Hi everyone,
I'm excited to share that we are hiring for an Early Career Fellow with a focus as the Archivist for Digital Collections and Research, which is a new, permanent faculty position joining the Special Collections and University Archives team at Towson University! The details about the position are below and you can submit an application on our website. The salary range is $62,000-66,000. The posting will be open until filled.
Please don't hesitate to reach out with any questions,
Ashley
Position:
Albert S. Cook Library seeks an innovative individual to serve as the Archivist for Digital Collections and Research, with our Early Career Librarian Fellows program. Our library is committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse library staff by considering applicants from a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences. You can read the library's diversity statement here: https://libraries.towson.edu/about/inclusion-diversity-equity-accessibility. Towson University places a high priority on the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Candidates will be expected to explain how they have been and could be involved in advancing this campus goal. This fellowship program is designed to provide an early-career librarian from an underrepresented group, who has either completed their master's in library science (MLS or MLIS) in the last 18 months or will complete their master's in library science within 12 months of hire. This is a permanent position; after the two-year fellowship, the librarian will continue in their role. There is an opportunity for librarian fellows to rotate across departments if they have the interest to do so. This is an opportunity for rapid professional growth and we encourage new perspectives and fresh ideas. As this is an early career opportunity, we encourage applicants with interest in the designated areas to apply, whether or not they have work experience or coursework in these areas. The first two years of the program will be dedicated to researching a new program or initiative, with the goal of creating a plan to launch the program at the conclusion of the two years within Albert S. Cook Library.
Responsibilities:
Reporting to the Assistant University Librarian for Special Collections and University Archives (SCUA), the Archivist for Digital Collections and Research (ADCR) will join the SCUA team with primary responsibility for ensuring digital access to SCUA's engaging and expanding digital cultural heritage collections and bringing the overall program to the next stage of maturity. The ideal candidate will be someone eager and unafraid to experiment with tools and workflows in the service of building a nascent digital preservation program. They will be determined and confident in leading new initiatives: a technologically adept, self-directed, creative and curious problem-solver. This work includes continuously looking for ways to integrate diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice into digital archives practice and projects.
The Archivist for Digital Collections and Research will investigate technologies and make recommendations for the long-term preservation of TU's collections. In the final year of the program, the Fellow will work on a capstone project suited to their professional interests and to the needs of the library. A goal of this project is for the Fellow, working independently or with a mentor, to develop, complete, and report research or creative work at a conference or as a publication. The Fellow will serve on library and university committees and participate in professional organizations. The Fellow will benefit from formal and informal mentorship, funding and encouragement of professional development, and a focus on career planning. Towson University Libraries Early Career Fellows program is part of the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) Diversity Alliance.
Qualifications:
Master's degree must be completed by start date or within one year of hire; the Fellow may receive work release time of up to 50% to complete their degree. Commitment to developing a career in academic librarianship; knowledge of issues and developments in academic libraries. Demonstrated interest or experience in diversity and inclusion initiatives. Strong commitment to supporting the academic and research needs of students, faculty and staff. Basic familiarity with current practices and technology in library instruction, technical services, and special collections. Demonstrated interest in scholarship and commitment to professional growth. Strong, positive interpersonal and collaborative skills; ability to work in a team environment. Excellent oral, written and interpersonal communication skills. Demonstrated initiative and ability to work independently and collaboratively on a variety of projects simultaneously. Demonstrated excellent organizational, analytical, time management and project management skills. Ability to work flexibly and creatively in a changing and fast paced environment with a diverse population.
Albert S. Cook Library:
Albert S. Cook Library is the campus library for Towson University, the largest university in the Baltimore area and the second largest in the University System of Maryland. Cook Library also serves the Towson University Northeastern Maryland (TUNE) campus. With 25 faculty librarians and 27 staff, Cook Library provides superior support to Towson University.
Towson University:
Towson University (www.towson.edu) was founded in 1866, is recognized by U.S. News and World Reports as one of the top public universities in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions, is Baltimore's largest university, and is the largest public, comprehensive institution in the University of Maryland System. TU enrolls over 19,000 undergraduates and more than 3,000 graduate students across six academic colleges (business, education, fine arts, health professions, liberal arts, science & mathematics), has of 900 full-time faculty, and offers 65 bachelor's 42 master's, and 4 doctoral programs. Our centrally located campus sits on 330 rolling green acres and is 10 miles north of Baltimore, 45 miles north of Washington D.C., and 95 miles south of Philadelphia.
Application Process:
Review of applications begins immediately and continues until the position is filled. Applicants should submit a resume or curriculum vitae, cover letter and the names and contact information of three relevant references. Transcripts will be requested of final candidates.
A Criminal Background Investigation is required for the hired candidate and the results may impact employment.
The safety of our students, faculty, staff, and neighbors has been our top priority and the focus of every one of our decisions since the earliest days of the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, the University System of Maryland (USM) has strongly encouraged full COVID vaccination and up-to-date booster shots (when eligible) for all faculty, staff, and students at all schools in the USM as both a reasonable and necessary means of protecting our health and safety.
Please be sure to visit the Applicant Data Form to complete a voluntary on-line form. All data collected are for internal, state, and/or federal reporting and will not be used for other purposes.
Towson University is an equal opportunity employer and has a strong institutional commitment to diversity, as detailed in "A More Inclusive TU: Advancing Equity and Diversity (2020 – 25)." TU is a national leader in inclusive excellence, the only institution in Maryland with zero achievement gap, and 68% growth in minority enrollment over the past 5 years. We encourage applications from a variety of (dis)abilities, cultural, ethnic, race, sex, gender identity/expressions, national origins, ages, veteran status, color, religious, socio-economic, sexual orientations and belief background.
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Ashley Todd-Diaz
Assistant University Librarian for Special Collections and University Archives
Towson University
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