Overview
DIRECTOR, SPECIAL COLLECTIONS & ARCHIVES, University Libraries
Boston University invites applications for the role of Director of the Special Collections and Archives. The director will provide strategic and operational leadership of the library’s archival, rare book, and art holdings. As a user-focused and collaborative leader, you will lead planning, implementation, operations, and assessment of the collections in support of the library’s research, engagement, instruction, and outreach programs and services. You will identify improvements to the operation of the repository, working closely with peers to enhance management and discovery of the university’s holdings. Reporting to the Associate University Librarian for Academic Engagement & Special Collections, you will contribute to building a high-trust organizational culture, serve as a department leader in the library, participate in strategic discussions and initiatives, and engage in university and professional communities to advance best practices in special collections and archives.
Responsibilities
- A strong manager, recruit, mentor, and support a team of librarians, archivists, graduate interns, and student employees who steward the University Archives, research services, processing and collection management, exhibitions, and engagement.
- Lead the provision of engagement programs including research services, the reading room, reference services, research fellowships, an expanding instruction program, outreach, exhibitions, and public programs; align engagement strategies with campus and external partners in line with library and university priorities.
- Advance collecting practices by ensuring relevant collecting and stewardship, oversee acquisitions policies and priorities to align with institutional teaching and research priorities and stewardship capacity.
- Oversee preservation and collection stewardship for the repository including university archives, rare books, manuscripts, and art collections; guide long-range planning and systems oversight to ensure sustainable preservation, discovery, and collection management with focus on digital readiness, digitization, and access.
- Manage resources to support programmatic and collection-wide stewardship; contribute to fundraising, grant writing, and budget management.
- Participate in library and university-wide activities and committees; collaborate across departments and programs and contribute to the profession through service, research, publishing, and teaching.
Qualifications
- Master's degree in library or archival studies.
- 8+ years of relevant experience.
- Firm working knowledge of archival management and research support operations across print and digital formats, including care of rare materials.
- Strong leadership and communication skills.
- Commitment to inclusive and accessible service practices.
Application and Working at BU Libraries
For consideration, please submit a cover letter, CV, and list of professional references. The libraries will begin review of candidate applications on October 20, 2025. This position will remain open until filled.
Boston University Libraries is a learning organization that supports librarians, archivists, and information professionals seeking and sharing knowledge, best practices, and professional development. The BU Libraries collaborate with regional and national networks and are actively engaged in professional communities.
Equal Opportunity
We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military service, pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition, marital status, parental status, or veteran status. We are a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.
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