Announcements

JOB ANNOUNCEMENT

 THIS JOB ANNOUNCEMENT HAS BEEN EXTENDED THROUGH SEPTEMBER 24, 2023

Number of Positions:  1

For nearly 150 years, Chicago Public Library (CPL) has been at the heart of our city. A place of wonder, exploration and community, CPL welcomes more than 9 million people every year. Our national and international leadership in the library field stems from our deep commitment to supporting and serving patrons as they learn, play, develop skills and strengthen their communities.

Each of our communities is anchored by a library that is truly welcoming to all, inviting us not only to read, but to find resources, to discuss issues that matter to our communities, to experiment with new technologies, and to participate in events and programs that enable us to learn and grow.

Each person's future is greatly influenced by the quality of resources in their community, and their access to opportunity. We are working hard to create a city that respects the experiences of all Chicagoans, removes unnecessary barriers, and paves the way for everyone to have access and opportunity to achieve their goals. Chicago Public Library plays an essential role in ensuring that every Chicagoan has the resources to learn, enjoy and contribute to the success of our great city.

Duties: Reporting to the Assistant Commissioner of Technology, Content and Innovation, provide leadership, strategic vision, and a unified voice for the Chicago Public Library archives, special collections, digital collections and exhibits which have recently joined to form a new library division. CPL's archives and special collections focus on Chicago culture and history, including the largest African American history and literature collection in the Midwest. These collections are distributed across the Special Collections and Preservation Division and the Exhibits unit at Harold Washington Library Center, the Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection at Woodson Regional Library, and the Northside Neighborhood History Collection at Sulzer Regional Library. As a member of the senior leadership team, provide direction for system-wide initiatives that showcase special collections and exhibits across the community and beyond.

Demonstrate commitment to inclusivity and user-centered service, ensuring that the acquisition, description, exhibit and digitization of archival materials and special collections reflect and support the diversity of library service populations. Position currently directly supervises 4 curators, archivists, and librarians, with a division total of over 15 staff, to foster a collaborative work environment that furthers the work of the division, promotes innovation, and creates and enables new initiatives and partnerships. Create a strong team and shared vision with staff across multiple physical locations. Standardize and maintain professional standards and local practices. Lead strategic planning for digitization program for special collections and archival materials.

Lead strategic planning for collection management and processing archival materials. Lead strategic planning for outreach, programming and exhibits at library locations and facilitate traveling exhibits. Identify grant opportunities and work with the Chicago Public Library Foundation to develop, submit and implement proposals. Participate in local, regional, and national consortia and professional associations. Exhibit self-motivation with the ability to manage changing priorities and meet deadlines. Participate in planning and preparation of division budget. Perform related duties as assigned.

LOCATION: 400 S. State St. Technology, Content, and Innovation

DAYS OFF: Saturday & Sunday  

SHIFT:  Monday- Friday 9:00am-5:00pm

HOURS: 35 hours a week

THIS POSITION IS EXEMPT FROM THE CAREER SERVICE

Graduation from an accredited American Library Association college or university with a Master's degree in Library Science or an approved foreign credential evaluation plus five years of professional library experience of which three years are in a supervisory role related to the responsibilities of the position.

Preferred Qualifications: At least 5 years of experience in special collections and/ or archives. Demonstrated expertise in arrangement, processing and description of archival materials. Demonstrated expertise with professional standards, practices, and systems used for special collections and archives. Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Experience managing large archival processing projects. Experience managing large grant funded projects. Experience supervising professional staff and creating a supportive work environment.

Disclaimer - "Accredited" means any nationally or regionally accredited college, university, or law school where the applicant is enrolled in or has completed an Associates, Bachelors, Masters, or Juris Doctorate degree program.

Education & Employment Verification- Please be advised that if you are selected to be hired you must provide, upon request, adequate information regarding your educational and employment history as it relates to the qualifications of the position for which you are applying.  If you received your degree internationally, all international transcripts/diploma must be accompanied by a Foreign Credential Evaluation.  If the City of Chicago cannot verify this information, any offer extended to you will be withdrawn and you will not be hired.

NOTE:  To be considered for this position you must provide information about your educational background and your work experience.  You must include job titles, dates of employment, and specific job duties.  (If you are a current City employee, Acting Up cannot be considered.)  If you fail to provide this information at the time you submit your application, it will be incomplete and you will not be considered for this position.  There are three ways to provide the information: 1) you may attach a resume; 2) you may paste a resume; or 3) you can complete the online resume fields.   

NOTE:  You must provide your transcripts or diploma, professional license, or training certificates at time of processing, if applicable.

SELECTION REQUIREMENTS

This position requires applicants to complete an interview.  The interviewed candidate(s) possessing the qualifications best suited to fulfill the responsibilities of the position will be selected.

Evaluation:  Your initial evaluation will be based on information provided on the application form and documents submitted with the application.  Applications must be submitted by the individual applicant.  No second party applicants will be accepted.

Residency Requirement:   All employees of the City of Chicago must be actual residents of the City as outlined in 2-152-050 of the City of Chicago Municipal Code. Proof of residency will be required.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation due to disability or pregnancy in order to participate in the application process, please contact the City of Chicago, Department of Human Resources, at 312-744-4976 (voice) or 312-744-5035 (TTY).   Please be prepared to provide information in support of your reasonable accommodation request.

ALL REFERENCES TO POLITICAL SPONSORSHIP OR RECOMMENDATION MUST BE OMITTED FROM ANY AND ALL APPLICATION MATERIALS SUBMITTED FOR CITY EMPLOYMENT.

The City of Chicago is an Equal Employment Opportunity and Military Friendly Employer.