Collections and Engagement Librarian

Colby College Libraries is seeking a faculty librarian to join our team in Special Collections & Archives (SC&A). The Collections & Engagement Librarian works within SC & A, the libraries, across campus, and in regional community spaces to develop and promote innovative collections, programs, and projects that expand understanding about and conversations around primary and unique resources at Colby College and within the Waterville community.

The Collections and Engagement Librarian provides collection and subject-specific research, consultation, and mentoring for all levels of researchers using primary sources in our manuscript and published collections. This position collaborates with all department colleagues, particularly with the Archives Education Librarian, the Visual Interdisciplinary Arts Librarian, and the Digital Archives Librarian.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

As a member of the SC&A team, this position reports to the Associate Director and Head of Special Collections & Archives. Core responsibilities include:

• Manage, prioritize, and steward collections, including manuscript collections, rare books, and other materials.
• Catalog materials, including original/rare books cataloging, using archival and library standards.
• Collaborate with the department's teaching program in coordination with the Archives Education Librarian
• Participate in collection development in collaboration with the Head of Special Collections & Archives, Archives Education Librarian, Visual and Interdisciplinary Arts Librarian, and other department and campus colleagues. Includes researching and identifying materials and resources for acquisition as they relate to the departments collecting policy.
• Develop programming around our book and manuscript collections
• Use the collections in new and exciting ways to create meaningful opportunities for engagement with special collections materials.
• Activate exploration of SC&A primary sources as an important component of engagement on campus and within the regional community.
• Promote SC&A collections and participate in physical and virtual exhibitions to strengthen and build connections and relationships between the Colby Libraries/SC&A and the campus and local communities.
• Provide in-depth research assistance using SC&A collections and materials.
• Partner, network, and engage with campus and local communities.
• Manage and sustain donor relationships and cultivate new donor relationships.
• Actively engage in a scholarly and/or creative agenda that is attuned to work in special collections librarianship, critical librarianship, and/or the special collections and archival fields and that demonstrates continued growth as a professional.
• Contribute centrally to the Libraries efforts in diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility, including metadata reparation.
• Serve on a variety of library-wide and college-wide committees to engage within the college ecosystem in capacities beneficial to the mission of the Libraries and the College.
• Collaborate with CBB (Colby-Bates-Bowdoin) and other Maine library colleagues.

As this is a faculty librarian position, an MLS or equivalent is required.

KEY RELATIONSHIPS

The Collections and Engagement Librarian engages regularly and closely with the SC&A team and with other colleagues and teams in the Colby Libraries. Additionally, the Librarian initiates and maintains relationships across campus with entities that help advance the Libraries work. The Librarian also creates and strengthens relationships with departments and staff across campus, alumni, downtown partners, and professional peers throughout Maine and beyond.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

May oversee hourly staff, student employees, contract/grant supported personnel, interns, and volunteers.

REQUIRED Qualifications:

• ALA-accredited masters degree in library science or equivalent combination of education and professional experience
• Two or more years of professional academic library or archives experience
• Demonstrated experience in collection development and management
• Demonstrated archival processing and book cataloging experience
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills
• Ability to work independently and as a member of a team, establish priorities, and work collaboratively as a member of a diverse community
• Demonstrated experience, knowledge, and/or scholarship in inclusion, diversity, social justice, and anti-racism work

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience or interest in working with local communities and managing collaborative projects and programming
• Proficiency with new technology in an educational or library setting
• Documented professional engagement
• Working knowledge of one or more non-English languages

Application Instructions

Interested candidates should submit a letter of application that describes their interest in, and qualifications for, this position. Applicants must also submit a current curriculum vitae, and the names of three references (these will not be contacted without prior notice to the candidate). All materials should be submitted as PDFs through Interfolio at http://apply.interfolio.com/163478 Application review will begin March 7, 2025, and will continue until the position is filled. Inquiries about this position can be directed to [email protected].