Associate Librarian - Rare Books Curator

Associate Librarian - Rare Books Curator Position Overview

Organization: University Libraries

Title: Associate Librarian - Rare Books Curator

The UW comprises campuses in Seattle, Bothell and Tacoma, as well as a world-class medical center. For more information, please visit the UW homepage . Serving all three UW campuses, the Libraries is an integral partner in the education, research, clinical care, and service mission of the University. Beyond the strength of its extensive collections and digital resources, the Libraries is recognized for its excellent programs and services, innovative learning and research spaces, faculty partnerships, global reach, assessment efforts and diverse award-winning staff.

The Libraries is committed to integrating equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility into all aspects of our work and organizational culture. Learn more about the UW Libraries online.

SPECIAL COLLECTIONS

Special Collections provides collections and services for rare books and book arts, Pacific Northwest history, historical visual and audiovisual materials, the institutional archives of the University of Washington, the Labor Archives of Washington, and the Ethnomusicology Archives.

Reporting to the Associate Dean for Distinctive Collections and working in close collaboration with colleagues across Special Collections and the Libraries, the Rare Books Curator provides vision, leadership, and strategic direction for the Rare Books and Book Arts Collection. Informed by emerging trends and developments in special collections, archives, and relevant scholarly fields, the Curator collaborates with library colleagues, academic departments, and local communities to ensure that collections, services, and programs align with professional best practices and effectively support teaching, learning, and research in an inclusive environment.

A central component of this role is providing instruction including class sessions, workshops, and other hands-on engagements with primary materials.

The Curator leads the development, stewardship, and interpretation of the Libraries’ rare book collection, with strengths in book arts, the history of printing, nineteenth-century American literature, historical children's literature, and other areas. The position fosters partnerships and develops programming with faculty, students, and campus and community partners. Through exhibitions, guest speakers, seminars, digital humanities initiatives, and other collaborative projects, the Curator actively promotes engagement with the Libraries’ rare book, print, and archival collections.

In addition, the Curator cultivates, maintains, and strengthens donor relationships to advance philanthropic support for rare books and book arts initiatives.

Successful candidates will demonstrate a deep, scholarly understanding of bibliography, history of the book, book arts and artist’s books, and the rare book market. This role also requires a collaborative, team‑oriented approach, with the ability to work effectively across organizational units, build strong professional relationships, and contribute to a culture of shared problem‑solving and open communication.

This position is eligible for hybrid work (on campus and remote).

• As a member of the curatorial team, carries out collection management, development, and acquisition of materials to support teaching and research; oversees purchasing for specific endowments and funds associated with the collections; serves as the unit’s fund manager on a rotating basis
• Provides research support along with additional specialized assistance to staff, researchers, students, and the public, drawing on deep subject expertise
• Cultivates and maintains productive relationships with antiquarian booksellers, the book arts community, and donors
• Manages correspondence, invoices, and gifts paperwork in a professional manner consistent with University and Libraries policies
• Develops and refines collecting priorities for rare books and the history of printing that anticipates future scholarly needs,…