Historical Librarian and Archivist. Health Sciences and Human Services Library (HS/HSL)

A unique opportunity exists at the Health Sciences and Human Services Library (HS/HSL), University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB). Reporting to the Associate Vice President, Academic Affairs and Executive Director of the Health Sciences and Human Services Library the Historical Collections Librarian and Archivist develops, curates, and oversees the historical collections of the founding library of the University System of Maryland. These collections reflect the history, heritage, and growth of the schools and disciplines of the University of Maryland, Baltimore, including the Health Sciences and Human Services Library. It is crucial for the incumbent to have a sense of, and respect for, the historical heritage of the institution, working with old documentation, print and digital collections, and recognizing the history of the institution as living, vital, and being created daily. This faculty librarian understands the merits of old items as originals, or reborn converted digitals, keeping the past alive into the future through constituent outreach and the use of new technologies and new formats. The successful candidate will understand and accept a role as the “face” of the HS/HSL, reaching out to university and extramural researchers interested in the history of the institution.
This is a permanent status-eligible full-time, non-tenure track faculty position at a rank of Librarian I or II.  Librarians are expected to progress successfully along the promotion and permanent status track and participate fully as members of the library’s faculty.   For more information see the University’s “Criteria and Procedures Relating to the Appointment, Promotion and Permanent Status for Library Faculty”: http://cf.umaryland.edu/umpolicies/usmpolicyInfo.cfm?polid=19&section=all.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
  • Outreach to, and nurturing of relationships with the various schools, units, and alumni associations.
  • Providing historical reference and genealogical support to university administration, fund raisers, individual researchers, public relations staff, alumni, other organizations, locally and around the world.
  • Presentations, as needed and requested, advancing the strategic priorities of the HS/HSL related to historical and special collections.
  • Maintenance of the Historical/Special Collections web pages (http://www.hshsl.umaryland.edu/resources/historical/).
  • Maintaining and growing the UMB Alumni database.
  • Collaborating with the UMB Digital Archives team to assist in the Identification, collection, and curation of contemporary documents judged to be of historical significance for the archive of the history of the HS/HSL and UMB.
  • Identifying historical resources (pre-1945) for digitization and inclusion in the UMB Digital Archive.
  • Service on the HS/HSL’s Exhibits, Displays, and Promotions Committee.
  • Participating actively on university committees related to the history of UMB.
  • Maintaining relevant professional affiliations and pursuing research and professional development activities.
 
REQUIRED:
  • ALA-accredited MLS/MLIS degree.
  • Specialization or experience in archives or historical collections.
  • Three to five years’ experience in an academic library or relevant coursework supportive of the position duties.
  • Experience with handling, storing, and managing historical and rare books; conversant with and knowledgeable about developments in the history of books and printing
  • Outstanding research and detective skills, curiosity, and the ability to focus and dig deep for answers in esoteric and specialized resources
  • Experience with historical reference resources such as Garrison’s History of Medicine and Morton’s Medical Bibliography.
  • Ability to work independently and collaboratively.
  • Knowledge of new archival and digital technologies for the preservation and dissemination of historic content.
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills. 

PREFERRED:
  • An undergraduate degree or comparable background in biological or health sciences
  • Experience and knowledge of historical developments, particularly in medicine and related fields.
  • Experience with scanners and other preservation technologies.
  • Working knowledge of a major European language such as Latin, German, French, or Spanish.
  • Experience creating exhibits and displays.
  • Experience with grant-writing and extramural funding.
  • Evidence of professional and scholarly activities.
 
APPLICATIONS:
Application materials must include a CV/resume; cover letter which includes the source of advertisement; 3 references including names, addresses, and phone numbers; and a separate signed/dated affidavit page (stating “I verify that my CV is current and accurate” - does not need to be notarized). Applications will be accepted until the position is filled, but full consideration will be given to complete applications received by September 22, 2017. Interested applicants should apply using the following link: http://bit.ly/HistLib.    
MINIMUM SALARY: $60,000 commensurate with experience
 
BENEFITS: Generous benefits include choice of retirement, medical, and dental plans; 22 days of annual leave; 15 days of sick leave; 3 personal days and 14 holidays. Regular employees, as well as their spouses and dependent children, may receive tuition remission for most programs at many campuses of the University System of Maryland.
 
ENVIRONMENT:
The University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) campus is located in downtown Baltimore, blocks from Orioles Park at Camden Yards, Ravens Stadium, and the Inner Harbor, a recreational waterfront destination. Forty-five miles north of Washington DC, Baltimore City and the surrounding metropolitan area are noted for high quality-of-life indicators offering historic parks, great neighborhoods, and world-famous art collections, museums, theaters, and symphony orchestras. The city has easy access to public transportation systems, superior health care systems, and renowned university and educational resources.
The HS/HSL is one of the largest health sciences libraries in the United States with a track-record of user-centered innovative services and programs.  Fifty-five FTE employees including 25 faculty librarians staff the library.  Our attractive and vibrant facility, which opened in 1998, serves as a hub for collaboration and learning with resources, programs and tools that promote discovery, creativity, and innovation.  The HS/HSL has 45 group study rooms, three computer classrooms, an Innovation Space, a presentation and production studio, an art gallery, and multiple technology-enhanced meeting spaces. Through the HS/HSL’s website (www.hshsl.umaryland.edu), the UMB community has access to a full range of resources and services.   The HS/HSL serves the schools of Dentistry, Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Social Work, and the Graduate School.  The HS/HSL also serves as the headquarters for the National Network of Libraries of Medicine’s Southeastern/Atlantic Region. 


The Library supports the 6300 students, and over 7200 faculty and staff members on UMB's 71-acre research and technology complex consisting of 67 buildings including the University of Maryland BioPark, the University of Maryland Medical Center, and the VA Hospital. UMB's professional and graduate schools comprise a dental school, graduate school, and schools of law, medicine, nursing, pharmacy, and social work. More details about the UMB can be found at http://www.umaryland.edu/.