What You'd Do

Leadership & Management

Provide leadership, strategic vision, and a unified voice for the Denver Public Library (DPL) special collections, which includes the Western History and Genealogy (WHG) collection at the Central Library and the African American Research Library (AARL) and Museum at the Blair-Caldwell Branch. Plan, organize, administer, and manage the department's annual operating budget, restricted funds including gifts and endowments, and grants and fellowship programs. Directly supervise four Senior Librarians and foster a collaborative work environment that facilitates the work of the department, promotes innovation, and creates and enables new initiatives and collaborations. Responsible for the development of WHG/AARL strategic plans and annual goals and their alignment with the broader goals of the DPL Strategic Plan. Participate in and provide leadership for system-wide initiatives that showcase special collections and the research use of such collections across the community.

Collection Development & Fundraising

Working closely with the WHG/AARL acquisitions team, maintain and refine collection development policies, including strategically building the collection, appropriately deaccessioning, diversifying the collection, and accurately representing the community through the special collections.  Solicit major gifts, cultivate donors, and identify fundraising opportunities in collaboration with the DPL Friends Foundation and marketing, public relations, and community engagement colleagues. Identify grant opportunities and work collaboratively to develop and submit proposals. Lead and initiate the programmatic digitization of special collections and archives materials, utilizing internal resources and ongoing partnerships with national and international vendors. Provide careful and ethical stewardship for existing gifts and awards, including the preparation of annual reports to major donors, foundations, and government agencies. Working closely with the marketing, public relations, and community engagement colleagues, provide support for special donor events.

Collaboration, Communication, Outreach & Visibility

Serve as a member of the Libraries Leadership Team and other senior-level committees and teams. Interacts extensively with the other department managers and library administrators. Provide administrative oversight for the WHG/AARL digital collections. Work closely with library staff on providing cutting-edge services to patrons; strategically utilizing and developing spaces (i.e.: classrooms, exhibition spaces, archival processing, long-term preservation storage, photo digitization lab, reading room); and engaging in new initiatives and programs to make the collections as accessible as possible. Engage with DPL staff, visiting researchers, partners and customers to encourage awareness of WHG /AARL resources and to offer services, programs, and initiatives that are responsive to community needs. Work with internal partners to assess customer and community needs and create innovative programming and enhance services system-wide. Work closely with the marketing, public relations, and community engagement colleagues, to publicize WHG/AARL collections, services, exhibitions, events, programs, and other activities. Maintains awareness of professional developments, issues, and practices through research and activities that increase one's knowledge and abilities, and that positively impact one's performance and service contributions.

 

You Have

Knowledge of managerial principles and practices. Knowledge of conservation theory and basic conservation skills. Knowledge of or willingness to learn about US and African American western history, specifically Colorado and Denver history. Skill in selecting, training, motivating, evaluating and supervising staff. Skill in writing, editing and communicating. Skill in organization and project management. Skill in providing excellent customer service. Ability to work in a collaborative team environment. Ability to demonstrate innovation and flexibility. Ability to manage and negotiate conflicts. Ability to lead and guide individuals and teams and create a culture of trust and collaboration. Ability to creatively solve problems, negotiate and handle stressful situations in a positive manner. Ability to use extensive workplace and other technology including email, internet, databases, and other software. Ability to pass a background check after the offer to hire has been made.

Master's in Library Science from an ALA accredited institution, a Master's degree in a related field, or its equivalent in work experience.

Broad management skills including experience in the supervision of staff and managing budgets.

Experience in the fields of registration/collections management, archival management, or digital asset management (preferred, not required).

Experience with photographic and digital collections (preferred, not required).

 

Other Things You Should Know

In addition to completing an online application, please attach a resume and cover letter.

The ideal candidate for this position is an experienced team player who has overseen diverse collections, created public programming to promote library holdings and who enjoys interfacing with the public, scholars, donors, and the DPL Executive Team and Library Commission. The DPL Special Collections and Digital Archives Manager will be a part of the DPL Leadership team and will interact with all departments to create relevant innovative programming and exhibitions. They will be flexible, enthusiastic, and enjoy tackling a diverse range of responsibilities. The ideal candidate will have experience in building collections as well as deaccessioning collections to bring refinement and focus to the library's holdings.

This position reports to the Central Library Administrator and will oversee a department composed of 28 staff members.

Although the full salary range for this position is provided, offers depend on qualifications and typically do not exceed the midpoint. The City and County of Denver benefit package will be offered.

 


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