Head of Research Services, Special Collections - Nelib

Head of Research Services, Special Collections

The Boston University Libraries seek a dynamic, service-oriented, collaborative leader for our Head of Research Services position, to lead the research services unit providing users with access to and engagement with the library’s distinctive and special collections. Reporting to the Associate University Librarian for Special Collections, this position will lead the creation of a user-focused environment that is positive, informative, and inclusive, aiming to build a global community of students, scholars, and the public who engage with the Howard Gotlieb Archival Research Center, University Archives, Nursing Archives, Rare Books collections and other special collections. A key aspect of the role, which serves as a manager and mentor to 3 archivists, an archival assistant, as well as interns and student workers, is to articulate and implement a team vision that centers equitable, consistent access in a supportive environment for all users.

The Head of Research Services will:

• Program administration: Lead the Special Collections research services program, overseeing instruction, faculty and student engagement, and both onsite and remote reference services. Manage, coach, and develop a team comprising three archivists and one support staff member, field study interns, and student workers to deliver instruction and reference services.
• Reading room and reference services: Oversee researcher use of special collection materials, ensuring effective circulation of special collections materials. Deliver consistent reading room service hours to researchers, identifying and resolving operational and capacity gaps as needed in partnership with library administration. Enhance workflows and improve services for both onsite and remote researchers to ensure equitable access to collections. Collaborate with reference staff in the African Studies Library and Music Library to foster a community of practice for special collections reference services across all libraries. Create and maintain reference tools, aids, guides, webpages, and tutorials to enhance online learning and engagement with collections.
• Instruction and pedagogical innovation: Oversee the planning, development, implementation, promotion, and assessment of both online and in-person instruction programs, including orientation, in-depth instruction, and research education sessions for students and faculty. Coordinate special collections outreach efforts with academic departments and faculty, ensuring integration into curricula in collaboration with access services, liaison, and academic engagement teams. Engage with curriculum leadership to tailor instructional offerings and support innovative strategies for integrating archives into academic programs. Support digital scholarship by developing pathways for faculty and student engagement with special collections, in collaboration with internal and external partners such as Digital Ventures, the Boston University Center for Humanities, and other university programs. Oversee the creation and management of faculty, graduate, and undergraduate research awards and teaching fellowships to promote research in the university’s special collections and to foster high-impact, experiential learning opportunities in diverse work environments at BU. Advise on collection development priorities based on faculty research and teaching priorities.
• Collaboration and professional practice: Collaborate in the broader professional academic library community. Pursue professional development and skills training to meet emerging and ongoing needs from the university community. Actively participate in relevant professional communities, including subject and functionally focused organizations. Participate in working groups, committees, and other service opportunities as a representative of library research services. Collaborate on intramural events with departments or programs.

Required Skills

• Master's degree in library or archival studies.
• 5-7 years of relevant experience.
• Demonstrated leadership experience in a research services environment, preferably within a special collections or archival setting.
• Strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, with the ability to implement these principles in service delivery.
• Proven experience in managing and developing teams, as well as in planning and assessing instructional and reference services.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with a track record of successful collaboration with diverse stakeholders.
• Advanced knowledge of special collections management, digital scholarship, and academic engagement.