Professor of Library Science

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Jay I. Kislak Chair and Curator

Special Collections, University of Miami Libraries

The University of Miami Libraries (UML) is seeking an individual to provide curatorial vision, direction and sustained innovative programming for the Kislak Collection of Exploration and Navigation of the Kislak Center at Miami. The Jay I. Kislak Chair and Curator will be responsible for ensuring preservation, intellectual access, exhibition, and public programming, as well as ongoing collection development for all thematic components of the Kislak Collection of Exploration and Navigation at the University of Miami. Reporting to the Head of Special Collections, the Kislak Chair will foster, inspire, and support and collaborative collection building as well as scholarly and public engagement with Kislak collections and programming at affiliated programs of the University of Pennsylvania, Library of Congress, and Miami Dade College.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities:

Scholarship and Institutional Leadership.

Provide leadership in developing and executing interpretive activities such as exhibitions, writing, speaking, tours, and teaching that promote a greater understanding of the Kislak Collection of Exploration and Navigation.

Participates in development activities in support of the Kislak Collection and Kislak Center and in preparation of grant applications.

Select rare books, manuscripts, maps, photographs, and other media within the subject area of the early Americas to expand and strengthen the Kislak Collection of the Early Americas, Exploration and Navigation.

Build relationships with associates in the book and auction market.

Provide specialized reference support for researchers working in the Kislak Collection and related material in Special Collections, collaborating closely with Kislak Center reference and research services faculty and staff.

Engage in research and publishing activities that promote the Kislak Collection including the production of scholarly contributions through articles, book chapters and other relevant research outputs. 

Co-teach courses at the invitation of university departments on topics that draw directly upon the Kislak Collection and related material in Special Collections.

Mentors undergraduates participating in the Library Research Scholars program on projects related to the Kislak Collection. 

Develop and oversee the Kislak Center at the University of Miami Graduate Fellows program.

Contribute to the broader institutional mission and work of the Kislak Center by participating in regular meetings with the Center's curatorial group, serving on University of Miami Libraries committees, and collaborating with colleagues across the Center, Libraries and University.

Collaborate with Preservation Services staff to establish treatment priorities.

Collaborate with Metadata and Discovery Services staff and Digital Strategies staff to promote enhanced access to the collections by consulting on cataloging and digitization priorities and projects, including grant-funded initiatives.

Represent the Kislak Center within professional and scholarly communities related to early modern book and manuscript history. 

Serve as a liaison with relevant faculty at the University of Miami.

The Chair manages discretionary funds to facilitate education and research activities pertaining to the Kislak Collection.

Kislak Partnership. Serve as UM lead in coordinating exhibitions and public programs under the rubric of South Florida’s partnership across the Kislak Foundation, University of Miami, and Miami Dade College.

Collaborate with national partners at Miami Dade College, the University of Pennsylvania, the Library of Congress, and the Kislak Foundation to ensure that the public impact of the generosity of Jay I. Kislak and the Kislak Foundation is both sustained and amplified through coordinated collection development, digitization, preservation, exhibition, public programming, teaching, undergraduate mentorship, research, and scholarship.

Communicate and work closely with the Special Collections team in potential projects including designing and implementing cross-institutional and traveling exhibits; use the combined technology and expertise of Kislak network partner institutions to create unified digital exhibits and collection portals; foster coordinated public programming around the Collection themes across the Kislak network and beyond.

Required Qualifications:                                                              

• The successful candidate will qualify for appointment at the rank of Librarian Professor, the highest rank within the library faculty series.
• Graduate degree in library science from an ALA-accredited institution, archival science degree or an equivalent combination of relevant advanced degree and library and archives experience.
• Knowledge and competencies required to build distinctive collections with the particular focus of the Kislak Collection of the Early Americas, Exploration and Navigation.
• Knowledge and understanding of key issues and trends in special collections and archives in large academic research libraries.
• Experience managing and leading a team.
• Experience in collection development, especially working with rare books, maps, manuscripts, and dealers.
• Demonstrated skill in providing high quality, user-centered research support services, preferably in an academic library.
• Demonstrated ability to design projects and bring them to conclusion in a timely fashion.
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work collegially and effectively with faculty, staff, and students.
• Evidence of continued professional development.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Advanced degree (master’s or doctoral) in a subject or discipline relevant to Kislak Collection.
• Evidence of active engagement in research and a record of publishing in their field.

