Head of LaBudde Special Collections, University of Missouri-Kansas

Priority consideration date extended to Sunday, July 27, 11:50 pm.

The University of Missouri-Kansas City Libraries are seeking an experienced leader to serve as the Head of LaBudde Special Collections (LSC). Details are below. See the full job posting for more details and to apply. Applications received by Sunday, July 27, 2025
, will be given priority consideration.

The UMKC University Libraries are seeking an experienced leader to serve as the Head of LaBudde Special Collections (LSC). The Head of LaBudde Special Collections is responsible for the direction, administration, operations, and long-term planning for the Kenneth J. LaBudde Department of Special Collections. The position provides guidance and support for print-based archival processing and collections management for the Special Collections and Archives (SCA) Division.

The position facilitates access to archival and rare book collections by providing expertise on archival arrangement, description, bibliographic access, preservation, storage, and security of special collections materials held in the UMKC University Libraries. The position oversees collections management activities by overseeing departmental workflows and collaborating with fellow department heads on establishing SCA divisional priorities and policies. In addition to these responsibilities, the position monitors trends and developments in rare book and archives management and recommends appropriate adoption and implementation of new technologies and methods for access, organization, and preservation.

This position is a 12-month, non-tenure track, ranked benefit-eligible faculty librarian appointment, has supervisory responsibilities, and reports to the Assistant Dean of Special Collections and Archives.

Special Collections & Archives Division

Due to recent transitions and strategic planning, the UMKC University Libraries are seeking to hire both an Assistant Dean of Special Collections & Archives and a Head of LaBudde Special Collections at this time. Our intention is to recruit for, hire, and onboard these positions as a cohort. It is our hope that these positions can complement each other in skill sets and complete the team in the Special Collections & Archives (SCA) Division where levels of experience range from emerging professionals to well experienced librarians.

The UMKC University Libraries’ Special Collections & Archives (SCA) division consists of LaBudde Special Collections, UMKC University Archives, Marr Sound Archives, UMKC Libraries Cataloging & Resource Management, and Digital Projects. SCA’s primary source materials are rich in the humanities, particularly in local performing arts, LGBTQ communities, social services organizations, and Kansas City jazz as well as Kansas-Missouri late 19th century Western Americana and national radio broadcasts from the 1930s-1960s.

Prominent collections in LSC include the Starr Women’s Hall of Fame inductee collections, the Gay and Lesbian Archive of Mid-America, and the Edgar Snow Collections. SCA supports a major component of teaching and learning in the humanities, arts, and social sciences using primary source materials; provides high impact learning experiences to a broad range of students including the development of national award-winning student-curated exhibits;

and directly supports undergraduate research initiatives.

UMKC is a Carnegie R1 university.

• Provides leadership and oversight of LaBudde Special Collections, a department consisting of two academic appointments and a team of student employees at a variety of levels.
• 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.
• Work with colleagues to evaluate and…