COLLEGE: University Library

DEPARTMENT: Donald & Beverly Gerth Special Collections & University Archives (SCUA)

POSITION TITLE: Head, Donald & Beverly Gerth Special Collections and University Archives (Librarian 12-month)

DEPARTMENT SUMMARY:

As the center of campus intellectual discovery, the Sacramento State University Library promotes teaching, learning, research, and scholarly communication at the University by integrating the library with student success programs and instruction. One of 23 libraries in the California State University System, the Sacramento State University Library holds over 1.4 million volumes, comprised of print and electronic monographs and serials, and is a U.S. Government Depository. The University Library furthers discovery and the creation and sharing of knowledge that makes for empowered students, equitable learning, engaged faculty, and an enriched community.

The University Library takes pride in the collaborative nature in which our students, staff, and faculty work together in a professional and supportive environment to ensure one another’s success. deep commitment to improving the campus learning environment, we welcome individuals from diverse backgrounds to join our organization of 25 library faculty, 30 staff and approximately 60 FTE student assistants. 

The University Library is committed to ensuring our library is a welcoming and inclusive place for all our students, faculty, staff, and community members. Sacramento State is a minority-serving institution having the federal designation as a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) and Asian American and Native American Pacific Island Serving Institution (AANAPISI). We strive to provide equal access to educational opportunities and commit ourselves to anti-racist and social justice objectives in service to our communities. As an anchor university, we aim to connect our students, faculty, and staff with the community to achieve lasting improvements through inclusive civic engagement.

https://library.csus.edu/

POSITION DETAILS:

The Donald & Beverly Gerth Special Collections & University Archives (SCUA) is responsible for building, maintaining, making accessible, and promoting the University Library’s collections of manuscripts and archives, rare books, and notable subject collections. Archival collecting areas of particular strength and distinction include post-World War II political, social, and environmental history of the Sacramento region; and the history of California State University, Sacramento. The Department's holdings include books, manuscripts, photographs, posters, artwork, university archives, non-print materials in all formats, and digital objects. Subject collections comprise both published and unpublished sources and include the Japanese American Archival Collection (JAAC), which contains significant documentation related to the internment of Japanese-born and Japanese-American citizens; the rare books and manuscripts from the Tsakopoulos Hellenic Collection, the premier Hellenic collection of its kind west of the Mississippi; the Chicano Oral History Project; the Rock and Radio Collection; and much more. SCUA’s holdings number approximately 7,000 linear feet of manuscripts and records; 15,000 publications; 4,000 posters, broadsides and oversize items; 12,000 photographs, and 3,000 audio recordings. Including the Department Head, SCUA currently consists of three librarians and two staff positions, as well as a number of student assistants.

Appointment: This is a probationary, 12-month, tenure-track position with an expected start date of January 2024.  The anticipated rank for this position is Associate Librarian; salary commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Librarians in the CSU system enjoy full faculty status and as such are eligible for campus service opportunities, sabbatical and other leaves, and additional benefits. Librarians are represented under Unit 3 of the California Faculty Association (CFA). Excellent benefits, including medical, dental, and vision plans; generous paid leave (24 vacation days and one personal holiday per year and one day of sick leave per month); and membership in CALPERS, the largest retirement system in the country. Library faculty must demonstrate professional competence, scholarly and/or creative achievement, and service to the University and community in order to meet university requirements for tenure and promotion.

The estimated salary range for this position is $6,945 to $7,538 at the Senior Assistant Librarian rank OR $7,569 to $8,450 at the Associate Librarian rank, depending upon qualifications and experience.

JOB DUTIES:

Reporting to the Dean and Director of the University Library, the Head of the Gerth Special Collections & University Archives provides leadership and strategic vision for the department, expertise, and creativity in the development of excellent special collections and archives in a variety of formats and the enhancement of their discoverability and access:

• Engages in overall administration of the Department, as well as for the quality and effectiveness of the operation, security of collections, environmental control, and services provided
• Actively engages in grant writing, fundraising, and donor cultivation to procure additional resources for the department in coordination with the Library Dean and the Office of University Advancement
• Builds special collections in all formats that support the University’s curricular needs and research strengths including those that document the social, cultural, economic, and political history of the Sacramento region
• Provides direction to departmental librarians and library staff with primary responsibility for the arrangement, description, and preservation of materials in a variety of formats consistent with best practices in the field of archival administration
• Leads the identification and development of appropriate digitization projects from departmental holdings and determines project priorities in consultation with department colleagues; collaborates with Library faculty and other stakeholders on projects involving other areas of the Library.
• Collaborates with subject librarians and academic faculty to develop programs that further research, teaching, and instruction using primary sources
• Plans special events and exhibits, including virtual content, in collaboration with subject librarians that showcase special collections materials for the benefit of the University community and visitors to the University.
• Provide supervision and work direction to three (3) librarians and two (2) Library Services Specialist (LSS) staff positions, as well as a number of student assistants.

