Special Collections Librarian Position Open

Special Collections Librarian Position Open

About the USGA:

The United States of Golf Association (USGA) promotes and conserves the true spirit of the game of golf as embodied in its ancient and honorable traditions. It acts in the best interests of the game for the continued enjoyment of those who love and play it.

 

The USGA serves the game most visibly through the conduct of America’s national championships, including the U.S. Open, U.S. Women’s Open, U.S. Senior Open and 10 amateur championships. Together with The R&A, the Association provides governance for the game worldwide, jointly administering the Rules of Golf, establishing equipment standards, and formulating the Rules of Amateur Status. The Association also maintains the USGA Handicap and Course Rating Systems, develops and promotes sustainable golf course management practices, and celebrates the history of the game.

 

The USGA’s Library, an integral part of the USGA Museum’s function, is one of the premier sports archives in the world. In addition to being a central repository for documents that chronicle the history of the game, the Library serves as a resource to USGA staff, media, writers, filmmakers, researchers and scholars, avid golfers, USGA Member Clubs, allied associations and many others around the globe.

 

 

Library and Archive Collections:

There are more than 76,000 items catalogued in the Library’s archives with an annual growth rate of approximately 10%. Included in these collections are books, periodicals, letters, documents and personal papers of writers, golfers, allied institutions and significant figures in the sport, as well as USGA institutional historical records.

 

Location:

Far Hills, NJ

Position Summary:

This position is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for an experienced hands-on library professional to oversee one of the world’s premier sports libraries. The Special Collections Librarian will work with the Museum Director to develop, supervise and execute the tactical plans that will to ensure the USGA’s Library remains the leading golf research center in the world.

 

The Librarian will use best archival practices to process the collections; support researchers; catalog books, periodicals, and other written materials on a day-to-day basis; identify materials needing repair and conservation; ensure use of proper preservation techniques; help prepare information and collections for USGA content; and perform any other function necessary to the Library’s operation. This will include developing, documenting, prioritizing and administering procedures, policies and guidelines for the use of materials in the Library.

 

The Special Collections Librarian will also maintain a database of all archived material within the Library and propose changes and updates as appropriate to the existing system. This position will have formal training and an understanding of current best-practices in Library Science and knowledge of digital technologies and resources. The successful candidate will be knowledgeable about the acquisition and preservation of digital records and will be asked to develop and implement a comprehensive digital collections plan for the Library.

 

What You Can Expect

  • Execute day-to-day library functions related to acquisitions (print and digital), cataloguing, preservation, minor conservation and directing Assistant Librarian, consultants and vendors
  • Responsible for acquisitions, cataloging, preservation and maintenance, reference requests, records management, technology, digitization, security and coordination with internal and external users
  • Manages the Library’s tactical planning, archival practices, outreach and collaboration with other research institutions
  • Oversees  a librarian setting daily responsibilities, determining project priorities, tracking critical metrics and implementing tactical planning
  • Develops and implements a Digital Collection Management program that addresses emerging trends and technologies in special libraries
  • Represents the Library regarding policy and budget proposals
  • Monitors, analyzes, evaluates and communicates staffing, space, equipment and fiscal needs of the Library
  • Establishes policies and procedures for new acquisitions and oversees the collection of original historical documents and reference material
  • Determines needs for collection management system and supervises implementation in collaboration with technical staff
  • Develops and carries out best-practices, policies and procedures for the Library
  • Determines the research value of documents or library materials offered to the Library (in collaboration with the Director, Assistant Director and Senior Curator/Historian) and assesses donation of materials that fits the mission of the USGA Library as defined by the collections development plan.
  • Works with donors to secure materials
  • Trains/instructs USGA staff in library search and database techniques
  • Oversees interns, specialty vendors/consultants and volunteers based on the needs of the Library
  • Directs entire USGA staff to engage in proactive documentation on Association records
  • Attends local, national and international professional meetings and establishes and maintains relationships with other institutions
  • Represents the USGA Museum and Association to the general public and to the scholarly community at large
  • Additional duties assigned as needed

 

What You Bring to the USGA

 

  • Master’s degree in Library Science, Archival Management or related field is required.
  • 3-5 years professional library and/or archival experience with increasing levels of supervisory responsibility and operational decision making in a corporate, museum or special collections library
  • Strong planning and communication skills
  • Expert knowledge of archival principles and practices
  • Knowledge of golf and golf history is highly desirable
  • Knowledge of preservation and conservation standards for library and archival collections
  • Experience in information technology applications in a Special Collections environment, including digitization technologies, collection management systems and digital asset management systems
  • Experience in the preparation of finding aids and other discovery tools

 

Preferred Skills and Abilities:

  • Detail-oriented with ability to organize and prioritize tasks to meet deadlines and manage multiple projects concurrently
  • Skill in managing multiple projects concurrently
  • Highly motivated individual who enjoys a high level of responsibility and accountability
  • Outstanding analytical, oral and written communication skills, organizational skills and interpersonal skills
  • Outstanding team orientation, flexibility, and ability to work both independently and collaboratively
  • Ability to interact with Museum colleagues, donors, the general public, academics, students, scholars, historians and writers
  • Ability to work in a fast paced environment
  • Ability to lift 40 pounds unassisted

 

To Apply:

 

 

Please click the following link Special Collections Librarian

  

The United States Golf Association is an Equal Opportunity Employer

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