Transportation Studies Librarian

St. Louis Mercantile Library, University of Missouri-St. Louis

The St. Louis Mercantile Library is seeking a Transportation Studies Librarian at the level of Librarian II.  The Mercantile Library, now in its 177th year, holds historic archival, rare book and manuscript collections in the areas of trans-national as well as American, Missouri and regional histories, westward expansion, American business history, and exemplary transportation holdings in river and rail history as well as a distinguished collection of American and Missouri art. The Mercantile’ s collections form a prestigious historical research center for a wide array of readers.

The Transportation Studies Librarian reports to the McKnight Curator of Transportation Collections.  The Transportation Studies Librarian is an essential member of the Mercantile Library’s vibrant and dynamic curatorial team, a highly motivated ensemble that works collaboratively to collect, preserve, and by extension redefine American history for 21st century applications and research. The successful candidate for this position will catalog, organize, arrange, and make a wide array of interdisciplinary materials accessible for modern researchers in-person and world-wide. In support of the head curator of transportation collections, this position performs original and copy-cataloguing of our comprehensive transportation materials in all formats and processes archival and manuscript transportation materials, and will perform other tasks related to collections access and research.

Specific duties of the position include:

• Catalogue monographs, manuscripts, maps, serials, music, audiovisual and ephemera acquired for the transportation collections and addresses a cataloging backlog.
• Accession and process new transportation acquisitions and backlog holdings.
• Effectively communicate with team members and other members of the library community.
• Work in conjunction with the Thomas Jefferson Library Access Services department to ensure that the St. Louis Mercantile Library’s catalogue conforms to the requirements of the FOLIO system and any future software used for cataloguing material in the library.
• In collaboration with the McKnight curator, establish cataloguing priorities as well as design and implement project plans to achieve those priorities.
• Apply appropriate conservation measures to various items to ensure their proper storage when they are added to the transportation collections of the St. Louis Mercantile Library.
• Collaborate with the Thomas Jefferson Library Access Services Department as needed regarding Library cataloguing processes and software. 
• Manage student employees and volunteers from diverse backgrounds who assist with functions related to special collections cataloging and processing.
• Assist St. Louis Mercantile Library staff with events as required.
• Represent the St. Louis Mercantile Library on committees and task forces related to primary job assignment or at the request of the Director of the St. Louis Mercantile Library or Dean of UMSL Libraries.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• ALA-accredited master’s degree in Library and Information Science.
• 2 – 3 years of experience in cataloguing and processing special collections
• Working knowledge of online library systems, AACR2r, RDA, LCRI, LCSH, DCRM, MARC21 formats and authority control.
• Demonstrated knowledge of proper cataloguing, processing, preservation, and physical storage techniques for rare books, manuscripts, and other media types in a special collections environment.
• Ability to build and sustain effective interpersonal relationships with library staff, faculty, students, administrators, and members of the public.
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
•  Evidence of analytical, organization, communication, project, and time management skills and demonstrated ability to set priorities, meet deadlines and complete tasks and projects on time and within budget in accordance with task or project parameters.
• Demonstrated proficiency with personal computers and software, the internet and office applications including Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, Teams, PowerPoint, and other productivity software.
• Ability to work in a dynamic office environment with a diverse user base.
• Adherence to the Collected Rules and Regulations of the University of Missouri System.

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with FOLIO cataloguing software.
• Knowledge of American history, especially river and railroad history.
• Knowledge of book and publishing history and techniques.
• Experience in applied preservation and conservation techniques for various media types in a special collections environment.

Salary Range This is a non-tenure track faculty, benefit-eligible position at the level of Librarian II in the UMSL Libraries with a salary range between $52,476.08 to $57,000 per year based on experience.

Sponsorship Information

Visa Sponsorship Information: Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States. The University will not sponsor applicants for this position for employment visas.

Benefit Eligibility

This position is eligible for University benefits. As part of your total compensation, the University offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental and vision plans, retirement, and educational fee discounts for all four UM System campuses. For additional information on University benefits, please visit the Faculty & Staff Benefits website at https://www.umsystem.edu/totalrewards/benefits. 

How to Apply:

Application materials include a resume and cover letter describing your interest in the position as well as how your interests and experience align with the UM Values Statement. Please combine all application materials into one PDF or Microsoft Word document and upload as a resume attachment to the UMSL Job site: https://www.umsl.edu/services/hrs/careers/index.html Limit document name to 50 characters.  Maximum size limit is 11MB.  Do not include special characters (e.g., /, &, %, etc.). For questions about the application process, please email [email protected].

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