Responsibilities as a Library Faculty

• Contributes to library-wide decision-making.
• Serves on Library committees as needed.
• Pursues scholarly and/or creative achievement
• Makes contributions to the Library, the University, and the community
• Engages in professional development

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

1. American Library Association-accredited graduate degree in library and information science or archival studies, or accredited international equivalent, conferred by Dec. 31, 2023; or an equivalent combination of relevant advanced degree and library or archival experience
2. Minimum five years of professional experience in libraries, special collections, and/or archives, including supervisory experience
3. Demonstrated leadership and strategic planning in special collections or archives
4. Effective communication, organization, and interpersonal skills
5. Demonstrated commitment to efforts involving Diversity, Equity, Inclusion (DEI) and the ability to work effectively with diverse populations
6. Ability to work collaboratively and effectively, and to promote teamwork
7. Experience in developing and managing special collections or archival resources in print, electronic, and other formats
8. Successful grant writing, fundraising, and/or donor relations experience
9. Commitment to user-centered public services within a special collections and archives setting

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Familiarity with digital repositories, digital asset management systems, or archival content management systems
2. Demonstrated successful project management and budget experience
3. Experience providing reference and instructional services
4. Experience giving presentations and developing exhibits, public programs, and other outreach activities to promote special collection and archival holdings
5. Familiarity with copyright and other intellectual property issues related to special collections and archives
6. Knowledge of library preservation and conservation issues and practices
7. Advanced degree in a subject area relevant to the collection areas of the department
8. Reading knowledge of at least one language other than English

APPLICANT INSTRUCTIONS:

It is only necessary for applicants to meet the required qualifications in order to apply. Candidates from underrepresented and/or minoritized groups are strongly encouraged to apply.

Review of applications will begin on October 2, 2023; and continue until the position is filled. 

Candidates must include the following attachments with the application:

1. Cover letter
2. Current curriculum vitae
3. The names and contact information of at least three professional references
4. Unofficial transcripts of all college work (official transcripts required if invited for an interview)
5. A diversity statement that responds to the following prompt: Describe how you would contribute to the development of a diverse, equitable, and inclusive learning community in your role as Head of the Gerth Special Collections & University Archives. Please limit your response to 500 words.

Barring a disruption due to natural disaster or the pandemic, final candidates will be required to attend an in-person interview at Sacramento State.

Final candidates will be required to submit contact information for their current supervisor to provide a professional reference after a job offer is made, but before a final contract is signed.

About Sacramento State

Sacramento State is located in the heart of California’s capital city, five miles from State Capitol. The lush, 300-acre campus is situated along the American River, close to numerous bike trails and other recreational areas. Sacramento, also known as the “Farm-to-Fork Capital,” is one of the most ethnically diverse and livable cities in the country, with a population of half of a million. Sacramento State’s 31,000 students come not only from the Greater Sacramento Region, but also from across the state, country, and world. Our 1,800 faculty and 1,500 staff are committed to meeting our mission: “As California’s capital university, we transform lives by preparing students for leadership, service, and success. Sacramento State will be a recognized leader in education, innovation, and engagement.” As the regional hub of higher education, Sacramento State is dedicated to student success, diversity, equity and inclusion, community engagement, philanthropy, and campus safety. 

As evidenced by the values embedded in our Hornet Honor Code, Sacramento State is committed to creating an inclusive environment where all faculty, staff, students, and guests are welcome and valued.  Our commitment is more than simply ensuring that our campus is free from bias and discrimination, but is one devoted to celebrating many diverse identities, life experiences, and perspectives that enrich our community, teaching and learning. 

To learn more about why you should join the Hornet Family, please visit the Why Sac State? page.

Equal Employment Opportunity
California State University, Sacramento is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and has a strong institutional commitment to the principle of diversity in all areas. We consider qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, pregnancy, genetic information, medical condition, marital status, veteran status, or disability. Sacramento State hires only those individuals who are lawfully authorized to accept employment in the United States.

It is the policy of California State University, Sacramento to provide reasonable accommodations for qualified persons with disabilities who are employees or applicants for employment. If you need a disability related reasonable accommodation as part of the application and/or interviewing process, visit https://www.csus.edu/administration-business-affairs/human-resources/benefits/reasonable-accomodation.html.

The University is committed to creating an education and working environment free from discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual violence, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking. For more information on mandatory training for new employees, visit https://www.csus.edu/administration-business-affairs/human-resources/learning-development/csu-learn.html.

Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act and Campus Fire Safety Right-To-know Act Notification:

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, the current Annual Security Report (ASR) is available for viewing at https://www.csus.edu/clery .
The ASR contains the current security and safety-related policy statements, emergency preparedness and evacuation information, crime prevention and sexual assault prevention information, and drug and alcohol prevention programming. The ASR also contains statistics of Clery Act crimes for Sacramento State for the last three (3) calendar years. Paper copies are available upon request at the Police Service Center located in the University Union.

Background Check Disclaimer
A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate can be offered a position with California State University, Sacramento. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the application status of applicants or continued employment of current California State University, Sacramento employees who apply for the position.

Out of State Employment

Per CSU-wide policy (HR2021-04), all faculty who will begin initial employment (or return from a 12-month break in service) on or after January 1, 2022 are required to perform their work from within the State of California. Faculty hired prior to January 1, 2022 must be available to perform work in the State of California if their assignment is in-person.

Eligibility Verification
Candidate will be required to provide official transcripts of their highest degree earned and must furnish proof of eligibility to work in the U.S.. California State University, Sacramento is a sponsoring agency ( ie. H-1-B Visa).