Context:

The University of Miami (www.miami.edu) is one of the nation’s leading research universities in a community of extraordinary diversity and international vitality. The University is a privately supported, non-sectarian institution located in Coral Gables, Florida, on a 260-acre subtropical campus with operations at two additional locations throughout the greater Miami region: Medical campus (downtown Miami) and the Marine and Atmospheric Science campus (Virginia Key). The University comprises eleven degree granting schools and colleges, including Architecture, Arts and Sciences, Business Administration, Communication, Education and Human Development, Engineering, Law, Medicine, Music, Nursing and Health Sciences, and Marine and Atmospheric Science.

The Kislak Center at Miami is home to the Special Collections and University Archives of the University of Miami Libraries (www.library.miami.edu).  Special Collections acquires, preserves, and provides access to rare and unique scholarly resources.  Special Collections houses an outstanding array of scholarly resources including collections of rare books, manuscripts, photographs, maps, architectural drawings, prints, broadsides, posters, audio-visual materials, newspapers and journals, and other research materials. Prized collections include the Kislak Collection of the Early Americas, Exploration and Navigation, the Rare Books Collection, the Helen C. Purdy Florida Collection, the Jackie Gleason Collection, the Artist Book Collection, the Marvin and Ruth Sackner Archive of Concrete and Visual Poetry, and the Counterculture Collection. University Archives is the official UM repository of records documenting the institution’s history. University Archives identifies, collects, preserves materials that have enduring historical value, makes them accessible, and promotes their use to the University community, alumni, and members of the community beyond the University. 

The Kislak Collection of the Early Americas, Exploration and Navigation was assembled by Jay I. Kislak, prominent collector, philanthropist, and Miami resident for more than 60 years. The overarching theme is exploration and cultural encounters with a particular emphasis on Florida, early American history, and the cultures of the Caribbean, Latin America, and Polar exploration. The Collection includes some of the most important primary source materials related to the history of the early Americas. The Collection gift is enhanced by a partnership agreement with Miami Dade College and the Kislak Foundation promoting exhibitions, research, education, and public outreach, all designed to serve students and faculty, residents of the local community, and a global scholarly network.

Salary and Benefits:

This is a senior-level library faculty position. The successful candidate will qualify for appointment at the rank of Librarian Professor, the highest rank within the library faculty series.  Senior library faculty are hired on five-year, renewable contracts. A graduate degree in library science from an ALA-accredited institution, archival science degree or an equivalent combination of relevant advanced degree and library and archives experience is required. Appointments at the Librarian Associate Professor rank and above are typically five-year, renewable contracts. Compensation will be competitive and will be commensurate with the experience and qualifications of the person selected. The University of Miami offers a comprehensive benefits package: paid pension plan; partially paid medical and dental insurance plans; life, disability, and long-term care insurance available; tuition remission; thirteen paid holidays; and twenty-two days annual vacation. Additional employment benefits available include credit union; Employee Assistance Program; bookstore and sporting event discounts; and optional fee-based membership in a state-of-the-art wellness center. Moving allowance is available. No state or local income taxes.

Applications: Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Applications should be submitted here and must include a letter of interest, curriculum vitae, and the names of three references in one document.

The University of Miami is an Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action Employer. The University has a strong commitment to diversity and encourages applications from candidates of diverse cultural backgrounds.

The University of Miami is an Equal Opportunity Employer - Females/Minorities/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities are encouraged to apply. Applicants and employees are protected from discrimination based on certain categories protected by Federal law. Click here for additional information.

The University of Miami is an Equal Opportunity Employer - Females/Minorities/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities are encouraged to apply. Applicants and employees are protected from discrimination based on certain categories protected by Federal law. Click here for additional information.

Job Status:

Full time

Employee Type:

Faculty

In your application, please refer to Professorpositions.com