Assistant University Librarian of Distinctive Collections - The University of Chicago

The University of Chicago Library empowers users with extensive expertise, innovative programs, diverse spaces, and deep and rich collections. We are committed to cultivating an inclusive community, enhancing access to scholarly resources, advancing digital scholarship, engaging locally and globally, and excelling in a changing environment. The Library recently launched a new strategic plan, with pillars situating the Library in a connected and open global knowledge environment.

We are seeking an experienced, respected, and transformative leader for our Assistant University Librarian (AUL) of Distinctive Collections position. Reporting to and working in close partnership with the Deputy University Librarian, the AUL will oversee and lead the daily operations and programmatic needs of a newly created division aligned with the Library's new vision and strategy and includes the following departments: the Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center, Preservation/Conservation, Area Studies, and the East Asia Collection, with a total of ~34 staff and additional student employees, ensuring the needs of a world-leading university in a rapidly evolving environment are met.

The University of Chicago Library's collections span a variety of topics, regions and time periods, with strengths documenting the history of science and medicine, Chicago Jazz, and Homeric editions and translations, among many other areas of distinction. Our world-renowned area studies collections support innovative teaching and ground-breaking research on East Asia; Latin America and the Caribbean; the Middle East; Eastern Europe and Eurasia; and South Asia. Demand for instructional sessions in Special Collections utilizing collections from all areas of this new division continues to grow.

The successful candidate will direct the development and implementation of a distinctive collections strategy aligned with the Library's new strategic pillars, particularly those focusing on the open scholarly environment; further integrate the Library's collections into the academic life of the University; guide development of a new exhibitions strategy; collaborate with colleagues to address current and future collections storage needs; advance efforts to describe and make accessible the Library's rich collections; and contribute to a fundraising strategy to raise the profile of the University's distinctive collections and related expertise, among other priorities. Key collaborators around the Library include but are not limited to: Collections Strategy, Technical Services, Development, and Digital Strategy. Key campus collaborators include: Division of the Humanities, Chicago Forum, Smart Museum, Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures, and the Neubauer Collegium for Culture and Society, among others.

This is an opportunity for a forward-thinking and collaborative leader to unify our strengths under a coordinated strategy supporting the growth, promotion, and transformative use of these distinctive materials in the curriculum and in the larger community, and to advance the University's values around inquiry, engagement and impact.

Responsibilities

• Set strategic division goals and form an effective and coordinated division with a welcoming, inclusive, collaborative, and innovative working culture aligned with Library goals.
• Supervise four direct reports and provide mentoring and support for the professional development of all staff in the division.
• Oversee budgets for the division, making equitable and strategic decisions on resource allocation and investments.
• Oversee core elements of the division's operation and programmatic activities, including the development of a comprehensive and sustainable strategy to foster the curation and use of special, distinctive, and archival collections on and beyond the campus.
• Collaborate on the development of a Library-wide content strategy that emphasizes meeting user needs locally and globally.
• Contribute to the development of a long-term approach to collection storage for print material, considering changing user needs and that the Library's storage facilities are already beyond capacity.
• Partner with the Associate University Librarian for Digital Strategy & Services to develop relevant service portfolios.
• Collaborate with the Associate Dean of Development and Strategic Initiatives to contribute to a sustainable fundraising strategy for the new division and routinely participate in the Library's donor and prospect engagement activities.
• Represent the Library within and beyond the campus, internally on relevant committees and projects, externally in key partnerships such as the Big Ten Academic Alliance and IvyPlus Libraries Confederation.
• Create a robust network of campus partnerships to raise the profile of the Library's distinctive collections and related expertise, inform strategies, and improve academic services, including through the development of new degree granting programs offered in partnership with the Library.
• Serve on the Deputy University Librarian's Council and Library Leadership Council, providing guidance on the Library's overall strategy around collections and user services.
• Ensure the division's services are inclusive and accessible to all users.

Qualifications

Required

• Master's degree in library science (MLIS) from an ALA-accredited institution or an advanced degree in a related subject area with relevant library experience.
• Minimum of five years of management experience in a library or cultural heritage environment, including experience with strategic planning and implementation.
• Superior leadership skills within and across teams and institutions - with proven ability to cultivate, maintain, and steward relationships across a range of professional communities and levels.
• Demonstrated understanding of the role of special and distinctive collections and archives in an academic library setting, as well as the unique challenges of collecting and making these materials accessible.
• Demonstrated understanding of current and emerging trends, issues, and best practices in the management of distinctive collections with a strong commitment to discovery and transformative use of these collections, including through digital and physical exhibitions.
• Demonstrated experience supporting and cultivating the development and advancement of a highly motivated staff.
• Sophisticated communication skills, including public speaking and writing, and experience interacting with the press and marketing and development professionals.
• Ability to cultivate and sustain donor relations.

Preferred

• Successful track-record developing, writing, and managing grants.
• Demonstrated history of innovation and forward-thinking initiatives in library settings.
• National or international experience in the archival, special collections or area studies librarianship fields.
• Proven track record of relevant scholarly, professional, or creative accomplishments.

Application Instructions

To Apply: Submit cover letter, curriculum vitae, and reference contact information online through the University of Chicago's Academic Recruiting website: http://apply.interfolio.com/165865. Review of applications will begin after May 2, 2025. Screening of applications will continue until the position is filled or the search is closed.

Salary and Benefits: $150,000 - $160,000 annually. The position also includes a relocation allowance for qualifying expenses.

The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits, programs, and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-834-3988 or email equalopportunity@uchicago.edu with their request.