[Web4lib] List Posting

[Michele Hegedus]

The following academic position is available at Cornell University Library:


Assistant Curator of Rare Books
Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections

Cornell University Library

Cornell University Library seeks dynamic and energetic applicants to play 
an active role in developing the programs and collections of the Division 
of Rare and Manuscript Collections (RMC).  This entry-level academic 
position is aimed at those seeking to begin a career in the rare book and 
manuscript profession.

Cornell University is among the top 10 research universities in the United 
States, featuring a 140-year history of innovation, excellence, and 
inclusiveness, an award winning Library, and interdisciplinary research 
programs that offer 4,000 courses in nearly 100 departments. Cornell is a 
member of the Ivy League and a partner of the State University of New York.

Cornell University is located in Ithaca in the scenic Finger Lakes region 
of upstate New York.  The town and university offer a unique cosmopolitan 
and international atmosphere in a beautiful natural setting of waterfalls, 
gorges, and lakes.

Cornell University Library's Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections 
(RMC) is an academic special collections library featuring 300,000 rare 
books and 70 million manuscripts, photographs, and related materials. 
Collection highlights include the papers of writers such as James Joyce and 
Vladimir Nabokov, a copy of the Gettysburg Address in the hand of Abraham 
Lincoln, E.B. White's original manuscript of Charlotte's Web, and many 
other treasures. Other prominent research collections include: the largest 
collection on the French Revolution outside of Paris, the largest 
collection on the history of witchcraft in North America, the world's 
second largest collection on William Wordsworth, one of the country's 
founding collections on the abolitionist movement, and one of the most 
extensive collections on the history of sexuality and gender in the United 
States.

RMC is used extensively by local faculty and students and by scholars from 
around the world.  Programs include active teaching and outreach efforts, 
and a variety of exhibitions and events showcasing collections. While 
continuing to emphasize the importance of traditional formats, Cornell 
University Library is actively committed to the support and promotion of 
digital collections and services, and RMC has played a pioneering role in 
the use of new technologies for providing access to special collections 
materials.  In cooperation with other library units and national projects, 
RMC creates digital collections and Web sites providing access to rare 
books, manuscripts, graphics, and historical artifacts at Cornell.

Duties and Responsibilities:  Reporting to the Curator of Rare Books and 
Manuscripts, the Assistant Curator will deliver presentations to classes 
and other groups, help interpret RMC's collections through the preparation 
of exhibitions and related programming and publications, promote research 
in the collections, and provide support for collection development and 
donor initiatives. The Assistant Curator will also participate in RMC's 
reference services, technical processing, and digital asset management 
activities.

Required Minimum Qualifications:  MLS degree or graduate degree in 
literature, history, archival management, or other relevant field. 
Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Demonstrated ability to 
initiate, coordinate and conclude projects with efficiency. Ability to lift 
40 lbs. and work with dusty materials.

Preferred Qualifications: Experience working in special collections, 
archives, or the antiquarian book trade. Experience working with the public 
in a library, archival, museum, or cultural setting. Subject expertise; 
experience curating exhibitions or teaching experience. Familiarity with 
online bibliographic tools and technologies, including EAD and Web design.

Benefits: Comprehensive benefits package including 22 vacation days, 11 
paid holidays, health insurance, life insurance, and university retirement 
contributions (TIAA-CREF and other options).  Professional travel funding 
available.

Application Procedure:  To apply for this position go to 
<http://www.ohr.cornell.edu/jobs/>http://www.ohr.cornell.edu/jobs/, search 
under the job category of Librarians, and select posting number 
04994.  Follow the instructions for online submission. Please include a 
cover letter, resume, and the names, phone numbers, and addresses for three 
references.  Applications requested by April 1, 2006.  Review of 
applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is 
filled.

For further information, contact Susan Markowitz, Director of Library Human 
Resources, 201 Olin Library, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853-5301.

Cornell University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer 
strongly committed to diversity.  We value qualified candidates who can 
bring to our community a variety of backgrounds and experiences.



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Michele Hegedus
Library Administration
201 Olin Library
(607) 255-5181
(607) 255-6788 Fax