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Center for Public Partnerships & Research · 3 weeks ago

Curator of African American Experience Collections

Topeka Metropolitan Area

Full-time

Onsite

Mid, Senior Level

The Center for Public Partnerships & Research at the University of Kansas is seeking a creative and collaborative curator for their African American Experience Collections. The role involves building and sharing collections that reflect the lives and experiences of African Americans, as well as collaborating with faculty and students to enhance teaching and research initiatives.

Higher Education

Responsibilities

Builds relationships with individuals, families, and social, business, and political communities across the state to develop African American Experience collections through purchases and donations

Consults with and supports organizations, individuals, and communities that wish to preserve and document their collections locally

Partners with library and university colleagues to integrate original resources and perspectives into classes across the KU curriculum, and to strengthen students’ primary source literacy

Participates in developing and delivering instructional and outreach programming and activities including classes and tours; physical and virtual exhibits; and posts for Spencer Library’s shared blog

Plans and staffs outreach events and activities to promote knowledge and use of the African American experience collections, including traveling exhibits and presentations to potential users and donors, groups, clubs, etc

Serves as a public point of contact for this collection, including inquiries from the media, and demonstrates the ability to advocate for the importance of historical materials in understanding the past, present, and future

Shares in providing reference assistance to students, faculty, and the public, and consults on reference requests in assigned areas of responsibility

Works collaboratively with colleagues across the Libraries to promote the collections through digital initiatives, social media, community events, K-12 outreach, tours, and other means

Works collaboratively as a member of project teams and other groups to advance the libraries’ strategic priorities

Works collaboratively with faculty and other librarians to design and deliver library instruction to students

Contributes to the profession’s collective knowledge by engaging in scholarly research activity

Engages in service to the Libraries, the University and to professional organizations by participating in committee work, projects, and other contributory achievements

Qualification

ALA-accredited master's degreeArchival certificationOutreach with communitiesWorking with archival repositoryUnderstanding American StudiesPublic outreachReference assistanceCollaborative skills

Required

ALA-accredited master's degree in library and information science or equivalent from a foreign institution by date of appointment OR a PhD in library and information science from an LIS program that also offered an ALA-accredited master's degree at the time the PhD was awarded

In the specialized field of archives, a graduate degree (e.g., master's or PhD, depending on position requirements) in an appropriate field OR an archival certification by the Academy of Certified Archivists may be considered

Appointment at the Associate Librarian rank requires a review of the candidate's materials to ensure work at the level documented in KU Libraries Criteria for Academic Ranks of Library Faculty

This position requires a formal degree in the cited discipline area(s) to ensure that candidates have the foundational knowledge and skill set required to perform the duties of the position

Preferred

Outreach with African American communities, organizations, and learning the history in the region

Working with an archival repository or special collections environment, historical society, or museum

Understanding relevant subject areas, such as American Studies, African American Studies, or History

Company

Center for Public Partnerships & Research

At CPPR, we tackle complex issues challenging our communities by building and partnering with many dedicated public agency professionals, non-profit service providers, and family members living and working in communities.

Founded in 2013