Montana State University values diverse perspectives and is committed to continually supporting, promoting and building an inclusive and culturally diverse campus environment. MSU recognizes the importance of work-life integration and strives to be responsive to the needs of dual career couples.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Conduct tailored, course-integrated library instruction for MSU classes to support transformative learning experiences supported by archives and special collections.
- Teach workshops that are accessible to the citizens of Montana and beyond.
- Create guides, conduct research consultations, and provide prompt accurate assistance in response to requests.
- Promote use of and engagement with the collections by MSU students and faculty and by citizens of Montana through programming and outreach.
- Describe archival and digital collections using national and international standards.
- Coordinate with other library departments to prepare books and archival collections for use and identify and address preservation needs.
- Use both traditional and innovative means to develop the collections according to the collection development policy, ethical standards, and capacity for responsible stewardship.
- Write grant and other proposals as appropriate, develop and sustain relationships with current and potential donors.
Required Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills
- Master’s degree from an American Library Association-accredited graduate program or a terminal degree in a field appropriate to the position that includes specialized training in archival theory and practice.
- Demonstrated awareness of the history of the Rocky Mountain region including familiarity with popular creative works, journalistic endeavors, and scholarly products.
Preferred Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills
- Demonstrated instruction and teaching experience applying active learning pedagogy.
- Demonstrated experience that reflects commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion.
- Demonstrated commitment to collaborative approaches within a department, organization, or beyond.
- At least two years of experience working in a library, archive, or other cultural heritage organization.
The Successful Candidate Will
- Be an effective communicator and contribute positively to the academic success of Montana State University students.
- Be a curious individual who seeks out and applies new skills and knowledge.
- Work well in a team-oriented context where we develop and follow consistent approaches to our shared work.
- Have an interest in both traditional and forward-thinking approaches to the department’s shared work.
- Have a strong interest in supporting the land grant mission of MSU and outreach to academic units and citizens of Montana.
- Foster an environment that is committed to helping students, faculty, and staff from diverse backgrounds succeed.
- Collaborate with other departments on campus and with other entities in the community, state, region, and nation to advance the library’s mission.
- Work as part of department team and contribute consistently and positively to the shared priorities of the department.
Position Special Requirements/Additional Information
This job description should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements, but a general description of the job. Nothing contained herein restricts Montana State University’s rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.
Physical Demands
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodations. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
The Department
Archives and Special Collections (ASC) stewards the unique collections of MSU Library that represent the cultural and scientific heritage of Montana and the Rocky Mountain Region. We collaborate with all library departments and entities across campus to develop and expose our collections, create transformative learning experiences, and promote inquiry into the past, present, and future. We facilitate empathy, cultural connection, and respectful understanding of diverse experiences.
The College
The MSU Library is a dynamic, adaptive, and responsive research library. We aspire to build innovative digital and physical spaces where our diverse communities can access and apply information to grow intellectually, build meaningful collaborations, communicate ideas, and envision a better future for Montana and beyond. We are proud to serve the university and the people of Montana, and we strive to do so while embodying the core values of the profession of librarianship and MSU. Our values reflect how we carry forward our strategic and operational decisions: we aim to build a more informed, thoughtful, and just world while striving to cultivate an environment that supports the potential for finding joy and meaning in our work. The library has a full range of resources and services for students and faculty, including books and electronic resources, special collections, public computer workstations, printers, scanners, technology-rich group study rooms, quiet study areas, information instruction, data and publication services, and technology and research consultations.
The MSU Library is committed to providing access to information resources and supporting student and faculty success through instructional services and research assistance. Our library faculty are campus leaders and active within state, regional, and national library communities.
The MSU Library has around 50 faculty and staff employees, including 14 tenure-track faculty, 33 staff members, and 25-30 student employees.