[DCRM-L] Job Posting: Curator of Rare Books, Georgetown University Library

[Emily Baldoni]

Curator of Rare Books – Georgetown University Library

Located in a historic neighborhood in the nation's capital, Georgetown
offers rigorous academic programs, a global perspective, exciting ways to
take advantage of Washington, D.C., and a commitment to social justice. Our
community is a tight knit group of remarkable individuals interested in
intellectual inquiry and making a difference in the world.

The Georgetown University Library seeks a knowledgeable, creative, and
dynamic special collections librarian to curate and advance the scholarly
use of the rare books collections
<https://www.library.georgetown.edu/special-collections/rare-books> at the
Booth Family Center for Special Collections (BFCSC). Reporting to the BFCSC
Director and working collaboratively with the Center’s other unit heads,
the Curator of Rare Books contributes to the department’s instructional
program, reference and research services, and outreach initiatives. They
also engage Georgetown’s faculty and students, donors, and booksellers to
ensure that the development of the Booth holdings will support teaching,
learning, and research. Primary duties are centered on five major areas of
responsibilities - collection development; research, instruction, and
outreach; collection management; leadership, management, and planning; and
professional contributions and development - and include but are not
limited to:

Research, Instruction, and Outreach

   -

   Supports the department’s instructional services program through faculty
   outreach and teaching instructional sessions that support primary source
   literacy and research
   -

   Coordinates with faculty and colleagues in designing online research
   guides that highlight Booth holdings
   -

   Provides patron support by offering individual research consultation
   sessions
   -

   Answers rare books-related reference questions from Georgetown faculty,
   students, administrators, alumni, the media, and other researchers by
   email, chat, or phone
   -

   Works scheduled shifts at the Booth reading room, assisting researchers
   in the appropriate care and use of materials
   -

   Initiates and engages in outreach activities, such as curating
   exhibitions, developing public programs, and crafting social media posts
   -

   Identifies collections to be digitized to support instruction and
   research

Collection Development

   -

   Develops rare books collections by both purchase and gift, in line with
   the pedagogical and research needs of the University, as well as its
   existing collection strengths
   -

   Reviews and updates collection development policies and sets collecting
   priorities
   -

   Consults with faculty to learn about their research and instructional
   needs
   -

   Monitors collection development and scholarly publishing trends in
   research libraries
   -

   Serves on the department’s Acquisitions Committee to consider purchases
   and scan for new collecting opportunities
   -

   Monitors the rare books budget and documents all purchases in the
   assigned areas of responsibility
   -

   Works closely with the Booth Director in the cultivation and stewardship
   of library supporters, donors, and gifts

Collection Management

   -

   Advises on cataloging projects with the Library’s Metadata Services Unit
   -

   Monitors collection maintenance to provide access to holdings
   -

   Assists with environmental monitoring of collection storage areas to
   ensure long-term preservation of materials
   -

   Recommends items for conservation on an annual basis

Leadership, Management, and Planning

   -

   Provides leadership and supervision of the day-to-day operations of the
   rare books unit
   -

   Directs and coordinates activities and projects in the rare books unit;
   and provides leadership in formulating unit goals and ensuring that the
   goals are met.
   -

   Hires and manages staff, assigns work, sets goals and expectations,
   conducts performance evaluations, and provides constructive feedback to
   staff
   -

   Liaises with other Library departments

Professional Contributions and Development

   -

   Collaborates with Booth curators and staff, technologists, and
   digitization staff in an array of activities that will create strong,
   meaningful, and interdisciplinary opportunities for professional
   development and hands-on skills
   -

   Participates actively in professional organizations at the regional,
   national, and/or international level
   -

   Pursues opportunities for continued professional growth

Qualifications

   -

   An ALA-accredited Master’s degree in Library or Information Science
   and/or an advanced degree in a relevant discipline with special collections
   training, or equivalent education and experience
   -

   3+ years of professional experience working with rare books
   -

   Experience in evaluating gifts and purchasing items through book dealers
   -

   Demonstrated teaching experience and a familiarity with the pedagogical
   skills required to provide effective Special Collections instruction
   -

   Ability to articulate clearly the importance of primary source materials
   in the classroom and in scholarly communications across a broad range of
   researchers including students
   -

   Experience providing effective reference assistance to patrons of a
   research–oriented academic library
   -

   Knowledge of the history of books and printing and the principles of
   bibliography
   -

   Demonstrated knowledge of the description, access, and preservation of
   rare books collections
   -

   Excellent organizational and project management skills, accuracy, and
   attention to detail
   -

   Ability to undertake and sustain self-directed work on multiple projects
   at the same time
   -

   Strong interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills
   -

   Commitment to fostering an equitable and inclusive workplace, and an
   ability to work effectively with a diverse faculty, staff, and student
   population

Preferred Qualifications

   -

   Demonstrated familiarity in managing a collections budget and individual
   collection funds
   -

   Experience in working with donors
   -

   Knowledge of digital humanities resources, and the integration of
   scholarly research material within the digital environment in support of
   innovative scholarship and discovery
   -

   Proven ability in supervising and training student workers, interns,
   and/or term employees

Work Mode: Hybrid 4 Days on site. Please note that work mode designations
are regularly reviewed in order to meet the evolving needs of the
University. Such review may necessitate a change to a position’s mode of
work designation. Complete details about Georgetown University’s mode of
work designations for staff and AAP positions can be found on the
Department of Human Resources Mode of Work Designation
<https://hr.georgetown.edu/mode-of-work-designation/>.

Salary: $60,000 to $75,000

For more information and to apply, please visit:
https://georgetown.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/Georgetown_Admin_Careers/job/Lauinger-Library-5th-Floor/Curator-of-Rare-Books---Georgetown-University-Library_JR12284



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*Emily BaldoniMetadata Librarian, Digital and Special
Collections202-687-3356Emily.Baldoni at georgetown.edu
<Emily.Baldoni at georgetown.edu>pronouns: she/her/hers*
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