Florida Studies Curator and Campus Archivist - University of South Florida, St. Petersburg Campus
Location: St. Petersburg, FL
Salary: $65,000 to $70,000
Employment Term: Full-time, 12-month, non-tenure track library faculty position
Employer Contact: Kristina Keogh, Campus Library Dean, kkeogh@usf.edu
POSITION SUMMARY:
The Nelson Poynter Memorial Library (NPML) at the University of South Florida (USF), St. Petersburg campus seeks a curious, collaborative, and service-oriented professional to serve as Florida Studies Curator and Campus Archivist. The incumbent will manage and provide oversight for the USF St. Petersburg campus archives and special collections and, additionally, serve as the liaison to the Florida Studies program, providing outreach, instructional/research services, and growing distinctive physical and digital collections that highlight the state’s history and culture. This is a full-time, 12-month, non-tenure track library faculty position. The Florida Studies Curator and Campus Archivist will promote a collegial work environment, communicate effectively, and collaborate with library and faculty colleagues as well as with external partners and donors to advance the USF Libraries and the USF St. Petersburg campus’s goals and initiatives.
The USF St. Petersburg campus archives and special collections specialize in St. Petersburg, regional, and Florida history, and on the African American experience in the Tampa Bay area. Notable current and emerging archival collections and significant community partnerships include the Weekly Challenger Digital Newspaper Archive, a publication documenting the city’s African American community since 1967; the Bob Devin Jones-Studio@620 Digital Collection that seeks to tell one part of the story of St. Petersburg’s transformation into a city of the arts through the work of the Studio and its co-founder/artistic director; and the Peter Belmont-Preserve the ‘Burg Collection, which will document local historic preservation efforts within St. Petersburg and Pinellas County. Other significant collections include the John C. Briggs Collection of Ichthyology and the papers of Nelson Poynter, former publisher of the St. Petersburg Times, among other holdings.
Reporting directly to the Campus Library Dean, and indirectly to the Director, Special Collections at the USF Tampa Library, the Florida Studies Curator and Campus Archivist is responsible for all aspects of the St. Petersburg campus archives, special collections, and distinctive Florida Studies collections.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Plans, directs, manages, and sets strategic priorities and goals for the St. Petersburg campus archives and special collections.
- Accessions, processes, maintains, and updates archival material for both physical and digital collections using controlled vocabulary and best archival practices and preservation.
- Arranges, describes, and facilitates access to collections according to professional standards, including creating finding aids, bibliographies, research guides, and digital and physical displays/exhibitions.
- Works with the Campus Library Dean and other library, campus, and community partners to develop and promote distinctive research collections, with a particular focus on St. Petersburg, regional, and Florida history and the African American experience in the Tampa Bay region.
- Develops and maintains excellent donor relations and records, including throughout the lifecycle of the gift process.
- Works collaboratively across units and departments on the St. Petersburg, Tampa, and Sarasota-Manatee campuses, including with the counterpart Curator, Florida Studies on the Tampa campus, to enhance and expand access to distinctive collections related to the Tampa Bay region and Florida Studies.
- Provides research and instructional services for the University community, as well as the surrounding public community and external researchers for any needs related to NPML Special Collections and University Archives.
- Serves as liaison to the Florida Studies Program on the St. Petersburg campus, and provides outreach, instruction, and research support to students and faculty in the program.
- Establishes an inclusive vision for archives, special collections, and Florida Studies by fostering diverse and culturally rich collections for the St. Petersburg campus.
- Works with the NPML Digital Team and other multi-campus groups to determine policies and best practices for digital collections and digital access to archival content.
- Promotes campus archives and special collections through marketing, social media, and exhibits, as well as through community public speaking events for both on- and off-campus groups.
- Supervises archives and special collections staff, interns, student employees, and volunteers as appropriate/designated.
- Maintains an active program of professional development, scholarship, and service in areas of relevant expertise. Engages in research and publication as required for promotion.
Service and University Governance
Research
- contributes to the library profession through publications and presentations
POSITION QUALIFICATIONS:
MINIMUM:
- A PhD in a relevant field; OR a Master's degree from an ALA accredited program in Library and/or information science.
- At least two years of librarian, archivist, curatorial, or research experience with responsibilities in acquiring, maintaining and/or facilitating access to research collections and materials.
- Evidence of professional growth through publication and presentation, professional association activities, or other contributions to the field.
- Demonstrated ability to build and maintain a positive workplace culture, fostering and contributing to an environment of diversity, inclusion, and accessibility.
- Demonstrated ability to oversee and coordinate projects and personnel in a collaborative team environment.
- User-centered focus and demonstrated interest in supporting archival/special collections research, teaching, and outreach.
- Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal skills.
PREFERRED:
- Graduate degree in a relevant field such as History, English, Anthropology, Geography, Journalism, or Political Science or advanced coursework and/or certification in archival management or digital curation
- Demonstrated ability to oversee and coordinate projects and personnel in a collaborative team environment.
- Demonstrated record of innovation in developing, implementing, or promoting library/archival collections and services.
- Experience designing physical and/or digital exhibitions and display
Information for Applicants
Applications must be submitted through the Careers@USF website, Job ID 33594, and include a cover letter and CV. Please go to www.lib.usf.edu/employment for more information. We are open to all levels of excellence. USF is an equal opportunity, equal access academic institution that embraces diversity in the workplace.
The St. Petersburg campus of USF was built on the Indigenous homelands and resources of the Seminole, Miccosukee, and Tocobaga people as well as their ancestors going back over 10,000 years. We acknowledge the painful history of genocide and forced removal from their territory, and we honor and respect the many diverse Indigenous communities who continue to be connected to this land. For more information about our campus and the thriving arts and culture of St. Petersburg’s diverse communities, visit https://www.stpetersburg.usf.edu/about/index.aspx.