Director, Special Collections Research Center (Search Reopened)

Description

  The George Mason University Libraries seeks a dynamic, innovative, service-oriented, and experienced professional to lead its expanding and innovative Special Collections Research Center. In recent years, significant investments have been made in the SCRC, including personnel, technology, and other resources. Currently, personnel consist of: four professional faculty, three classified staff, one graduate research assistant, and occasionally grant-funded staff. Significant state-of-the-art growth has been achieved for the SCRC as part of Fenwick Library’s major expansion (150,000 sq.-ft.), which opened in January, 2016.

George Mason University has a strong institutional commitment to the achievement of excellence and diversity among its faculty and staff, and strongly encourages candidates to apply who will enrich Mason’s academic and culturally inclusive environment.

Responsibilities:
This position is responsible for the planning and management of the following: Special Collections; University Archives; University Records Management; Oral History Program; and coordination of a variety of digitization activities. In addition, the incumbent will contribute to grants writing projects, and work with potential donors of collections to the SCRC.

The Special Collections Research Center holds notable collections in the performing arts; transportation and planning; planned communities; peace and conflict; U.S. and Virginia government and politics; and other collections in humanities, social sciences, and STEM fields. Recently acquired collections of note include the C-SPAN archives, the “Booknotes” collection of Brian Lamb, the Partners for Livable Communities, the economics Nobel Laureate James M. Buchanan papers, the Center for Media and Public Affairs archives, and Congressional Papers of Tom Davis and Frank Wolf. Agreements have been made for the gifting of two other significant collections (Gilbert and Sullivan, and Historical Intelligence Collection).

Increasingly the SCRC’s collections are being utilized in graduate and undergraduate courses. The Director of the SCRC will also work closely with the Libraries’ Mason Publishing Group and Advancement staff.

This position reports to the Associate University Librarian for Resources and Collection Management Services.

Qualifications:
ALA-accredited MLS or ALA-recognized foreign equivalent; knowledge of metadata and intellectual control in the context of special collections and archives; significant demonstrated experience in special collections or archives in a university or research library; ability to work with faculty, students, visiting scholars, university administrators, and current and potential donors; significant managerial experience, including management of professional and paraprofessional staff; experience with digital library development in the context of special collections and archives including knowledge of EAD, imaging, and Web-based applications; excellent organizational, communication and interpersonal skills; strong service orientation; and collegial, team-focused, management orientation.

Preferred:
Advanced degree in an appropriate subject area; preservation management experience and knowledge of conservation practices; grants writing experience; and knowledge of the antiquarian book trade and the history of the book.

Appointment and Benefits:
Professional faculty appointment, 12-month. Health plan options and paid life insurance; several retirement plans including TIAA-CREF; 24 vacation days and 12 paid holidays; and tuition waiver for self.

The George Mason University library system, comprised of a large central library and four other distinctive libraries, is located on three campuses in the Northern Virginia-metropolitan Washington, D.C. region. One of Virginia’s leading academic research libraries, the Mason Libraries continues to gain steadily in national stature as it undergoes extensive transformation in all areas that are key to a 21st century research library – innovative technologies and services, expert library faculty and skilled staff members, growing collections, publishing, modern facilities, and transformational partnerships. Visit us at library.gmu.edu for more information.