Assistant/Associate Professor - Special Collections Librarian

Description

Job Summary
The Special Collections (SPC) Department at Milner Library holds archival materials including diaries, scrapbooks, institutional and organizational records, circus route books, ledgers, correspondence, photographs, books, works on paper, posters and broadsides, and circus costumes. Reporting to the Head of Special Collections, this position is responsible for conducting instructional sessions with ISU faculty and staff, teaching students in multiple programs of study, coordinating outreach and programming, and providing reference and research assistance.

Special Collections maintains a secure environment with limited hours. The hours worked for this position will typically be 8am to 4:30pm, Monday-Friday, with some evening and weekend hours required.

The Special Collections Librarian prepares and provides class instruction on the use and interpretation of materials held in the SPC and other relevant materials. The role is also responsible for outreach, programming, and exhibits related to special collections, responds to research queries related to materials held by the SPC, and participates in library, university, and professional service and governance as appropriate.

Illinois State University Faculty Appointment, Salary, Promotion and Tenure Policies and Milner Library’s College and Department Faculty Status Committee’s Criteria for Evaluation, Promotion, and Tenure.

Additional Information
Illinois State University, IllinoisState.edu, was founded in 1857 as Illinois’ first public university. We enroll approximately 21,000 students in six colleges. Our new strategic plan, Excellence by Design: 2024-2029, lists our seven core values: Excellence in Teaching, Learning, and Scholarship; Individualized Attention; Equity, Diversity, Access, and Belonging; Collaboration; Community and Civic Engagement; Respect; and Integrity. By acting on these values, we create a learning environment that results in our university being the first-choice public university in Illinois for high-achieving, motivated students who seek an individualized educational experience combined with the resources of a large university. Learn more about Illinois State’s Metrics of Excellence at IllinoisState.edu/PointsofPride.

Bloomington-Normal: Illinois State University is located in the growing twin cities of Bloomington and Normal, with a metro population of approximately 172,000. The community is also home to Illinois Wesleyan University, Heartland Community College, St. Joseph Medical Center, Carle BroMenn Medical Center, COUNTRY Financial, State Farm Insurance’s International Headquarters, Central Illinois Regional Airport, and electric truck manufacturer Rivian Motors. The community has distinguished itself for its outstanding school systems, and its citizens’ high level of educational attainment, as well as its parks and recreation, health care, vibrant fine arts scene, job growth, economic opportunity, historic sites, and low crime rates. Bloomington made Livability’s top 100 Best Places to Live (2024) and ranked No. 3 on College Values Online’s list of Best Small College Towns in America (2024). Bloomington-Normal is conveniently located about three hours from Indianapolis; two hours from both Chicago and St. Louis; and an hour from Peoria, Champaign-Urbana, Decatur, and Springfield. Many of these locations are accessible from Bloomington-Normal via Amtrak, which is located one block from Illinois State’s campus. For more information on our community, visit visitbn.org.

Salary Rate / Pay Rate
The salary starts at $68,000 (minimum) and is commensurate with qualifications and experience, including 24 vacation days and 11 paid holidays per year.

Preferred Qualifications
At least two years’ experience in the special collections area of an academic library.
Experience supporting the digital humanities/scholarship projects of others or conducting them personally.
Experience planning, curating, and installing exhibits.
Experience engaging users via social media, print literature, and digital projects.
Experience creating metadata, finding aids, indexes, bibliographies, or other tools to aid scholars in accessing materials.

Proposed Starting Date
07/01/2025

Required Applicant Documents
Cover letter
C.V. or resume
References (at least three professional references with email addresses and phone numbers)

Please Note: These documents are required to be submitted online in order to complete the application process. Please have these documents ready prior to clicking on "Apply"

Special Instructions for Applicants
For full consideration, please apply by October 14, 2024

Contact Information for Applicants
Rachel Scott, [email protected]

Important Information for Applicants
This position is subject to a criminal background investigation and if applicable, an employment history review, based on University Policy 3.1.30 and any offer of employment is contingent upon you passing a satisfactory criminal background investigation and/or an employment history review. You may not begin work until the criminal background investigation results have been received and cleared by Human Resources.

Illinois State University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

If you are an individual with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or other state or federal law you may request an accommodation by contacting the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access at (309) 438-3383. The Office of Equal Opportunity and Access will hold any confidential information you provide in confidence.

If you are having difficulty accessing the system, please call Human Resources at (309) 438-8311.

Requirements

Required Qualifications
Advanced degree from an American Library Association accredited graduate program or an ALA-recognized international equivalent.
Excellent oral, writing, and interpersonal skills.
Experience with or coursework in special collections librarianship.
Experience providing teaching or training.
Interest in and willingness to learn about circus, children’s books, and other topical areas well-represented in Milner Library’s Special Collections.
For teaching positions, state law mandates demonstrable oral proficiency in the English language as a requirement for this position.