Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, or Professor

Position Function:

Mississippi State University Libraries invites applications for an innovative, collaborative, and forward-thinking Curator of Rare Books and Mississippiana. This is an exceptional opportunity for alibrarian, archivist, public historian, or museum professional whois passionate about preserving cultural heritage while expanding access to unique collections through teaching, research,exhibitions, and public engagement.

As Curator, you will help shape the future of one of the nation'sfastest-riding research libraries. Rather than simply maintaining established collections, you will play a central role in developingnew collecting priorities, connecting distinctive resources withscholars and students, and creating innovative opportunities for discovery that advance Mississippi State University's research,teaching, and land-grant mission.

The Curator of Rare Books and Mississippiana will join an ambitious and collaborative faculty dedicated to building the next generation of research library services. This position offers and unusualopportunity to influence collection development, strengthencommunity partnerships, mentor students, contribute to scholarship,and help define the future of special collections at a universitymaking substantial investments in research excellence and culturalstewardship.

This is a 12-month, tenure-track faculty appointment reporting tothe Associate Dean of Archives and Special Collections. Faculty members contribute through librarianship, scholarship, and professional service while working in a collaborative environment that values innovation, intellectual curiosity, and student success.

UC

For salary grade UC, these positions are "Unclassified" and salary ranges are determined by the hiring department.

Mississippi State University is a Carnegie R1, land-grantinstitution committed to solving complex challenges through research, education, and service. As the newest member of the Association of Research Libraries (ARL), Mississippi State University Libraries is undergoing a remarkable period of growthand transformation. Over the past several years, the University Libraries have reimagined spaces, expanded research support services, invested in new faculty and professional positions,strengthened digital scholarship initiatives, and elevated Archivesand Special Collections as a strategic priority for the university.

MSU Archives and Special Collections is home to nationally and internationally recognized resources. These collections are increasingly integrated into classroom instruction, faculty research, public programming, exhibitions, and digital initiatives that serve researchers across the nation and around theworld.

August 16, 2026

Tenured or Tenure-Track

• Lead the development, stewardship, and long-term growth of theRare Books and Mississippiana collections, including genealogyresources, historic newspapers, and microfilm collections.
• Provide research consultations, instructional sessions, and reference services that connect students, faculty, visitingscholars, and community researchers with primary source materials.
• Collaborate with faculty across disciplines to integrate rarebooks and special collections into teaching, learning, and original research.
• Develop exhibitions, public programs, and outreach initiatives that broaden awareness and use of the collections.
• Oversee collection management activities, including acquisition,preservation, description, access, and responsibledeaccessioning.
• Supervise graduate assistants, student employees, interns, and volunteers.
• Collaborate with colleagues across the Libraries to advancedigital scholarship, public engagement, and research supportinitiatives.
• Maintain an active program of scholarship and professional service consistent with a tenure-track faculty appointment.
• Contribute to the delivery of high-quality public services by participating in the Archives and Special Collections Reading Roomback up service rotation.

• Master's degree in library and information studies or doctoral degree in museum studies, public history, or a related field.

• Teaching experience, experience with exhibits, and/or experience supervising students and volunteers.

• Knowledge of best practices and professional standards for thecuration of rare books and archival materials (care/handling,cataloging, preservation, etc.)
• Must be detail oriented and have excellent communication skills(oral/written/interpersonal)
• Must have project management skills(organizing/planning/prioritizing/problem solving)
• Must be able to work well with deadlines; work independently; andwork collaboratively with diverse colleagues and stakeholders
• Ability to meet promotion and tenure requirements as a libraryfaculty member
• Knowledge of the history of the book, print as material culture,and/or Mississippi history
• Knowledge of book…