John J. Burns Library, Boston College
Head of Special Collections Technical Services
The John J. Burns Library for rare books and archives at Boston College seeks an experienced, collaborative, forward-looking Head of Special Collections Technical Services. This new position has been created to accelerate the cataloging of rare books and other printed materials in order to facilitate their digitization and enhance their usage through the Boston College Libraries’ growing digital scholarship, instructional outreach, and exhibits programs.
Working closely with the Head of Archives and Head of Public Services as part of a newly formed Burns Library management team, the successful candidate will take strategic and programmatic approaches to her/his responsibilities, and help to foster a culture of collaboration that consistently delivers high levels of energy, performance, and impact. Reporting to the Associate University Librarian for Special Collections, the Head of Special Collections Technical Services will lead a team that includes a rare book cataloger, conservator, collections management assistant, and a generous budget for student assistants.
The Head will assess and establish cataloging workflows and ensure that they are well documented and in compliance with professional standards. S/he will coordinate with other Boston College Libraries units to improve local descriptive practices and processes to support special collections digitization projects. S/he will direct systematic reviews and enhancements of legacy metadata, address cataloging backlogs, coordinate acquisitions processing, and lead inventory control initiatives. S/he will occasionally perform original and/or complex cataloging. S/he will also work closely with the conservator and collections management assistant to develop and implement efficient preservation treatments, rehousing, storage, and retrieval solutions.
Applicants must have a master’s degree in library of information science from an ALA-accredited program or equivalent professional education. Preferred candidates will have at least 4 years of experience working in an academic or research library or archives in progressively responsible roles, including 3 or more years of supervisory and project management experience. Applicants should have expert knowledge of current and emerging standards pertaining to the creation and management of descriptive metadata for rare books and special collections, including, but not limited to, MARC, AACR2, RDA, and DCRM.
About Burns Library
The John J. Burns Library holds extraordinary collections in the areas of Irish history, literature, and music, the Society of Jesus (Jesuits), Catholicism, American Catholic life, British Catholic authors, Boston history and politics, and the Boston College University Archives. The Boston College Libraries are committed to making Burns Library’s special collections more widely known and used through research and digital scholarship, exhibitions and outreach programs, and curricular engagement.
About the Boston College Libraries
The Boston College Libraries are a member of the Association of Research Libraries, Center for Research Libraries, OCLC Research Library Partnership, HathiTrust, Boston Library Consortium, and other organizations that extend our reach globally.
To Apply
For more information and to apply, please visit: http://libguides.bc.edu/employment
As part of their online application, applicants should submit a current resume or curriculum vitae, cover letter, and list of references. References will not be contacted without prior permission. The salary range for this position is $73,950 – $92,450 depending on qualifications and experience. The priority deadline for applications is October 14, 2016, but the position will remain open until filled.
