ASSISTANT LIBRARIAN - SPECIAL COLLECTIONS LIBRARIAN

UNIVERSITY OF WYOMING 

JOB DESCRIPTION

The University of Wyoming invites diverse applicants to consider our employment opportunities.  We are also especially interested in candidates who have experience working with diverse populations and/or diverse initiatives. 

JOB TITLE:   

Assistant/Associate Librarian - Special Collections Librarian

JOB PURPOSE:   

The University of Wyoming invites applications for Special Collections Librarian. The Special Collections Librarian provides managerial and curatorial oversight for the University of Wyoming’s special collections and the Emmett D. Chisum reading room. This position facilitates use of special collections and other library materials for research and teaching and collaborates with other library faculty to provide instruction sessions, reference help, and related services. The Special Collections Librarian supervises a Library Specialist who is responsible for hiring, training, and supervising hourly reading room staff. 

Special Collections includes more than 50,000 published items, primarily related to the history and culture of Wyoming and the West.  Special Collections materials encompass a wide variety of subjects including National Parks, especially Yellowstone N.P.; African American history and experiences of the West; 19th and 20th century American Indian history, with special focus on Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes; tourism and recreation; and sheepherding and wool production.  

The successful candidate will work with departments across the University of Wyoming and serve users both from the university community and the public. 

This position reports to the assistant dean of Education & Research Services. Faculty rank (assistant or associate) will be determined at the point of hire.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:  

• Manage the day-to-day operations of the Emmett Chisum Special Collections reading room including supervising staff, scheduling, and establishing hours of operation
• Selectively acquire collection materials for teaching, research, and public programs 
• Provide research services to students, faculty, and scholars by developing research guides, answering reference questions, and facilitating access to materials in the collections
• Promote, publicize, and expand awareness of collections through exhibits, programs, displays, workshops, tours, and other methods
• Improve access to collections materials that bring new narratives to light and focus on under-represented voices and communities
• Collaborate with teaching faculty to develop assignments that utilize special collections resources; prepare and teach sessions
• Collaborate with Libraries leadership, Digital Collections, and other colleagues to identify areas for growth of born-digital and digitized collections aligned to collection development priorities
• Work with local, state, and national community partners and organizations to meet the university’s land grant mission of service to the state of Wyoming

SUPPLEMENTAL FUNCTIONS:  

As a member of the library faculty, the successful candidate is expected to pursue an active and ongoing program of research, service, and professional development. (https://www.uwyo.edu/regs-policies/_files/docs/regulations-2020/uw-reg-2-1-approved-10-14-20.pdf). Faculty rank (assistant or associate) will be determined at the point of hire.

UW Libraries are committed to building a culturally diverse workplace and strongly encourage applications from minority candidates, candidates with disabilities, and those with experience working in a multicultural environment.  Diversity resources for the University of Wyoming and the community of Laramie can be found at http://www.uwyo.edu/diversity/resources/.  For more information on UW Libraries, please visit https://www.uwyo.edu/libraries/. 

REMOTE WORK ELIGIBILITY:

This position provides vital support to campus customers and requires the successful candidate be available to work on campus.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:  

• MLIS or equivalent from an ALA-accredited institution by start date
• Excellent communication skills
• Demonstrated interest in special collections, rare books, and/or archives
• Knowledge of approaches that promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility within a complex organization and the desire to work effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds to create inclusive environments

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:  

• Supervisory experience
• Experience in selecting and acquiring library materials by purchase or donation
• Demonstrated experience providing reference service and/or teaching with collections in a library, museum, or archives setting
• Experience with the digitization of archives and special collections materials
• Degree in History, American Studies, Art History, or other cultural studies subject relevant to the Chisum Special Collections
• Certification in Museum Studies or Archives

REQUIRED MATERIALS:  

Complete the online application and upload the following for a complete application: cover letter, resume or C.V. and contact information for four work-related references.  

HIRING STATEMENT:  

UW is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Educator and Employer. We are committed to a multicultural environment and strongly encourage applications from women, minorities, veterans and persons with disabilities.   

In compliance with the ADA Amendments Act (ADAAA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation to apply for a position, please call 307-766-2377 or email jobapps@uwyo.edu.

This position will remain open until filled. Complete applications received by 10/17/2023 will receive full consideration. 

ABOUT LARAMIE:

The University of Wyoming is located in Laramie, a town of 30,000 in the heart of the Rocky Mountain West. The state of Wyoming continues to invest in its university, helping to make it a leader in academics, research and outreach. The university has state-of-the-art facilities in many areas and the community provides the advantages of a major university.

Located in a high mountain valley near the Colorado border, Laramie offers both outstanding recreational opportunities and close proximity to Colorado’s Front Range, a bustling group of metropolitan cities including Denver, Boulder, and Fort Collins. This beautiful mountain landscape offers outdoor enjoyment in all seasons, with over 300 days of sunshine annually. For more information about the region, please visit http://visitlaramie.org/