Director of Archives and Special Collections

Ball State University

Muncie, IN

ID: 7254111 (Ref.No. BSU43323)
Posted: June 11, 2024
Application Deadline: Open Until Filled

Job Description

In collaboration with the Associate Dean for Research, Access, and Open Education, provide direct leadership to Archives and Special Collections and the Andrew Seager Archives for the Built Environment, including responsive, strategic development, implementation, promotion, and assessment of high-quality archival and special collections, programs, and customer services to advance student success, faculty research and teaching excellence, and community engagement initiatives; oversee planning, budgeting, organizing, staffing, and problem-solving for Archives and Special Collections; work with Director of Research and Branch Services to collaboratively develop integrated approaches to instruction and research services, facilitating cross-unit communities of practice to fully leverage collections, unit expertise, and other library resources; support an inclusive, diverse, and collaborative work environment and service culture to advance the strategic direction of the University Libraries.

The Ball State University Libraries is looking for a talented collaborator and experienced manager to join our committed and highly-engaged team as Director of Archives and Special Collections. The unique holdings of the Archives include rich local history, cultural, and civic collections, including the Middletown Studies Collection, which documents the history of Muncie as Middletown, the subject of a bestselling study of the ordinary American city. Other collections include the Andrew Seager Archives of the Built Environment, documenting the architectural and design heritage of Indiana, and the Special Collections, which include special formats, first editions, fine printing and bindings, and other rare published works. Signature collections related to American author John Steinbeck, Congressman Phil Sharp, and others attract a breadth of researchers from across the US and beyond. The Director will be a highly-motivated expert who amplifies the essential role of archives and special collections for teaching, research, and community engagement. If you are committed to a culture of innovation and inclusion and are ready to join an exciting team focused on advancing the Libraries’ mission to create transformative experiences for diverse communities of learners, we invite you to consider applying today!

Job Function:

Minimum Education:

MLS/MLIS/MIS degree from an ALA accredited program or master’s degree with an emphasis on archival management by date of appointment.

Preferred Education:

Additional advanced degrees.

Minimum Experience:

At least 3 years of supervisory experience; at least 3 years of increasingly responsible experience in special collections or archives; demonstrated experience managing complex digital projects and repository services; demonstrated skills in collaborative development, promotion, and assessment of library services; experience with and strong commitment to reference services and library instruction.

Preferred Experience:

Over 3 years of supervisory experience, over 3 years of increasingly responsible experience in special collections or archives; successful record of donor engagement, including gift acquisitions and fundraising; demonstrated record of successful grant writing experience; supervisor experience of professional and classified staff.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Plan, develop, and direct the conversion of traditional paper-based and analog special collections resources to digital format and develop and manage born-digital resources for global access; coordinate the development of digital collections with Collection Resources Management and Library Data Discovery Solutions for metadata creation and digitization for repository solutions; plan, initiate, manage, measure, and promote the development of the University Libraries’ digital initiatives, specifically the Digital Media Repository and web archiving.
Actively participate in and positively contribute to the activities of the Libraries, university, and profession through such opportunities as related professional organizations, presentations, committee service, publication, etc.; keep abreast of professional literature and scholarly developments in areas of administrative responsibility and pursue opportunities for relevant professional development and continuous learning.
Assign and review work, orient and train staff, and make recommendations in all areas of supervision, including but not limited to interviewing and selection, discipline, performance and appraisal, and training and career development of personnel; contribute to the professional growth, development, and retention of a high-quality team of archivists and staff.
Perform other related duties as assigned.
Maintain managerial, operational and service continuity in all areas of responsibility, including evaluation and implementation of staffing and scheduling models and operational data analysis to recommend improvements to achieve user-centered services efficiencies.
Plan, promote, measure, and assess the delivery of high-quality customer services for Archives and Special Collections to the university and at-large user community; collaboratively identify, develop, and implement new services and initiatives.
Implement and monitor policies and procedures within Archives and Special Collections, making recommendations for change when necessary.
Serve as principal contact with donors and benefactors to acquire collections and funding for the University Libraries digital initiatives and special collections; engage in grant writing, project planning, and administration.

At Ball State University, we recognize inclusive excellence as an integral endeavor to fulfill our University’s mission and our strategic plan. We recruit, support, and retain a diverse population of students, faculty, and staff. We encourage and reward diversity of thought. We promote a work environment that encourages and rewards innovation and creativity. We pledge to keep Inclusive Excellence at the highest level of institutional importance and as a foundation in all that we strive to do. Our over-arching goal for Inclusive Excellence is to adopt a university-wide Inclusive Excellence approach to academic, administrative support, and service functions of the university. We believe Inclusive Excellence must be infused in every step we take.

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