Assistant Curator, de Grummond Children's Literature Collection

Company: University of Southern Mississippi
Location: Hattiesburg
Posted on: June 24, 2022

Job Description:

Assistant Curator, de Grummond Children's Literature Collection

The University of Southern Mississippi is currently accepting applications for the position of Assistant Curator, de Grummond Children's Literature Collection.

Position Details

Location Hattiesburg

118 College Drive

Hattiesburg, Mississippi, 39406-0001

United States

Division McCain Library and Archives

Position Type Staff

Employment Status Full Time

Grant Funded No

Salary Range 14.90 - 15.38

Pay Grade

N05

Posting Close Date Open until Filled

Special Instructions to Applicants

Please attach application letter, resume, and transcripts to application. Candidates who apply within the first 10 days of posting will receive first consideration.

Job Summary

Assists with the management and operation of de Grummond Children's Literature Collection original manuscripts and illustrations of more than 1,400 authors and illustrators, as well as 180,000+ published books dating from 1530 to the present. Determines priorities, develops procedures and monitors workflows in consultation with the Curator. Serves as first point of contact, researches and responds to routine research requests. Contributes, expertly searches and retrieves records from several complex archival and library systems such as ArchivesSpace, Preservica, LibApps, and Alma.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

1. Conducts and directs the accessioning, arrangement and description of primary source materials in accordance with established archival standards. Determines the appropriate intellectual organization in consultation with the Curator. Creates and/or oversees creation of inventories and of finding aids utilizing ArchivesSpace and assigning Library of Congress subject headings and genre terms.

2. Researches and responds to telephone, email and mail reference inquiries and provides assistance to on-site researchers and campus offices relating to all Historical Manuscript collections. Provides excellent reference service and timely response to requests. Provides reference services in Cleanth Brooks Reading Room as scheduled.

3. Coordinates and/or leads de Grummond Collection public outreach efforts by creating and publishing the de Grummond Collection's newsletter and other outgoing communications with donors and other stakeholders; working with the Assistant to the Dean for Outreach and Publicity to develop marketing and public relations materials publicizing collection growth, events and partnerships; Assists in organization of Kaigler Children's Book Festival and other annual or special events.

4. Assists Curator with collection development and appraisal of potential donations. Assists in communicating with donors and potential donors to acquire materials for de Grummond and in coordinating pick-up or delivery of donations.

5. Works with the Digital Lab in the selection, description and release of images in accordance with US copyright law and contractual agreements.

6. Collects and maintains collection use statistics, and prepares monthly reports.

7. Supervises de Grummond Specialist. Schedules, assigns tasks and oversees undergraduate and/or graduate student assistants.

8. Completes or assists with special projects including but not limited to: selecting, researching, and composing an entry about material in the collections for the Item of the Month; curating and installing exhibitions within the McCain building and local community; and creating online exhibitions in Omeka. Participates in University committees and groups. Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in English, History, or Library and Information Science OR in related field with archival coursework or specialization, or two years' experience in library or archives setting.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Familiarity with archival principles and practices pertaining to arrangement and description.

Knowledge of descriptive standards such as MARC, EAD, DACS and Dublin Core.

Knowledge of archival principles of arrangement and description.

Excellent written and oral communication skills.

Excellent organizational skills.

Skills in entering, transcribing, recording, storing, editing, and maintaining information in written or electronic form.

Preferred Qualifications

Master's in Library and Information Science from an ALA accredited program.

Three years' experience in archives setting.

Knowledge of children's literature.

Knowledge of basic preservation practices.

Two years' experience supervising staff or student workers.

One year's experience providing customer or reference service.

Familiarity with US intellectual property laws.

Membership in the Academy of Certified Archivists.

About The University of Southern Mississippi

The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) is a comprehensive public research institution delivering transformative programs on campuses in Hattiesburg and Long Beach, at teaching and research sites across the Mississippi Gulf Coast, as well as online. Founded in 1910, USM is one of only 131 universities in the nation to earn the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education's "R1: Doctoral Universities - Very high research activity" designation, and its robust research enterprise includes experts in ocean science and engineering, polymer science and engineering, and large event venue safety and security, among others. USM is also one of only 37 institutions in the nation accredited in theatre, art and design, dance and music. As an economic driver, USM generates an annual economic impact of more than $600 million across the state. USM welcomes a diverse student body of more than 14,000, representing 71 countries, all 50 states, and every county in Mississippi. USM students have collected four Truman Scholarships and 37 National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowships, while also leading Mississippi with 27 Goldwater Scholarships, an honor that recognizes the next generation of great research scientists. Home to the Golden Eagles, USM competes in 17 Division I sports sponsored by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). For more information, visit www.usm.edu.

As an Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity employer/Americans with Disabilities Act institution, The University of Southern Mississippi encourages minorities, women, veterans and persons with disabilities to apply.

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