Andrew W. Mellon Curator of Rare Books and Prints

The Folger Shakespeare Library knows that an exceptional staff is the backbone of any great organization. We hire exceptionally qualified individuals who are committed to the mission, vision, and values of our organization. Our recruitment process strives to be interactive, accessible, and responsive. Once employed, the Folger provides a generous compensation, leave, and benefits package, as well as many opportunities for personal and professional growth.

Job Description:

The Folger Shakespeare Library, on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, is seeking an established curator to join the Collections division as our next Andrew W. Mellon Curator of Rare Books and Prints
. The Curator, reporting to the Associate Librarian for Care and Development, oversees and develops the Folger's world-renowned collection of 16th- and 17th-century books and prints, ensuring its care, accessibility, and growth in alignment with the Folger's priorities. Working collaboratively across departments, this position plays a vital role in shaping the future of one of the world's most significant collections of early modern materials.

The Folger Shakespeare Library holds one of the world's largest collections of materials relating to Shakespeare and his works, from the 16th century to the present day, alongside an extraordinary array of books, manuscripts, and prints from the 1500s to the early 1700s. The collection includes about 260,000 printed books; 60,000 manuscripts; and 90,000 prints, drawings, photographs, paintings, and other works of art, as well as extensive performance history holdings from playbills to films, recordings, and costumes.

In addition, the Folger's collection encompasses more than 100,000 monographs and periodicals published between the 1830s and 2025, as well as electronic resources, supporting scholarship on Shakespeare, his works and impact, and the early modern world. Find out more on the Folger's website.

The Andrew W. Mellon Curator of Rare Book and Prints leads the development, stewardship, interpretation, and promotion of the Folger's early modern printed collections. In partnership with the Librarian, curatorial and exhibition teams, the Curator shapes collection development priorities, advances scholarly and public engagement, and champions innovative approaches to access and interpretation. This role also contributes to institutional initiatives by connecting the collection to exhibitions, research programs, and educational and public outreach that illuminate the continuing resonance of early modern materials in contemporary life.

A successful candidate will be a recognized leader in early modern books or prints with deep scholarly expertise, curatorial experience, and a collaborative spirit. They will bring both intellectual rigor and creative vision with the ability to connect historic materials to diverse audiences and current conversations. The Curator will demonstrate a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in all aspects of their work.

They will thrive in a dynamic, cross-disciplinary environment that values curiosity, communication, and shared stewardship.

The schedule for this role is Monday-Friday 8:45 am-4:45 pm with occasional evening or weekends for events, as scheduled. This position will be primarily on-site with the possibility of hybrid modality. The selected candidate must be within a commutable distance to the DC office (DC, MD, VA) by their start date.

Health & safety:
The health and well-being of all staff, contractors, and visitors is our top priority. While the Folger no longer requires masks or vaccinations (except for AEA spaces), we support and encourage individuals to take the safety precautions they are most comfortable with, and we ask that individual choices are respected. The Folger offers organization-funded healthcare plans for full-time staff and extensive leave options to all staff in the case of any health issues that arise.

Compensation:

• This is a semi-monthly-paid salary position, with a pay range of $90,000-$100,000.

• Total compensation includes an extensive benefits plan, including fully-covered health, dental, and vision insurance…