Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library has an immediate opening for an experienced library professional and scholar to serve as a leader and advocate for the Winterthur Library. Winterthur is an extraordinary center for the appreciation and study of material culture, decorative arts, conservation, gardens and landscapes, and interdisciplinary cultural heritage. The Head Librarian position offers a unique opportunity to join an established institution at an exciting time of strategic growth to collaborate with Winterthur leadership and staff to craft a fresh vision and culture while honoring the strengths of this internationally renowned independent research library. As a member of the senior leadership team, they will have to opportunity to shape a staffing plan to complement and reinforce the existing full-time staff of two employees.
The ideal candidate is an innovative and service-oriented leader who delights in collections work and historical inquiry and who brings both vision and extensive Library and information management skills to bear on the Library collections as an essential component of Winterthur. The collections include hundreds of thousands of items, from rare seventeenth-century design books to trade catalogues for twentieth century church fans. Complemented by the museum and garden collections, the Winterthur Library offers ample opportunities for expanding access and enhancing interpretation to make a positive impact and innovation in humanities, cultural heritage, and the arts. The Head Librarian will collaborate often with conservators, curators, educators, and the full range of talented staff and volunteers at Winterthur.
The Head Librarian is a highly visible advocate for the Library within Winterthur and outside the institution and has an opportunity to build on strong relationships with communities ranging from schoolchildren to senior scholars. They will teach and mentor
students in two world-class graduate programs, the Winterthur Program in American Material Culture (WPAMC) and the Winterthur/University of Delaware Program in Art Conservation (WUDPAC), partner with conservation staff to support emerging professions through
initiatives such the HBCU Library Alliance Summer Conservation/Internship program, and provide key support for scholars and professionals who use the Library in creative and intellectually groundbreaking ways through the visiting research fellowship program.
The position requires a nimble leader who enjoys the quiet energy of a multifaceted work environment. Work at Winterthur is fun and intellectually stimulating and the Head Librarian has an opportunity to be a leader at the center of many institutional activities.
The Head Librarian will work with leadership, staff and Trustees to develop comprehensive strategies for philanthropy and other forms of support, including driving innovation in areas such as digital collections development, scholarly communication, user-centered
services, rights management, archival processing, collections development, facilities management and collections care, diversity and inclusion, change management, employee engagement, and the ongoing professional development of staff.
We encourage individuals of diverse backgrounds, cultures, experiences, identities, and abilities to apply for this extraordinary opportunity to join an evolving Library and Winterthur community whose core values include agility, excellence, innovation, integrity, inclusion, and transparency.
Formally founded in 1951, and established within the current space in 1969, the Winterthur Library is a globally recognized independent research library and is one of the most important centers of scholarship and learning about material culture, decorative
arts, domestic life, craft, conservation, and materials relating to American history in a global context. Winterthur’s library resides in the Louise du Pont Crowninshield building on the Winterthur campus located within 60 acres of naturalistic gardens nestled
in the Brandywine Valley and near the vibrant city of Wilmington, Delaware.
Principal Responsibilities
QUALIFICATIONS
Minimum Experience: Master of Library Science (MLS, MSLS, MLIS) with 5-8 years progressive work experience in a research library or with special collections
Preferred Experience: Master of Library Science (MLS, MSLS, MLIS) plus advanced studies in History, American Studies, Art History, Art Conservation of related field. 8+ years of progressive work experience in a research library or special collections
WORKING ENVIRONMENT/ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Compensation: $75,000 - $82,000
Benefits: Including, but not limited to, medical, dental, and vision insurance; generous paid time off plan; 403b with employer match for eligible employees.
Work Schedule: Monday–Friday 8:30 am–4:30 pm, plus one additional monthly Saturday. Occasional evening and weekend work as necessary to accommodate programs, meetings and events.
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