Assistant Head of Technical Services, Special Collections

Position: Assistant Head of Technical Services, Special Collections
Available: November 1, 2008


The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill seeks an experienced, collaborative, and enthusiastic individual to manage the cataloging of rare and specialized published materials for the rich, diverse, and growing collections of the Louis Round Wilson Special Collections Library. The Library includes the North Carolina Collection, the Rare Book Collection, the Southern Historical Collection, the Southern Folklife Collection, and University Archives and Records Management Services. Together they hold extensive collections of books, rare books, pamphlets, government documents, newspapers, periodicals, maps, manuscripts, archives, photographs, audiovisual materials, and digital materials primarily documenting the University, North Carolina, and the American South; the Rare Book Collection has significant national and international literary and historical holdings, from clay tablets to medieval manuscripts to modern printings and artists' books.

Reporting to the Head of Special Collections Technical Services, the incumbent will have direct responsibility for the cataloging of rare and specialized published materials in the newly consolidated Technical Services Department. Responsibilities are chiefly managerial in nature, but the incumbent will be expected to participate in cataloging of collections as needed. The Department includes approximately 12 full-time staff, plus numerous graduate and undergraduate assistants; about half of the staff is engaged in cataloging rare and specialized published materials chiefly housed in the Rare Book Collection and the North Carolina Collection.

The Assistant Head will work with the Head of Technical Services to advance a collaborative environment in the Technical Services Department and with curatorial, public services, and conservation staff to set library-wide standards and priorities for special collections. The Assistant Head will also work with the University Library's general collections technical services staff and with staff of the Carolina Digital Library and Archives to help develop, articulate, and maintain shared policies and metadata standards. The incumbent is expected to help ensure that the Wilson Library adopts and contributes to the development of relevant standards; to be involved in professional discussions on technical services issues; and to be active in professional organizations concerned with cataloging and special collections issues.

Qualifications

Required:
ALA-accredited MLS. Five years cataloging experience with a working knowledge of online library systems, AACR2r, LCRI, LCSH, DCRM, MARC21 formats, and authority control. Three years work experience in special collections in an academic or research library setting. Reading knowledge of one or more European languages (Spanish especially desired). Experience in supervising full-time professional and paraprofessional staff. Commitment to professional participation in areas relevant to the position. Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively to set priorities and accomplish goals. Excellent oral communication and writing skills. Commitment to a high level of service to faculty, staff, and students.

Preferred:
Experience with NACO, BIBCO, or other PCC programs. Reading knowledge of one or more classical or non-European languages. Knowledge of standard descriptive bibliographies. Familiarity with Innovative's Millennium system. Familiarity with non-MARC metadata schema. Experience in developing and administering technical services grants.

The University and The Libraries
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is the country's oldest state university. UNC-Chapel Hill has an enrollment of approximately 27,000 students, employs more than 3,100 faculty, offers 77 doctoral degrees as well as professional degrees in dentistry, medicine, pharmacy and law, and the Library collections include over 6 million volumes. The Library is a member of the Association of Research Libraries, the Center for Research Libraries, and SOLINET. Together with the Health Sciences and Law libraries at Chapel Hill plus the libraries at Duke University, North Carolina Central University, and North Carolina State University, the members of the Triangle Research Libraries Network (TRLN) provide services and collections to their students, faculty, and staff in support of the education, research, and service missions of the universities.

The Region
The Triangle region is one of the most desirable places to live and work in North America and offers its residents a wide array of recreational, cultural, and intellectual activities. The mountains or the seashore are less than half day's drive from Chapel Hill.

The University of North Carolina is an equal opportunity employer and is strongly committed to the diversity of our faculty and staff.

Salary and Benefits
This is a twelve-month academic librarian appointment; salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience. Standard state benefits of annual leave, sick leave, and State or optional retirement plan. At the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, librarians enjoy the benefit of academic status and are members of the faculty council.

Deadline for Application
Review of applications will begin on October 1, 2008. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled, but preference will be given to applications received by the begin review date.

To Apply:
Please visit https://s4.its.unc.edu/RAMS4/searchCriteria.do?type=N and complete the online application. Be sure to include a cover letter, a resume and the name, mailing address, email address, and telephone number of three professional references.