilities listed below, contribute to faculty governance through campus committee service, and engage with the archival and/or academic librarianship community through professional development, consortial or library association service, and scholarship. Professional development funding is available, as is mentoring both within and outside of the library. 

Responsibilities:  

Public Facing Responsibilities:

• enhances and utilizes the archival and special collections for the purposes of research and the historical record, and develops effective aids for their use, including electronic finding aids, guides, and exhibitions;
• provides public service to Library users, including reference, instruction, and outreach;
• provides archival, records management, and preservation expertise to University and campus offices and departments through active outreach;
• connects with donors, external community members and/or organizations to promote understanding of and relationships with the university;
• advises faculty on the disposition of their professional papers; 
• supervises the Archives Processing and Metadata Specialist. 

Technical responsibilities:

• sets policy and levels of practice for archival matters in the Library and the University community;
• advises on records management policies for University records in all formats;
• provides direction on the processing and preservation of University and campus archival records.

Library faculty responsibilities:

• participates in special projects and initiatives in the library;
• serves as library liaison to negotiated academic units, providing library instruction, collection development, and reference consultations;
• engages in service and scholarship as a tenure-track faculty member.

Required Qualifications:  

• MLS degree (or equivalent) from an ALA-accredited school, with coursework that includes archival training;
• Successful experience pre- or post-MLS as an archivist or with an archival or manuscript collection or similar relevant experience;
• Strong commitment to excellence in service and demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively;
• Commitment to incorporating diversity, inclusion, and equity principles into all aspects of professional work;
• Ability to work well with faculty members and colleagues, administrative staff, and students, and familiarity with supervising staff, student assistants, and interns;
• Demonstrable evidence of effective project planning, management, and completion;
• Excellent analytical, interpersonal and communication skills, initiative and flexibility.

Any relevant equivalence in education, experience, or training that provides the necessary skills, abilities, and knowledge will be considered. 

Appointment, Rank, and Salary:  Twelve-month appointment, faculty rank and salary commensurate with qualifications and experience. An overview of IWU’s benefits can be found here: https://www.iwu.edu/human-resources/current-employees.html. Applicants are welcome to reach out to the University Librarian with any questions (sdaviska@iwu.edu). 

To Apply: Please submit the following: 

• A cover letter addressing qualifications
• A curriculum vitae
• A clear statement about how you as an archivist/special collections librarian can, or have, addressed issues of race, gender, sexual orientation, disability, and/or other issues of historical marginalization in your work with students, faculty and staff and/or in your own academic preparation. (Maximum, one single-spaced page)
• Contact information for three professional references

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until September 1, 2023. Applications can be directed to: Katy Ritter (kritter@iwu.edu), Operations Specialist, The Ames Library.  

Illinois Wesleyan University is committed to recruiting, supporting, and fostering a diverse, inclusive, and civil community of outstanding faculty, staff, and students. We seek candidates who have a demonstrated commitment to supporting and further building our community in these dimensions. Illinois Wesleyan University is an EEO Employer.  Illinois Wesleyan University’s sexual misconduct policy may be accessed at www.iwu.edu/human-resources/SexualMisconductPolicy.html.  Illinois Wesleyan University is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusive excellence; details at https://www.iwu.edu/non-discrimination.html. For the latest IWU COVID policies and protocols see: https://www.iwu.edu/updates/coronavirus/.

Required Qualifications:  

• MLS degree (or equivalent) from an ALA-accredited school, with coursework that includes archival training;
• Successful experience pre- or post-MLS as an archivist or with an archival or manuscript collection or similar relevant experience;
• Strong commitment to excellence in service and demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively;
• Commitment to incorporating diversity, inclusion, and equity principles into all aspects of professional work;
• Ability to work well with faculty members and colleagues, administrative staff, and students, and familiarity with supervising staff, student assistants, and interns;
• Demonstrable evidence of effective project planning, management, and completion;
• Excellent analytical, interpersonal and communication skills, initiative and flexibility.

About Illinois Wesleyan University

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