Head of LaBudde Special Collections

Head of LaBudde Special Collections (LSC)

The University of Missouri‑Kansas City Libraries are seeking an experienced leader to serve as the Head of LaBudde Special Collections (LSC). Applications received by Sunday, July 6, 2025, will be given priority consideration.

The position is a 12‑month, non‑tenure track, ranked benefit‑eligible faculty librarian appointment. The Head provides direction, administration, operations, and long‑term planning for the Kenneth J. LaBudde Department of Special Collections. Key duties include guiding print‑based archival processing, collections management, and facilitating access to archival and rare book collections through arrangement, description, bibliographic access, preservation, storage, and security. The role oversees departmental workflows, collaborates with other SCA division leaders to set priorities and policies, monitors trends in rare book and archives management, and recommends adoption of new technologies and methods for access, organization, and preservation.

• Provides leadership and oversight of LaBudde Special Collections, a department consisting of two academic appointments and a team of student employees.
• Establishes departmental goals that align with the Special Collections & Archives Division, Library, and University goals and objectives.
• Assists in implementing strategies for preserving the department’s physical and born‑digital collections.
• Partners with Special Collections & Archives Division and Library‑wide departments to ensure consistency and continuity of service where appropriate.
• Works with UMKC Libraries administration and divisional colleagues to pursue external grant funding or other fundraising opportunities.
• Evaluates and implements technological solutions and strategies for improving work processes and facilitating access to collection materials.
• Maintains knowledge of current and emerging trends impacting the SCA Division and collaborates with partners in the Libraries and elsewhere to support the exploration and implementation of new tools, services, and approaches.
• Provides library instruction to support the UMKC curriculum, ensuring that students develop adequate library and information skills using manuscript‑collection resources and all available tools.
• Provides in‑person, telephone, and electronic reference services and research consultations for users of LaBudde Special Collections and its associated collections.
• Serves as a member of the SCA Collections Team to identify and prioritize holdings for digitization; works closely with the Digital Projects department on planning for digitization, digital collection, and digital exhibit projects.
• Works closely with the Cataloging & Resource Management department to ensure timely intellectual and bibliographic access to collection materials in coordination with the SCA Collections Team.
• Provides leadership in print‑based archival processing services for the Special Collections & Archives Division.
• In coordination with the Processing Associate and divisional colleagues, accedes and processes incoming archival and manuscript collections consisting of material in a variety of formats in accordance with professional standards and departmental priorities.
• Primarily responsible for integrity, safety, and security of archival processing and storage spaces, including the Automated Storage and Retrieval System. Also responsible for processing and storage facilities’ security policies and procedures.
• In the absence of the Head of University Archives, is responsible for managing the safety and security of facilities, personnel, archival and rare materials, and visitors in the public reading room.

• An American Library Association accredited master’s degree OR a graduate degree in an appropriate field combined with libraries and/or archives administration education and experience.
• Experience in an archives and/or special collections setting with demonstrated knowledge of core functions and services, including archival processing practices and management systems and awareness of national issues and trends.
• Supervisory experience or…