Job Description

Curator of Rare Books and Maps, Special Collections Department
Specialist Librarian (PLB2) or Expert Librarian (PLB3)

The Libraries intends to hire for one position at either the Specialist Librarian classification (PLB2/4A), requisition #25002073, or the Expert Librarian classification (PLB3/5A), requisition #25002072, based on the qualifications of the successful candidate.

The University of Iowa Libraries seeks a collaborative and service-oriented librarian to serve as Curator of Rare Books and Maps with a primary focus on the history of the book prior to 1900, book arts, and cartography. Under the general direction of the Director of Special Collections and Archives, the Curator of Rare Books and Maps will develop, manage, promote, and make accessible collections focused on these areas, and will also work with archival collections with the same focus. In collaboration with the Lead Outreach and Instruction Librarian and the Lead Public Services Librarian, they will serve as the primary contact for many visiting classes and reference questions and will also contribute to departmental outreach to the university community.

Specific duties and responsibilities include:

• Curation and collection development: Curate rare book collections-especially those focused on the history of the book and book arts, and archival collections focused on the same-and the map collection, with responsibility for guiding collection development and collection management, including advising on cataloging and processing prioritization. Explore new areas for collection development and opportunities to expand on existing collection strengths, especially in ways that welcome a wider cross-section of the campus community.
• Resource management: Oversee and manage a budget allocation, working collaboratively with other curators. Monitor acquisitions-focused Special Collections gift funds and report on annual usage as appropriate. Contribute to department-level planning and the formulation of new policies and procedures.
• Collaboration and relationship building: Collaborate with colleagues working in areas of collection development, archival and manuscript processing, cataloging, preservation, digitization, and instruction. Maintain effective and productive relationships with campus units, vendors, professional colleagues, community groups, and/or other external partners. Liaise with donors and prospective donors, in coordination with the Director of Special Collections and Archives and the Associate Director of Advancement.
• Outreach and instruction: Interpret and promote the use of collection material through outreach activities to and instruction of undergraduate, graduate, and community classes. Plan pedagogical strategies or activities advancing course goals or aligning with visitor interests. Work with university faculty to increase usage of resources in support of learning and research. Assist with physical and digital exhibits, events, and programs.
• Reference: Support day-to-day operations in the department, including serving at the reference desk in the reading room. Provide reference services via phone, email, and in person on a variety of topics, especially when inquiries relate to personal areas of expertise and responsibilities.
• Professional engagement: Contribute to the profession through service, research, publishing, and/or teaching. Participate in and contribute to relevant library and University-wide activities and committees.

Required Education:

• ALA-accredited Master's degree in Library and Information Science, or a Master's degree or PhD in the History of the Book or similar (i.e. Print History, Print Culture, etc.).

Required Qualifications:

• Experience:
  • To be appointed at the Specialist Librarian classification (PLB2/4A): At least two years of professional experience working in a special collections environment, including the physical handling of rare books printed prior to 1900.
  • To be appointed at the Expert Librarian classification (PLB3/5A): At least four years of professional experience working in a special collections environment, including the physical handling of rare books printed prior to 1900.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a team-based setting where consultation, flexibility, collaboration and cooperation are essential.
• Demonstrated willingness to take on new challenges and opportunities with initiative and creativity.
• Ability to work independently and with others in an environment where flexibility, collaboration, consultation, and cooperation are essential.
• Demonstrated excellent interpersonal skills, evidence of strong written and oral communication skills.
• Demonstrated interest in professional development that will enhance the candidate's value to the Libraries, the University, and the profession.
• Demonstrated ability to support a welcoming and respectful environment in a job-related experience, an academic setting, and/or the community.

Desired Qualifications:

• Classwork, certification(s), concentration(s), or additional degree(s) in special collections, the history of the book, or other relevant disciplines.
• Ability to build and sustain key relationships with donors, researchers, faculty, students, staff, community and/or professional colleagues.
• Basic understanding of metadata standards and schemas for describing rare books and/or archives.
• Bibliographic knowledge of one or more languages in addition to English.
• Demonstrated understanding of the mission of a research university and the mission and functions of a large research library.

The Libraries intends to hire for one position at either the Specialist Librarian classification (PLB2/4A), requisition #25002073, or the Expert Librarian classification (PLB3/5A), requisition #25002072, based on the qualifications of the successful candidate. See experience qualification above.

Application Details:

In order to be eligible for interview, applicants must upload the following and mark them as "relevant files" when you upload the documents:

1. Cover letter that clearly addresses how you meet each of the required and any desired qualifications of this position. To ensure strongest consideration, applicants are encouraged to review all required qualifications and state directly how they meet each of them.
2. Current resume

The University of Iowa Libraries will be hiring at one of two classification levels within this requisition. You must indicate in your cover letter the classification (Specialist or Expert Librarian) you wish to be considered for or indicate both. See qualifications above for additional information about experience required for the different classifications.

This job ad will be posted through April 7, 2025, and may be removed from posting and filled any time after that date. Please contact andrea-rost@uiowa.edu if you have any questions about the position.

The hiring salary range for this position at the Specialist Librarian classification is $55,000 - $74,000 and at the Expert Librarian classification is $65,000 - 90,000.­­­­

Successful candidates will be required to self-disclose any conviction history and will be subject to a criminal background check and credential/education verification. Up to 5 professional references will be requested at a later step in the recruitment process.

This position is eligible for on-campus and/or hybrid remote work within Iowa, with the majority of work time being on campus, and will require a work arrangement form to be completed upon the start of your employment. Per policy, work arrangements will be reviewed annually, and must comply with the remote work program and related policies and employee travel policy when working at a remote location .

The University of Iowa is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment free from discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth and related conditions), disability, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, service in the U.S. military, sexual orientation, gender identity, or associational preferences.

About University of Iowa

With over 31,000 students, the University of Iowa is one of the nation's top public research universities, a member of the Big Ten conference and the Association of American Universities. The University of Iowa is composed of eleven colleges and is known around the world for its balanced commitment to the arts, sciences, and humanities. It is home to one of the nation's largest academic medical centers and the pioneering Iowa Writers' Workshop. The University of Iowa promotes work/life integration and is located in the casual yet cosmopolitan environment of Iowa City, widely recognized as one of the country's most livable communities.

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