Curator of African American Collections

Curator of African American Experience Collections

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Kenneth Spencer Research Library (KSRL) at the University of Kansas (KU) Libraries seeks a creative and collaborative curator for our established and growing African American Experience (AAE) Collections. These collections are a major area of research and focus, documenting the legacy of African American individuals, families, businesses, churches, and schools through substantial collections of correspondence, photographs, organizational, educational and business records, books, pamphlets, and newspapers.

The curator will spearhead efforts to build and share collections that reflect the lives and experiences of African Americans in Kansas and the region. They will work with colleagues to develop an established, community-based collecting program that supports the teaching and research missions of the university. The curator will collaborate with KU faculty and other instructors teaching in varied subject areas, and with students and other scholars, to interpret the rich resources of the collection through instruction, reference service, and public outreach.

Working collaboratively across the Libraries and the campus, the curator will also support and collaborate on robust cataloging and description, preservation, and digitization of collection materials.

KSRL has built collections related to Kansas and Kansans from all walks of life since its inception and has devoted significant resources to our African American Experience collections. Reporting to the Director Kenneth Spencer Research Library, the curator will also participate in the work of Kenneth Spencer Research Library and KU Libraries as a whole and may supervise student assistants or project staff.

This position will work closely with the Kansas Collection Curator and Curator of Latino/a Collections. This on-site position will require periodic in‑state travel and occasional work in the evenings or weekends.

This position requires a commitment to understanding Kansas cultures and the skills to be successful as part of a collaborative professional team.

This position requires occasional evening and weekend work along with some in‑state overnight stays.

The successful candidate must be eligible to work in the U.S. by the effective date of the appointment. This is a full‑time, 12‑month, tenure‑track faculty position. Rank considerations are based on professional performance, research, and service experience sufficient to qualify for appointment at the rank of Assistant Librarian or Associate Librarian.

• Builds relationships with individuals, families, and social, business, and political communities across the state to develop African American Experience collections through purchases and donations.
• Consults with and supports organizations, individuals, and communities that wish to preserve and document their collections locally.
• Partners with library and university colleagues to integrate original resources and perspectives into classes across the KU curriculum, and to strengthen students’ primary source literacy.
• Participates in developing and delivering instructional and outreach programming and activities including classes and tours; physical and virtual exhibits; and posts for Spencer Library’s shared blog.
• Plans and staffs outreach events and activities to promote knowledge and use of the African American experience collections, including traveling exhibits and presentations to potential users and donors, groups, clubs, etc.
• Serves as a public point of contact for this collection, including inquiries from the media, and demonstrates the ability to advocate for the importance of historical materials in understanding the past, present, and future.
• Shares in providing reference assistance to…