Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, or Professor

Curator Of Rare Books And Mississippiana

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 a librarian, archivist, public historian, or museum professional who is 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's fastest-riding research libraries.

Rather than simply maintaining established collections, you will play a central role in developing new collecting priorities, connecting distinctive resources with scholars 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 an unusual opportunity to influence collection development, strengthen community partnerships, mentor students, contribute to scholarship, and help define the future of special collections at a university making substantial investments in research excellence and cultural stewardship. This is a 12-month, tenure-track faculty appointment reporting to the 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.

Salary Grade: 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-grant institution 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 growth and 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 Archives and 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 the world.

Anticipated Appointment Date:
August 16, 2026

Tenure Track Status:
Tenured or Tenure-Track

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead the development, stewardship, and long-term growth of the Rare Books and Mississippiana collections, including genealogy resources, historic newspapers, and microfilm collections.
• Provide research consultations, instructional sessions, and reference services that connect students, faculty, visiting scholars, and community researchers with primary source materials.
• Collaborate with faculty across disciplines to integrate rare books 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 responsible deaccessioning.
• Supervise graduate assistants, student employees, interns, and volunteers.
• Collaborate with colleagues across the Libraries to advance digital scholarship, public engagement, and research support initiatives.
• 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 Room back up service rotation.

Minimum Qualifications:

Master's degree in library…