Associate Professor (Director, Distinctive Collections), University of Rhode Island

This position is a 12-month tenure-track faculty appointment at the Associate Professor level. The position of Associate Professor will be a calendar year appointment with an expected start date of January 2017. This position reports to the Chair, Technical Services and Dean, University Libraries.

The mission of the Distinctive Collections unit of the URI Libraries is to acquire, organize, preserve and provide access to historical documentation of all types and formats – physical and digital archives, records, rare books, manuscripts, and more — and includes research collections of both published and original source materials, particularly those related to Rhode Island and to the University. The unit houses almost 50,000 printed volumes and 20,000 linear feet of manuscript and archival material, including the political papers of Rhode Island senators and governors 1945-2007. Prominent collections include the papers of Senators Pell and Chafee and the Commercial Pattern Archives. The University Archives contains 3,521 linear feet of administrative records and publications and approximately 273,372 images of University events from 1890 to the present. Personnel in the unit include one lecturer and two graduate student assistants.

The University is located near Rhode Island’s famous shoreline and is within easy traveling distance to Boston and New York City. The University of Rhode Island is a Land-, Sea-, and Urban-Grant institution and is a top tier research university.

The Associate Professor, (Director, Distinctive Collections) provides strategic leadership and management of the unit, participating in and overseeing all activities, and contributes to the strategic leadership of URI Libraries. The Associate Professor will build research collections that support creative scholarship, working with diverse faculty to plan, teach and support research involving use of unique primary sources. The Associate Professor will be knowledgeable about modern distinctive collections and new and emerging information and library technologies. She/he will be working independently and collaboratively with faculty and staff, and will promote collections and services to the University community and the public, furthering the strategic goals of the library.
The explosion of online information presents challenges and opportunities for Distinctive Collections. It is critical that the scope of collection development in the unit accommodate this increase in volume to strategically collect the full breadth of primary sources for tomorrow. The Associate Professor, (Director, Distinctive Collections) will lead URI Libraries’ efforts to achieve this objective, aligning closely with a sustained focus on vital physical and print materials.

Basic Function:

Evaluates potential collection additions; makes recommendations for acquisition of new collections and/or de-accessioning of existing collections.

Develops and implements policies and standards for the collections.

Works closely with Deans, URI Foundation, etc. to cultivate potential donors both internal and external to the organization. Identifies and solicits funds, including writing grant proposals, as appropriate.

Hires, supervises and trains staff, student employees, volunteers, and/or interns, and ensures a welcoming work environment supportive of professional and personal growth.

Oversees the annual budget for the unit, promoting transparency and efficiency in allocating resources, and prepares reports for the Unit.

Partners with, advises, and assists faculty, students and other researchers in the use of materials housed in Distinctive Collections.

Develops new programs to engage audiences from all educational levels, which may include course development, workshops, tutorials, lectures, exhibits, and other events.

Develops interdisciplinary and inter-institutional programs to promote research and scholarship.

Develops, curates, preserves, arranges and describes collections in accordance with nationally accepted professional standards and practice.

Enables and encourages new forms of scholarship, with a focus on combining digital tools and methods with primary sources in all forms.

Collaborates with other units and departments at URI and outside partners to develop and implement plans for digitization and a comprehensive digital preservation infrastructure.

Serves on Library, University, local, regional, and national professional committees, task-forces, and work groups as appropriate.

1. Master’s degree from an ALA accredited program or ALA approved equivalent degree program.

2. At least 5 years professional experience in Special Collections and Archives.

3. Demonstrated knowledge and expertise in contemporary archival practice issues and trends.

4. Demonstrated knowledge of rare books and manuscripts management.

5. Demonstrated experience with management and preservation of archival and special collections in non-textual formats, such as photographs, audio recordings, video recordings, and digital files.

6. Demonstrated proficiency in written communication skills.

7. Demonstrated excellence in oral and interpersonal skills.

8. Demonstrated experience working with diverse groups/individuals.

9. Demonstrated ability to fulfill the requirements for tenure and promotion in librarianship, research and service.

1. Additional graduate or advanced degree in relevant professional discipline.

2. Demonstrated ability in teaching and creation of teaching tools such as tutorials.

3. Demonstrated experience planning and implementing a digital preservation working program.

4. Demonstrated experience implementing disaster preparedness, response, and recovery programs.

5. Demonstrated ability to identify and secure funding through grants and other revenue sources.