Special Collections & University Archives Librarian

SPECIAL COLLECTIONS AND UNIVERSITY ARCHIVES LIBRARIAN: California State University, Stanislaus is seeking a hands-on, knowledgeable, innovative and forward-thinking librarian who is passionate about archives and special collections development to join the library faculty as the Special Collections and University Archives Librarian.

The University Library, one of twenty-three libraries in the California State University System, supports the mission of the University in “creating an inclusive learning environment which encourages all members of the campus community to expand their intellectual, creative, and social horizons” and is committed to providing access to information resources and services that facilitate teaching, learning and research.

This is a full-time, 12-month, tenure-track faculty position. Library faculty work under the direction of the Dean of Library Services and must demonstrate proficiency in the areas of librarianship; research, scholarship and/or creative activities; and participation in University affairs in order to earn tenure and promotion. The library faculty work collaboratively in the spirit of shared governance to formulate library practices and policies and value consultation, flexibility and enthusiasm for an evolving environment.

The Library Special Collections consists of donated and purchased resources of interest to the campus, the community, and the Central Valley region that are relevant for supporting faculty teaching, student learning and scholarly research activities. Noteworthy collections include a rare book/local history collection of approximately 1,000 volumes; a photographic collection of more than 30,000 prints, slides and negatives, comprising the lifetime work of a local Luso-American photojournalist; the historic newspaper collection that contains local newspaper specimens dating back to 1870’s; an Assyrian rare book collection; and the Modern Assyrian Heritage Collection. The Library special collections offer substantial potential for grant proposals and digitization projects.

The University Archives serves as a repository for materials documenting the history of the University, and includes retrospective campus publications such as newsletters, catalogs, press releases, photographs, The Signal student newspaper, campus yearbooks, as well as other documents and ephemera representing various campus entities. The Library is an active participant in CSU-system-wide digital repository projects, such as Scholar Works, the CSU Institutional Repository for students and faculty scholarship.

The University Library will return to the newly renovated library building in the summer of 2021. The re-designed Special Collections and University Archives will include a closed-stack area, a digitization room, a restoration room, a reading/research room, and a reception area. The new facility will offer ample space for new projects and program development.

The University Statement on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Social Justice and the supporting University Library Action Plan for Social Justice are new actionable commitments supported by the library dean and faculty. As such, they provide new opportunities for further excellence in librarianship in Special Collections & University Archives. An example of this is a budding project between library faculty, faculty of color and the university community to establish an archive of print materials and born-digital stories in order to document the experiences of faculty, staff and students around issues of social justice on campus. Applicants whose research interests and/or experience includes issues of social justice, anti-racism, diversity and inclusion are encouraged to apply.

Primary responsibilities include:

- Lead the continuing development and ongoing sustainability of the Library Special Collections and University Archives, including strategic planning, developing of policies and procedures, establishing best practices and applying standards, collection development, collection organization, data and metadata management, collection maintenance and preservation.

- Recommend and advise the Dean on budget, staffing and facility matters pertinent to Special Collections and University Archives.

- Plan and apply records management models to collections to facilitate discovery of and make accessible materials in Special Collections and University Archives.

- Develop programs and services to acquire, process, curate, and provide access to special collections and university archives in varied formats and media including born-digital archives.

- Perform public services duties and respond to in-depth queries about Special Collections and University Archives, including assisting users in person, by appointment, or via other communication media.

- Work with discipline faculty on curricular integration of Special Collections and University Archives materials into University teaching, learning, and research.

- Participate in outreach programs and engage with researchers and regional communities beyond the university.

- Identify, plan and conduct specialized projects pertinent to the development and/or promotion of Special Collections and University Archives.

- Engage in regular professional development and stay abreast of trends and development impacting academic archives and special collections.

- Provide research assistance at the library reference/research help desk during scheduled times, by appointment, and through web-based interactive services.

- Participate in the library instruction program for both classroom and online learning environments.

- Participate in the library’s collection development and liaison program.

- Participate in library and university committees and affairs.

- Perform other faculty duties as required.