History of Medicine, Special Collections Coordinator

$60,000 - $87,000/Yr

University Of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh, PA

Full-time - Entry Level

Pittsburgh, PA

Educational Services

About the position

The History of Medicine and Special Collections Coordinator is responsible for the overall management, development, and promotion of the Health Sciences Library System's (HSLS) historical collections and programs which includes more than 10,000 rare medical books and manuscripts, as well as print and unique materials related to local medical research and more than 10,000 secondary sources in HSLS's Medical Humanities collection. This position leads efforts in curating, digitizing, utilizing, and promoting historical health sciences resources in support of health sciences research, education, and engagement. Working in close collaboration with the Associate Director for Digital Library Services, the Digital Library Services Librarian, liaison librarians, and other key stakeholders, the Coordinator will spearhead innovative initiatives that enhance the visibility and impact of the collections and integrate them into the broader academic and healthcare communities. This is an appointment stream faculty role offering a rewarding opportunity to contribute to our innovative library environment at a leading research institution. Pitt provides an outstanding benefits package, including comprehensive medical plans, tuition remission, life insurance, optional dental and vision coverage, a contributory retirement plan, and more-making it one of the best in the region.

Responsibilities

• Design and lead strategic initiatives that expand the reach of the library's historical collections, including developing interdisciplinary projects and partnerships within and beyond the University of Pittsburgh.
• Curate and develop the library's history of medicine collection materials, including rare books, manuscripts, photographs, and other archival materials, physical items, and multimedia resources related to the history of medicine.
• Acquire new materials through purchase or donation, ensuring that the collection is diverse, comprehensive, and aligned with the needs and interests of the schools of the health sciences and HSLS.
• Provide assistance and service to internal and external audiences seeking information on the history of medicine and special collections, including locating resources, answering inquiries, and assisting with research projects.
• Offer specialized expertise and guidance on the use of historical materials, archives, and primary sources in research and scholarship.
• Develop and implement physical and virtual exhibits to enhance collection use and to introduce materials and collections to new audiences.
• Develop and implement evaluation strategies, metrics, and benchmarks to measure programmatic success and impact.
• Develop and deliver instructional sessions, workshops, and training programs for students, faculty, and library patrons.
• Create educational materials in a variety of modalities to support self-directed learning and exploration of History of Medicine/Special Collections resources.
• In collaboration with the Digital Library Services Librarian, develop digital initiatives such as virtual exhibits and online learning modules to increase access to and engagement with the collections.
• Collaborate with colleagues and stakeholders to promote awareness and access to digital collections through webpages on the HSLS website, HSLS Update newsletter articles, social media, and educational programs.
• Collaborate with the HSLS Metadata Librarian to facilitate cataloging and classification of historical materials using appropriate cataloging standards and metadata schemas.
• Implement preservation best practices and guidelines for handling, storage, and digitization of fragile or rare materials.
• Collaborate with external conservation specialists to assess, preserve, and protect historical materials from deterioration, damage, and technical obsolescence.
• Provide training, mentoring, and professional development opportunities for library staff, interns, or student employees.
• Collaborate with HSLS liaison librarians across the schools of the health sciences to promote awareness of HSLS's history of medicine and special collections.
• Collaborate with academic departments to identify opportunities for integrating historical and special collections materials into curricula and research projects.
• Stay current with trends, developments, and best practices in the field of medical history, librarianship, and digital humanities.

Requirements

• Master's degree in Library Science, History, Medical Humanities, Museum Studies, or related field; PhD preferred.
• Experience working with historical materials, archival collections, or special collections in a library, museum, or cultural heritage institution.
• Knowledge of medical history, archival principles, and best practices in collection development, cataloging, and reference services.
• Familiarity with cataloging standards, metadata schemas, (e.g., MARC, Dublin Core, OCLC), and integrated library management systems.
• Strong communication, interpersonal, and customer service skills, with the ability to work effectively with diverse groups of users, colleagues, and stakeholders.
• Understanding of the use of digital technologies, digital preservation tools, and online platforms for accessing and managing historical materials.
• Commitment to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in library collections, services, and programming.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical plans
• Tuition remission
• Life insurance
• Optional dental and vision coverage
• Contributory retirement plan
• Generous leave policy including 20 days of paid vacation and 4 personal days
• Flexible work arrangements which include the option to work up to 15 hours remotely/per week