Description

Position Overview

Kenneth Spencer Research Library (KSRL) at the University of Kansas (KU) Libraries seeks a creative and collaborative curator for our established and growing African American Experience (AAE) Collections. These collections are a major area of research and focus, documenting the legacy of African American individuals, families, businesses, churches, and schools through substantial collections of correspondence, photographs, organizational, educational and business records, books, pamphlets, and newspapers. The curator will spearhead efforts to build and share collections that reflect the lives and experiences of African Americans in Kansas and the region. They will work with colleagues to develop an established, community-based collecting program that supports the teaching and research missions of the university. The curator will collaborate with KU faculty and other instructors teaching in varied subject areas, and with students and other scholars, to interpret the rich resources of the collection through instruction, reference service, and public outreach. Working collaboratively across the Libraries and the campus, the curator will also support and collaborate on robust cataloging and description, preservation, and digitization of collection materials.

KSRL has built collections related to Kansas and Kansans from all walks of life since its inception and has devoted significant resources to our African American Experience collections. Reporting to the Director Kenneth Spencer Research Library, the curator will also participate in the work of Kenneth Spencer Research Library and KU Libraries as a whole and may supervise student assistants or project staff. This position will work closely with the Kansas Collection Curator and Curator of Latino/a Collections. This on-site position will require periodic in-state travel and occasional work in the evenings or weekends.

This position requires a commitment to understanding Kansas cultures and the skills to be successful as part of a collaborative professional team.

This position requires occasional evening and weekend work along with some in-state overnight stays.

The successful candidate must be eligible to work in the U.S. by the effective date of the appointment. This is a full-time, 12-month, tenure-track faculty position. Rank considerations are based on professional performance, research, and service experience sufficient to qualify for appointment at the rank of Assistant Librarian or Associate Librarian.

See the Libraries Criteria for Academic Ranks document: http://policy.ku.edu/libraries/criteria-academic-ranks-library-faculty

Additional information about the Libraries promotion and tenure procedures can be found at the following website: https://policy.ku.edu/ku-libraries/promotion-and-tenure-procedures-faculty

Job Description

KU's excellence is a result of the rich tapestry of experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds of our faculty, staff, students, and colleagues from across our nation and the globe. At KU, we invest in continuous learning and growth by creating a climate where people engage in respectful dialogue and debate and support each other's success. We foster a culture of care where each person is seen, heard and valued. When people feel a true sense of belonging, we believe they are better able to reach their full potential and achieve remarkable things.

PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES (70%)

• Builds relationships with individuals, families, and social, business, and political communities across the state to develop African American Experience collections through purchases and donations

• Consults with and supports organizations, individuals, and communities that wish to preserve and document their collections locally

• Partners with library and university colleagues to integrate original resources and perspectives into classes across the KU curriculum, and to strengthen students' primary source literacy

• Participates in developing and delivering instructional and outreach programming and activities including classes and tours; physical and virtual exhibits; and posts for Spencer Library's shared blog

• Plans and staffs outreach events and activities to promote knowledge and use of the African American experience collections, including traveling exhibits and presentations to potential users and donors, groups, clubs, etc.

• Serves as a public point of contact for this collection, including inquiries from the media, and demonstrates the ability to advocate for the importance of historical materials in understanding the past, present, and future

• Shares in providing reference assistance to students, faculty, and the public, and consults on reference requests in assigned areas of responsibility

• Works collaboratively with colleagues across the Libraries to promote the collections through digital initiatives, social media, community events, K-12 outreach, tours, and other means.

• Works collaboratively as a member of project teams and other groups to advance the libraries' strategic priorities

• Works collaboratively with faculty and other librarians to design and deliver library instruction to students

RESEARCH (20%)

• Contributes to the profession's collective knowledge by engaging in scholarly research activity.

• Research may involve the publication of articles, books, book reviews, grant-supported inquiry, or editorial work (see Promotion and Tenure Procedures at KU, Spring 2017).

SERVICE (10%)

• Engages in service to the Libraries, the University and to professional organizations by participating in committee work, projects, and other contributory achievements.

(Service and research percentages may not ordinarily be less than 5% each, and will generally total between 10% and 20%)

Required Qualifications

Required Qualifications for All Candidates

ALA-accredited master's degree in Library/Information Science or equivalent from a foreign institution by date of appointment OR a PhD in library and information science from an LIS program that also offered an ALA-accredited master's degree at the time the PhD was awarded

Appointment at the Associate Librarian rank requires a review of the candidate's materials to ensure work at the level documented in KU Libraries Criteria for Academic Ranks of Library Faculty

This position requires a formal degree in the cited discipline area(s) to ensure that candidates have the foundational knowledge and skill set required to perform the duties of the position. The level of degree is based on accreditation requirements, institutional standards of academic and professional excellence, alignment with peer institution benchmarks, and contributes to the credibility and effectiveness of the role within the university community.

Additional Candidate Instruction

Applicants should attach a cover letter, resume/CV, and contact information for three professional references (including at least one previous or current supervisor) to this online application. Please use your cover letter to address how you meet the required and preferred qualifications. An online application must be completed to be considered for this position.

Review of applications will begin on January 19th, 2026. Please submit a complete application no later than midnight on January 18th for consideration.

Disclaimer

The University of Kansas prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, ancestry, disability, status as a veteran, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, gender identity, gender expression, and genetic information in the university's programs and activities. Retaliation is also prohibited by university policy. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies and procedures and is the Title IX Coordinator for all KU and KUMC campuses: Associate Vice Chancellor for the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX, civilrights@ku.edu, Room 1082, Dole Human Development Center, 1000 Sunnyside Avenue, Lawrence, KS 66045, 785-864-6414, 711 TTY. Reports can be submitted by contacting the Title IX Coordinator as provided herein or using the Title IX online report form and complaints can be submitted with the Title IX Coordinator or using the Title IX online complaint form.