IUPUI University Library, soon to be the IU Indianapolis University Library, seeks a qualified leader to direct its Distinctive Collections efforts. Distinctive Collections collects, arranges, preserves, and promotes the use of unique and rare materials and is comprised of the Herron Art Library, Special Collections and Archives, as well as University Library’s digital cultural heritage collections. The Director of Distinctive Collections is responsible for the overall management, supervision, and coordination of the Distinctive Collections division in alignment with University Library Strategic Priorities. The successful candidate will have a deep understanding of special collections broadly speaking and experience seeking external funding for collections.
The Director of Distinctive Collections reports to the Senior Associate Dean for Scholarly Communication & Content Strategies and directly supervises the Distinctive Collections leadership team. This is a tenure-track position, with an anticipated start date of June 1, 2024. University Library is especially interested in centering diversity and excellence throughout the institution and welcomes candidates committed to fostering diverse and inclusive work and learning environments.
Ranked among the top 100 most innovative schools by U.S. News and World Report, IUPUI is an urban research and health sciences campus with 18 degree-granting schools and more than 450 academic programs. Located in downtown Indianapolis, a multicultural and affordable mid-sized city, the campus serves more than 29,000 students. As the state’s premier urban research institution, IUPUI is committed to being a welcoming campus community that reflects and enacts the values of diversity, equity and inclusion that inform academic excellence.
Responsibilities
- Provide direct supervision and guidance to the Distinctive Collections leadership team comprised of the four individuals responsible for the areas of Herron Art Library, Ruth Lilly Special Collections & Archives, and Digital Preservation & Digital Collections.
- Establish Distinctive Collections priorities in consultation with the Senior Associate Dean and Distinctive Collections leadership team.
- Recommend priorities, policies, and procedures related to the acquisition, processing, and management of distinctive collections that encourage the widest access to materials and promote the development of collections related to underrepresented communities.
- Lead the Digital Collections Advisory Group charged with evaluating potential digital collections projects, setting priorities, and establishing best practices for digital collection creation.
- Lead collaborative efforts across Distinctive Collections areas.
- Collaborate with internal and external partners as appropriate to advance strategic priorities, including development of the National Service Archives.
- Actively participate in fundraising and grant-seeking related to the Library’s Distinctive Collections including but not limited to the National Service Archives and the Artists’ Books Collection.
- In conjunction with the Herbert Simon Family Dean and Director of Development, build relationships and manage contacts with past, present, and future collection donors, including solicitation of collections, negotiations of deeds of gift, and solicitation of funds for collection development.
- Support and promote collection development strategies that identify and acquire collections from underrepresented artists, organizations, and groups in Central Indiana and beyond.
- Represent the library in university, local, state, and national venues as appropriate.
- Cultivate a positive, supportive, and collaborative work environment.
Required Qualifications
- An ALA-accredited master’s degree in library or information science or an equivalent degree in a related field
- Prior supervisory experience
- Demonstrated knowledge of unique and/or rare library collections and their development, preservation, and/or maintenance
- Understanding of processes involved in the creation of digital collections
- Excellent communication, collaboration, and project management skills
- Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a team environment
- Demonstrated experience seeking grant and donor support
Preferred Qualifications
- Expertise in current technologies, platforms, and products that support distinctive collections activities.
- Knowledge of and/or experience with:
- archival best practices, principles, and current trends OR
- creative arts or art librarianship.
- Knowledge of current issues and trends impacting unique and/or rare library collections in academic libraries
About IUPUI and University Library
IUPUI, an urban-serving institution with a mission and a vision focused on both diversity and community engagement, has been the recipient of the prestigious Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) award from Insight into Diversity (the nation’s oldest higher education diversity publication) for twelve consecutive years. The campus has been recognized in recent years by Forbes Magazine as the #3 best employer for women in the state among universities, and the #4 best employer for diversity in Indiana. University Library is a Power of Libraries award winner and home to numerous award-winning professionals.
University Library is looking for librarians who will support our commitment to engage with the wider educational community through performance, professional development and service that are inclusive of the rich diversity of our campus and our city. We seek candidates who will not only enhance our representational diversity but whose research, teaching, and community engagement efforts contribute to diverse, equitable, and inclusive learning and working environments for our students, staff, and faculty.
IUPUI condemns racism in all its forms and has taken an anti-racist stance that moves beyond mere statements to interrogating its policies, procedures, and practices. We hope to identify individuals who will assist in our mission to dismantle racism so that everyone has the opportunity to succeed at IUPUI.
Compensation and Application
The minimum salary is $67,500, with additional funding for professional development and travel. Benefits include 22 vacation days, 10 paid holidays, health/dental insurance options, and retirement contributions of 10% to a Fidelity Investments retirement plan. A start-up package includes $10,000 for moving and ongoing professional development expenses.
This position is offered as open rank, with the opportunity to join the library at the Associate Librarian level, provided the candidate already has achieved this rank at a prior institution, or meets the IUPUI criteria for Associate Librarian rank.
Deadline for applications is March 15, 2024. The position is available no sooner than June 1, 2024. Please forward a CV, contact information for four references (include name, title, telephone number, and e-mail address) and a letter of application discussing your ability to advance the library’s Strategic Priorities, and the individual strengths you will bring to the position. Interested candidates should review the application requirements and submit their application at https://indiana.peopleadmin.com/postings/22925.
Questions regarding the position or application process can be directed to University Library Human Resources Specialist Joycelynn Marshall at the following email address: jomoakle@iu.edu.