Special Collections Librarian at Binghamton University

Binghamton University is a world-class institution that unites more than 130 broadly interdisciplinary educational programs with some of the most vibrant research in the nation. Our unique character – shaped by outstanding academics, facilities and community life – promotes extraordinary student success.

Binghamton merges rigorous academics, distinguished faculty and state-of-the-art facilities to engage and challenge its 17,000 students. The high-achieving Binghamton student body also represents a great diversity of life experiences, from first-generation college-goers to international students. Beyond their talent, these classmates share a desire to shape the future through technology, insight, intellectual exploration and community service.

Job Description:
Binghamton University Libraries invite applications for a tenure-track position as Special Collections Librarian. The successful candidate will promote the discovery and use of Binghamton University’s collection of rare books and manuscripts as an integral part of the Libraries’ research and teaching resources and programs. The special collections librarian will work with faculty and students in a variety of disciplines across the curriculum, and provide specialized reference, access, outreach, programming, and instruction services as a part of the special collections team. Special Collections includes significant rare book, archival, manuscript, art and realia collections as well as the University Archives.

The position reports to the Head of Special Collections, with the Director of Library Systems and Special Collections as second-line supervisor. Librarians at Binghamton University are members of the tenure-track
faculty and are expected to contribute significantly to the profession.

Position Duties and Responsibilities:
Primary
• Provide  research assistance to patrons in the reading room and
remotely
• Collaborate with teaching faculty to promote student research and integrate Special Collections into their curricula. Serve as a key instructor and support for teaching with the rare book collections
• Develop special programming, physical and online exhibitions, and social media and web content to highlight the collections
• Support broad access to the print collections including prioritizing backlogged and under-described material, working closely with the Cataloging Department; and identifying potential digitization projects in collaboration with the Digital Initiatives Department
• Train and supervise student assistants and interns
• Engage in collection management activities
• Participate in library and university committees
• Pursue scholarly growth through participation in professional library and bibliographic organizations, research, presentations, and publication

Additional
• Arrange and describe manuscript collections
• Manage the special collections stacks and work with the Preservation Department to ensure proper housing, environmental conditions and handling of materials
• Work with the Head of Special Collections and Library Development
staff to identify funding opportunities
• Assist in maintaining statistics on circulation, collection use, and publications resulting from the use of collections
• Serve as a subject bibliographer, as needed

Requirements:
Minimum Qualifications
• ALA-accredited Master’s degree in library and information science
• Knowledge and understanding of the history of the book, book arts, special collections librarianship, and the rare book market
• One year of experience working in a special collections library or
archive
• Experience in the instruction of special collections and other primary
sources
• Experience working with library patrons in person and remotely
• Familiarity with standards for describing and/or cataloging printed, manuscript, and archival collections
• Demonstrated initiative, flexibility, and excellent analytical, interpersonal, and communication skills in a team environment
• Creative public programming, social media, and exhibition curation experience
• Demonstrated ability to organize and prioritize multiple projects and meet deadlines with minimal supervision
• History of successful collaboration with colleagues working in areas such as collection development, archival and manuscript processing, rare book cataloging, preservation, and digitization
Preferred Qualifications
• Experience using collections management, content management, and/or integrated library systems
• Knowledge of descriptive bibliography
• Reading knowledge of Latin, Italian, and/or French
• Record of scholarly research and professional achievement
Physical Requirements
• Ability to lift moderately heavy boxes and books and move items to and from shelves
• Ability to tolerate moderate levels of dust generated during normal activities and movement of objects

Additional Information:
The State University of New York is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.  It is the policy of Binghamton University to provide for and promote equal opportunity employment, compensation, and other terms and conditions of employment without discrimination on the basis of age, race, color, religion, disability, national origin, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, veteran or military service member status, marital status, domestic violence victim status, genetic predisposition or carrier status, or arrest and/or criminal conviction record unless based upon a bona fide occupational qualification or other exception.

As required by Title IX and its implementing regulations Binghamton University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the educational programs and activities which it operates.  This requirement extends to employment and admission.  Inquiries about sex discrimination may be directed to the University Title IX Coordinator or directly to the Office of Civil Rights (OCR).  Contact information for the Title IX Coordinator and OCR, as well as the University’s complete Non-Discrimination Notice may be
found here.

Pursuant to Executive Order 161, no State entity, as defined by the Executive Order, is permitted to ask, or mandate, in any form, that an applicant for employment provide his or her current compensation, or any prior compensation history, until such time as the applicant is extended a conditional offer of employment with compensation.  If such information has been requested from you before such time, please contact the Governor’s Office of Employee Relations at (518) 474-6988 or via email at
 info@goer.ny.gov.

Binghamton University is a tobacco-free campus effective August 1, 2017.

Application Instructions:
Interested candidates should submit the following items electronically 
to http://binghamton.interviewexchange.com: (1) a letter of application addressing the qualifications; (2) curriculum vitae and (3) contact information for three references who can speak authoritatively concerning the applicant’s candidacy.

Salary is commensurate with experience. The search will remain open until the position is filled.