Head, Archives & Special Collections

Position Responsibilities

Administration

• Identifies and establishes the goals and objectives of the department in support of the mission of the Health Sciences Library and the Columbia University Irving Medical Center.
• Provides leadership, sets priorities, and develops policies and procedures to ensure the organization, preservation, and use of the collections, ensuring that it is accessible to a wide range of users.
• Manages Archives staff, overseeing their recruitment, hiring, and training.
• Works with library management and CUIMC Development Office to identify and pursue funding opportunities and cultivate donors.
• Participates in relevant local, regional, and national professional organizations.
• Maintains knowledge of current trends in archives.

Collections

• Works with CUIMC administrators and faculty, as well as individual donors, to acquire and develop materials of permanent historical and research value for documenting the history and functions of the Medical Center, New York City as well as the history of the health sciences in general.
• Identifies, selects, and purchases materials that enhance A&SC collections.
• Oversees processing and preservation activities, according to recognized standards.
• Identifies funding and creates policies and procedures to ensure that born-digital and web-based materials of archival value are preserved and made accessible to users.
• Develops and executes projects to digitize appropriate portions of the collection to enhance access and preserve content.

Outreach

• Engages with CUIMC faculty, staff, and students, as well as to the external researchers and wider academic community, through programming, exhibits, instruction, and other appropriate outreach activities.
• Supervises and provides information services to both internal and external users.
• Manages and contributes to the department's website and social media.

Minimum qualifications

• Master's degree in library/information science, master’s degree in history with an archival concentration, or a relevant advanced degree with a certificate in archives.
• Three years of professional experience working in an academic archive, or special collections department
• Demonstrated knowledge of collection development for archives, rare books, and special collections; of archival principles and preservation techniques; and of contemporary and emerging digital and archival standards
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Experience in providing reference and outreach services and developing programs/exhibits.
• Record of engagement with professional groups and activities and/or contributions to professional or scholarly literature.

Preferred qualifications

• Three years of managerial/supervisory experience
• Demonstrated expertise in the history of medicine or the history of science.
• Experience with soliciting grants and managing grant-funded projects.
• Record of engagement with donors and demonstrated commitment to future donor development.

Application Instructions

Applicants must supply CV and cover letter for consideration.  Applications will be open until the position is filled.  For priority consideration, apply before January 2, 2024.